NBA TV's talent takes trip down NCAA tournament memory lane

NBA TV's talent takes a look back at its NCAA tournament experiences and takes a stab at this year's brackets.

NBA.com: What are your favorite NCAA Tournament moments?

Eric Snow (Michigan State): "The excitement from being there and you love that you are young and you get to see yourself on national television. People get truly excited about seeing themselves on television. We liked staying in the hotel and hoping to play some place warm. And playing outside of your conference and playing teams you never played. The whole mystique is exciting. Then there is the sense of being "one and done" and you're out. That's what makes it one of the best, if not the best, tournaments around."

Cheryl Miller (USC): "My first time winning the championship in 1983 when we were going up against Louisiana Tech. We were probably the second best team in the nation and being in Norfolk, VA in front of that crowd on national TV and we are down by 15 and I'm like 'We are getting blown out on national TV.' Then we did it, we actually came back to win that first title on the road that was special."

Gary Payton (Oregon State): "I remember the turning point moments -- that if things could have gone my way I would have went further. Like the year we lost to Louisville. That was the same year that Pervis Ellison got the No.1 pick in the draft and we knew we could have beat them. And we even neutralized Pervis. I knew we should have won but my team wasn't as experienced and Louisville had been together for a long time. So it's just one of those things that you remember."

Chris Webber (Michigan): "I remember playing with one of the best young teams that people have ever seen and of course around this time every year I'm reminded of the timeout I called. But I went to work so much in that tournament that I never really look at the tournament and the timeout in that bad light -- even though the timeout was a big thing. But my all-time favorite game was my team against the UNLV team, the run and gun Rebels because that was when basketball was real good to me."

Steve Smith (Michigan State): "The adrenaline rush and getting the chance to play on national TV with all your friends and family watching. Also all your guys that you grew up with you get to see if you have a chance to meet up. Willy Burton, Derrick Coleman and I were all in the same region in New Orleans. We got a chance to hang out, but in the back of our minds we were saying 'One of us is not going to make it. Someone's not getting out of here'.

NBA.com: What teams do you like to watch during tourney time?

Snow: "Michigan State of course. And I also like to watch North Carolina play. I like their style. Larry Brown coaches that style so I'm familiar with that. And I like to watch UCLA. I like the way the coach has changed that team out there and made it more of a defensive and gritty team vs. the soft West Coast mystique they had."

Miller: "Tennessee and Connecticut for the women. For the men's side, Syracuse, Florida and I can't mention the other school that [my brother] Reggie went to [UCLA] but I'm interested to see what they do."

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Payton: "I think Louisville is going to be the champ in the end. Pittsburgh and UConn aren't going to be there like most people think. Gonzaga has a chance of being there. Arizona is going to be the Cinderella."

Webber: "Oklahoma, the big fella there [Blake Griffin] remains me of the powerful guys I played against. I'm also rooting for Michigan since they haven't been there for so long, but hopefully we can get some pride back. But Oklahoma is my champ."

Smith: "Michigan State, Michigan State and Michigan State. But other than that I just like good basketball and rooting for the underdog. I like Louisville too. But realistically, Michigan State is my champ they are going to be the Cinderella story."

NBA.com: What is the best method for picking a bracket?

Payton: "Most people think picking the No. 1 is the way to go but you really have to pay attention to the upsets. I like to go with teams like Gonzaga and the underdogs."

Webber: "You have to look at regions and who plays in their own regions. What teams are closer to home and what teams have done in the past. A team that is new to the tournament is probably going to lose, so you want to pick the team that's been there the most because experience really matters."

Smith: "I always run into a problem because I like to go with my heart. So normally I'll have one bracket to go with my heart. But you also have to look at how far a team has to travel, what style of play they have and what region they are playing in. It's important to know if the team and fans will travel well to the location. Also if it's a young team and their families are there and they are taking a day off to go sightseeing, that's a factor and a distraction to their game."

NBA.com: What memorabilia have you saved from your tournament trips?

Webber: "I have a restaurant in Sacramento and I have pictures of the Fab 5 hanging up there. But at home I even have pictures of me and Jalen Rose that date back to high school. Being that the Final Four is in Detroit this year, me and some of the guys are going to get together for a reunion."

Smith: "I kept the program from New Orleans with me, Derrick and Willy and I have my jersey from the last college game I played framed in my home."

NBA.com: What things are missed in the transition from college to the pros?

Snow: "The same common feel for all the players, meaning that we were all just students. When we went into that game we were students and when we came out of the game we were students. I remember when I got into the NBA I wished I could have that pay but got a chance to stay in the college atmosphere because I loved just having the feeling that everyone grew up enjoying their moment in the spotlight."

Miller: "The fact that every game is do-or-die and has an impact on the rest of your season. Also the camaraderie you build during practice, training camp and going to class together. Especially when you are a freshman and you get to watch people mature."

Smith: "In college every game is a big game. In the NBA you look at game 30 and it doesn't mean the same as game 75 in the end of the season. In college every game is the Final Four and every game means something."