The greatest marketing tool ever invented may be the basketball bracket pool. I don't know the history of how the whole thing started but whoever came up with the idea of having people bet on games by guessing winners for the whole tournament before the thing even starts is genius. It was probably CBS. Anyways, having your own picks for each game gives you something and someone to root for even if you don't like the team. Brackets get viewers invested and keep them coming back to watch more games. You personally have stock in the outcome of the games not just because it's your alma mater. Who cares if you don't know what a box and one defense is, but you sure as hell care about the red team beating the blue team so you can win $250 in your office pool.

I could care less about all the reports about how productivity across the country dramatically decreases during the tournament. Hell, it should decrease. The tournament is awesome and if companies choose not to use it as a moral or team building tool then shame on them. Of course I'll be checking scores at my desk and worrying about whether my upset pick has enough left in the tank to make a comeback in the second half. Bosses could use the opportunity to build camaraderie by shooting the shit about the tournament rather than restricting access and denouncing such a wonderful event.

And the phenomenon is only going to get bigger. Companies should just embrace the tournament to get ahead of the curve; book the conference room, order pizza, put the game on the big screen and invite employees to stop in throughout the day to check a score, have some lunch or just take a much needed break from work that's probably just bullshit to start with anyway. [Continue to nod your head]

Now, for some more technical analysis. With brackets being out for a couple days, I've been able to digest some information and I really have no gripes about seeding, "snubs," or anything of that nature. I trust the committee to do their job and believe they did. Prognosticators, especially Joe Lundari at ESPN, founder of "Bracketology," need to chill out and just enjoy the tournament for what it is. I know you get paid to do it but is that really how you're going to frame your career? Off three weeks out of the year? Really? It's basketball, not a nuclear holocaust.

As for general advice when filling out a bracket, here's some uneducated lessons I've learned over the years. While it's always crucial to pick a couple upsets, they rarely go past the Sweet 16 so take it easy on anyone seeded 7 or below. Number one seeds unusually make it pretty far too since they have the easiest path. And I hate people who say they pick their teams by mascots, colors, geographic locations, etc. (a.k.a. women-do your homework or just have your boyfriend/dad fill out your bracket). Also, don't be a homer. If money is involved, pick with your head, not your heart. For example, I like the Connecticut Huskies but don't think they're going to make it past UCLA in the Sweet 16. If I were a homer who had undying faith in my team I would pick them to win the National Title. But realistically, I don't think it's going to happen. I'd love it if it did happen, but I'm not putting money on it.

As for specifics, my Final Four is UCLA, Texas, Tennessee and Kansas. It's not that I love these teams, they just had the favorable match-ups and I went with who I thought would win in my gut-no over thinking. People who do that are on ESPN and finish last in their pool. I've picked UCLA to win it all but I've now heard about a key injury to one of their big men so my pick is in doubt. Oh well, I'm sticking with it.

Three teams I'm banking on going far on upset potential are Notre Dame, West Virginia and Kansas St. I've watched all three teams several times throughout the season and each have a stud on their front lines that can take over a game-Joe Alexander on West Virginia, Michael Beasley on Kansas St. and Luke Harongody for Notre Dame. Each could go off for 30 each game and carry their teams. I got burnt with the theory last year going all in with Texas and Kevin Durant but hey, new year, new season. My bracket will probably be shot after the first weekend and UCONN will probably lose in an upset but whatever happens, it's sure going to be a great few weeks of basketball.

For my entire bracket click HERE.