Now that we're fully into March Madness and the NCAA Basketball Tournament is underway, we can reveal some of the predictions made by Central New York celebrities.

If there's a theme running through these picks, it would be "chalk," the word indicating the prevailing favorites in any sporting event, whether it's a basketball tourney or a horse race. We asked some CNY sports figures, TV personalities, musicians, writers, politicians and other noteworthy public servants to reveal their 2018 bracket selections.

-WUTR Meteorologist Rachael Witter: "Kentucky to win it all, but I'd like to see St. Bonaventure do well, because my twin sister went there."

-WKTV Meteorologist Jill Reale: "Anyone except Duke or North Carolina. I can't stand Grayson Allen and North Carolina because it's my boyfriend's favorite team."

-WKTV News Anchor Jason Powles: "I want SU, but I'm realistic," so it's Duke.

-Utica Mayor Rob Palmieri: Villanova

-Rome Mayor Jackie Izzo: Virginia

-Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente: Duke, "because of coach Mike Krzyzewski."

-Congresswoman Claudia Tenney: Cincinnati, "because I went to Cincinnati Law School."

-Utica College Hockey Coach Gary Heenan: Cincinnati. "They play like a hockey team. Tough and mean. Pride on defense."

-Observer Dispatch Writer John Pitarresi: Virginia over Villanova in the final, 75-71.

-Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol: North Carolina "all the way."

-Showtime musician Jose Lopez: "I'd love if SU and St. Bonaventure make a run at it. If I have to pick one team right now, it's Virginia."

Who do you like? How's your bracket doing so far?

 

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