One billion dollars.

With those three words, Dr. Evil could have very easily been describing the estimated amount of money exchanged annually on NCAA Tournament office pools. And that figure is multiplying like wet gremlins.

The NCAA Tournament Manifesto will cut off a piece of the billion dollar pie and feed it to you. All you need to do is eat it. If you want to beat the father-in-law, boss, or ex-girlfriend who somehow manages to finish higher than you in the bracket standings year after year, keep on reading.

Chaos (n): A state of extreme confusion and disorder.

Sixty-five teams. Four regions. Sixty-five potential champions. There are over eighteen quintillion possibilities for every bracket. That’s “18” and eighteen zero’s.

Yet as chaotic as the NCAA Tournament appears to be, there is order in the disorder. So before you can predict the winners, you must understand the reason certain teams are configured for successful tournament runs.

Essentially, you just have to know the Seven Secrets for NCAA Tournament Success...

March Madness is a month away and resumes are already well in development by teams hoping for a berth in the 65-team bracket. NaismithLives.com’s Jesse Arendt examines how the bracket currently looks (as of games played through February 8th, 2010) and what the teams on the bubble need to do to dance… or watch their bubble burst.

On Tuesday, NaismithLives.com senior writer Adam Stanco was a guest on the Drew and Jordan show (1060 KDUS-AM in Phoenix, AZ).

On Tuesday, NaismithLives.com senior writer Adam Stanco was a guest on the Drew and Jordan show (1060 KDUS-AM in Phoenix, AZ) to talk about what the Suns could get from Amar'e Stoudemire and who highlights this year's draft class.

On Thursday, the NBA announced the league’s All-Star selections. However, between fans voting for the starters and the biases of head coaches (who pick the reserves), the rosters are never quite right.

NaismithLives.com lets you know who should really be representing the East and the West...

March Madness is less than two months away and, with conference play underway, resumes are already well in development by teams hoping for a berth in the 65-team bracket. NaismithLives.com’s Jesse Arendt examines how the bracket currently looks (as of games played through January 21st, 2010).

This is the age of the anonymous college basketball star, at least as far as the sophomores, juniors, and seniors are concerned.

Sure, you know about John Wall and Xavier Henry, but what about the game’s elder statesmen? Those elite players who aren’t on the NBA’s one-and-done internship program.

How much do you really know about Quincy Pondexter? What about Keith Benson? Manny Harris sound familiar? Gordon Hayward? Charles Garcia?

Whether they play for perennial powerhouses or pipsqueak programs, the non-freshmen might as well be nameless.

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony meet again tonight as they did on that brisk, grey February afternoon in 2002.

This was before they were each iconic figures, nationally recognizable by just their first names. Before Carmelo nearly single-handedly led Syracuse to a National Championship. Before LeBron became the youngest player ever to win Rookie of the Year. Before Carmelo became the first NBA rookie to lead his team in playoff scoring since David Robinson. Before LeBron scored his team’s final 25 points in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pistons. Before Carmelo became a starter in the NBA All-Star game. Before LeBron won the Most Valuable Player award. Before the movies, the books, and the Sports Illustrated covers. Before they played on consecutive Olympic teams together and before they each won gold medals.

Back then Carmelo and LeBron were merely teenagers with expectations befitting of grown men.

Nate Robinson leaping over Dwight Howard. Tyler Hansbrough cutting down a net. Dwyane Wade’s band-aid. The poor souls bouncing off of Blake Griffin. Derrick Rose’s first step. Michael Beasley’s stumble. Kobe Bryant raising the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The looks of desperation on the Nets’ faces…

There are countless images from 2009, but they fade with each passing day as we head into a new year. So what will this year hold?

NaismithLives.com senior writer Adam Stanco makes five bold predictions for 2010…

On Thursday, NaismithLives.com senior writer Adam Stanco was a guest on the Drew and Jordan show (1060 KDUS-AM in Phoenix, AZ) to talk about the success of Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings and everything else going on in the NBA.