The “Young Man” of the family is set to graduate from Michigan State on Kentucky Derby Day 2026 — the First Saturday in May. There ain’t many things in this here life that would drag me away from Louisville, and, either the track or my beloved Louisville Thoroughbred Society on this most sacred of Thoroughbred race days. But this will be one.

Not going to miss the kid graduating. He will be walking down the aisle with cap and gown and enough honors on the resume that a show dog can’t jump over. Not going to miss that. As the great T. Graham Brown would sing: Not come “Hell and High Water.”

But that’s still a few days away. The “Young Man” who picked his last winner on Saturday is now a robust 6-1 in the NCAA Tourney and he has his sights set on two wagers on this Thursday when the Sweet 16 get to playing it off.

Fist…

Willie T will take: Arizona -7.5 vs. Arkansas and the Fighting Johnny Caliparis. Willie’s only miss the tourney is when he picked the Wildcats to topple Iowa State, despite giving up 2.5 points. On that day, “the hook” got him. Arizona managed to win by only 2 against one of the hottest teams in the universe and in one of the best college basketball games of the last decade. Better luck this time. I’m in.

Second…

Willie T is going to side with: Texas +7.5 vs. the often-overrated Purdue Toilermakers. Purdue came into this tournament a little bit under the limelight and with most people expecting the Boilermakers to make another premature, early exit. This time, though, the black and gold of the Rick Mount days have tuned up their game and have been surprisingly good. All dreams must end, at some point. And, Bill Keller is not there to bail out his buddy Rick Mount. I’m in on this one, too.

Third…

If you are feeling real frisky, parlay Willie T’s two picks. After all, the man is hot. I’m in.

Good Luck & All the Best.