Ernie Johnson Talks NCAA Tournament Picks, Caitlin Clark, And Chicken Wings Ahead Of March Madness (Interview)

Legendary broadcaster Ernie Johnson is once again in the studio for March Madness this season.

Ahead of the big tournament, we were able to sit down with Johnson, who is working with Buffalo Wild Wings to promote their March Madness tournament, in which you make picks against an actual Buffalo named Jack on BeattheBuffalo.com, to get his picks on the NCAA tournament and to talk chicken wings.

Considering you cover the NBA on a full-time basis, at one point of the college basketball season do you begin to take a look at college basketball?

“Early season, not a whole lot because we’re just getting into the NBA season, and then really, as the calendar moves on, you start paying more attention. When the conference games get started, you start paying more attention, and then you really start diving in January and February. I have packets for every game that’s going to be played Thursday and Friday, and I’ve been doing these for years and I basically update my files on all these teams. So I’ve got files on about over 200 teams over the last dozen years that might make it, and then you just update the ones that do make it. So the prep is unbelievable. And from Sunday night, from selection Sunday, as I’m putting these things together, it’s like I need to walk outside every now and then just to get air and clear my head because there are a lot of numbers that I’m crunching and facts and figures.”

Does all the prep work and research help with your bracket?

“No, it’s helped me with our shows, but it never helps me with the bracket. Whoever said the less you know, the better off you are is absolutely right, and it’s funny because my sister Chris has a bracket and she has a pool that she puts on every year for about 50 people, and it’s just for fun, it’s just for bragging rights, and all of these friends of hers are like, hey, it’s not fair that you have your brother in this thing because he’s on TV talking about it, and I’ve only won it once. The rest of the time is like I’m looking up at everybody else. So it remains to be seen exactly how much help it is. All the work I put into it, because sometimes you’d look at it and think I’d never seen a game”

So what are your picks this year for the NCAA Tournament on the men’s side?

“Here’s the deal. I know UConn’s going to get there, even though I really like Iowa State in that bracket. Purdue is not going to get there. Tennessee’s coming out of there. Houston, as good as they play defensively, is not going to get there. Kentucky is going to get them.

“And then the other one, I’m kind of leaning North Carolina’s way, but there’s some danger to be had out there in that can. And again, so much can happen. Health is so important to me. As long as UConn is trotting out those same guys every night. Nobody can beat them”

On the women’s side, is this Caitlin Clark’s year, who do you have over there?

“Hey, you know what? The way Dawn Staley’s team (South Carolina) plays and that win over Tennessee the other day with that three at the buzzer from somebody who’d never hit a three, they’re 32-0, and they’re going to be really tough. From a selfish standpoint, I want to see Caitlin Clark in that tournament as long as possible just because that’s must-see TV every time she takes the floor.”

Since you’re here with Buffalo Wild Wings, in regards to chicken wings are you a drums or a flats guy?

“Yeah, , I’m a flapper guy all the way. I mean, I will eat drums, but when they’re all mixed in and somebody says, hey, who took all the flappers? It’s usually me, and it’s also if you got the lemon peppers going, man, I’m there all day for you.”

Tell us about Buffalo Wild Wings’ March Madness contest for this year?

“So Buffalo Wild Wings has this Buffalo named Jack, and they stick Jack out here in a field and they put the teams behind know logos or names, and whichever way he looks, that’s his pick. So that’s how Jack is selecting his champion on the men’s side and on the women’s side. The cool thing about it is you can get in on this thing. You go to beatthebuffalo.com, you put your bracket in there.

“If you beat Jack, you have a chance to go to the men’s or women’s final four next year. You have a chance also for a year’s supply of wings. So I think if you’re a wing guy like I’m a wing guy, hey, you’re going to be filling out the bracket anyway. Send it in there”

 

Considering that Jack the Buffalo has Mcneese State currently winning the men’s tournament, he might not be too hard to beat.