Justin Breen

Times Sports Editor

I need help.

When it comes to picking teams to win in the NCAA tournament, that is.

Hopefully I found some from professional psychic Irene Hughes, who lives in Crete.

After all, she did predict the great blizzard of 1967. You can read about that and more on her Web site: www.irene-psychic.com.

"But sports is not my best deal," Hughes told me via phone on Monday.

Hughes said she would study the NCAA squads for a day and then call me back on Tuesday, which she did.

"I just concentrated all my psychic energies on the big final winners," Hughes said Tuesday.

And ... who will those winners be?

"And for the final, I picked Florida and North Carolina," she said. "I think Florida and North Carolina are going to be the winners."

And who will win that final game?

"I think Florida will be the big winner; there is nothing else I can say," she said. "You can pick the other games yourself."

Well, that's a start, I guess.

I asked Hughes if she could offer any additional tips. For some reason, she threw out the name "Vanderbilt." She didn't say how far the Commodores would advance, just the school's name.

Then she proceeded to predict that I was 32 years old (I'm going to be 30 in a few weeks), that I don't have a girlfriend (I've had one for nearly three years), and that I'll be making a lot of money this year (which would be a miracle).

And that was that.

For the record, before I spoke with Hughes, I picked North Carolina to play Florida in the final, with the Gators winning.

Hopefully, Hughes and I are both right.

Dog of the Week

Aretha (pictured) is an 8-year-old Keeshond mix at the Humane Society Calumet Area in Munster. She was found as a stray in January and, unfortunately, no one came to claim her. She is about 75 pounds and full of love.

For more information on Aretha and the other dogs at the HSCA, visit www.hscalumet.org or e-mail info@hscalumet.org. You also can call (219) 922-3811.

The shelter is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.

For more animals in need, look for Pets of the Week in Your Saturday.

This column solely represents the writer's opinion. Reach him at jbreen@nwitimes.com.