Saturday, March 11, 2006

BRACKETOLOGY: March 12, 2006 11:30 am

(Welcome Memphis, Albany, Southern, Hampton, Kent St, UCLA, Xavier, Syracuse, Nevada, San Diego St, and Pacific...WHEW)

NCAA Tournament
Washington, DC
1.UCONN16.Hampton(MEAC)/Monmouth(NEC) Philadelphia, PA
8.Bucknell(Patriot)9.UNC-Wilmington(CAA)
5.Kansas12.Kent St(MAC) San Diego, CA
4.LSU13.Wisconsin-Milwaukee(Horizon)
6.George Washington11.Cincinnati Greensboro, NC
3.North Carolina14.Winthrop(BSOUTH)
7.Wisconsin10.Alabama San Diego, CA
2.UCLA(P10)15.Pacific(BWEST)
Minneapolis
1.Villanova16.Albany(AEAST) Philadelphia, PA
8.Kentucky9.UAB
5.Nevada(WAC)12.Hofstra Salt Lake City, UT
4.Gonzaga(WCC)13.South Alabama(SBELT)
6.Syracuse(BEAST)11.California Dayton, OH
3.Illinois14.Northwestern St
7.Wichita St10.NC State Dallas, TX
2.Texas15.Penn(IVY)
Oakland
1.Memphis(C-USA)16.Oral Roberts(MCC) Dallas, TX
8.Indiana9.Northern Iowa
5.West Virginia12.George Mason Jacksonville, FL
4.Tennessee13.Iona(MAAC)
6.Washington11.Seton Hall Salt Lake City, UT
3.Boston College14.Montana(BSKY)
7.Oklahoma10.Bradley Dayton, OH
2.Ohio St15.Belmont(ASUN)
Atlanta
1.Duke16.Southern(SWAC) Greensboro, NC
8.Southern Illinois(MVC)9.Arkansas
5.Michigan St12.San Diego St(MWEST) Auburn Hills, MI
4.Pittsburgh13.Xavier(A-10)
6.Georgetown11.Texas A&M Auburn Hills, MI
3.Iowa14.Murray St(OVC)
7.Marquette10.Arizona Jacksonville, FL
2.Florida15.Davidson(Southern)

Last Four In: Hofstra, George Mason, Cincinnati, Texas A&M
Last Four Out: Florida St, Creighton, Missouri St, Maryland

Friday, March 10, 2006

BRACKETOLOGY: Moving Day(March 10, 2006 10:40 am)

Yesterday was a very important day for bubble teams. George Washington lost and therefore the A-10 stole a bid, Syracuse won and grabbed one up, Michigan and Florida St lost and gave "their" bids away. This makes Friday a very interesting day. Maryland, Colorado, and Texas A&M can stamp their bids by winning important games today. To some other bubble issues.

I've seen more than one person have Missouri St in the tournament over Northern Iowa. Missouri St shouldn't be in the tournament over Creighton, let alone Northern Iowa. I don't care if its RPI is 19, Missouri St is only 5-8 vs. the RPI-Top 100 and those five wins only account for %25 of its wins. It would be criminal to put the Bears in over teams like UNI, Creighton, Seton Hall, George Mason and Hofstra.

Michigan is an interesting case. They hav some good wins, but they're 3-7 in their last 10 and have only won three games since February 1. The committee takes a look at that and that proves the Wolverines are not playing NCAA tournament-ball right now and I don't think their resume is strong enough to hold up against that.

If you're on the bubble, you better be rooting for Nevada, Bucknell, UAB and Memphis.

Last Four In: Texas A&M, George Mason, Cincinnati, Hofstra
Last Four Out: Michigan, Creighton, Maryland, Colorado

NCAA Tournament
Washington, DC
1.Villanova16.Albany Philadelphia, PA
8.Southern Illinois9.Kentucky
5.Kansas12.George Mason Auburn Hills, MI
4.Iowa13.Kent St
6.Washington11.Cincinnati Jacksonville, FL
3.LSU14.Winthrop(BSOUTH)
7.Marquette10.UAB Greensboro, NC
2.North Carolina15.Penn(IVY)
Oakland
1.Ohio St16.Monmouth(NEC)/Southern Dayton, OH
8.NC State9.Alabama
5.Nevada12.Texas A&M San Diego, CA
4.Pittsburgh13.Iona(MAAC)
6.West Virginia11.Bradley Salt Lake City, UT
3.Gonzaga(WCC)14.Montana(BSKY)
7.Arkansas10.Arizona Dallas, TX
2.Memphis15.Delaware St
Minneapolis
1.UCONN16.Oral Roberts(MCC) Philadelphia, PA
8.Bucknell9.UNC-Wilmington(CAA)
5.Michigan St12.St Josephs Auburn Hills, MI
4.Boston College13.South Alabama(Sun Belt)
6.Oklahoma11.Seton Hall Jacksonville, FL
3.Tennessee14.Northwestern St
7.Wichita St10.California Dayton, OH
2.Illinois15.Davidson(BSOUTH)
Atlanta
1.Duke16.Belmont(A-SUN) Greensboro, NC
8.Indiana9.Northern Iowa
5.Georgetown12.San Diego St Salt Lake City, UT
4.Florida13.Wisconsin-Milwaukee(Horizon)
6.George Washington11.Hofstra San Diego, CA
3.UCLA14.Murray St
7.Wisconsin10.Syracuse Dallas, TX
2.Texas15.Pacific

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

BRACKETOLOGY: March 9, 2006 11:00 am (Welcome Monmouth and Montana)

NCAA Tournament
Washington, DC
1.UCONN16.Albany Philadelphia, PA
8.Bucknell9.Kentucky
5.Kansas12.Creighton Auburn Hills, MI
4.George Washington13.Kent St
6.Marquette11.George Mason Greensboro, NC
3.North Carolina14.Winthrop(BSOUTH)
7.Wisconsin10.California Jacksonville, FL
2.LSU15.Penn(IVY)
Oakland
1.Ohio St16.Monmouth(NEC)/Southern Dayton, OH
8.Southern Illinois(MVC)9.Alabama
5.Pittsburgh12.Texas A&M San Diego, CA
4.Boston College13.Iona(MAAC)
6.West Virginia11.Michigan Salt Lake City, UT
3.Gonzaga(WCC)14.Montana(BSKY)
7.Arkansas10.Arizona Dallas, TX
2.Memphis15.Delaware St
Minneapolis
1.Duke16.Oral Roberts(MCC) Greensboro, NC
8.Indiana9.UNC-Wilmington(CAA)
5.Nevada12.Cincinnati Salt Lake City, UT
4.Washington13.South Alabama(Sun Belt)
6.Oklahoma11.Seton Hall Jacksonville, FL
3.Tennessee14.Northwestern St
7.Wichita St10.UAB Dayton, OH
2.Illinois15.Davidson(BSOUTH)
Atlanta
1.Villanova16.Belmont(A-SUN) Philadelphia, PA
8.NC State9.Northern Iowa
5.Florida12.San Diego St Auburn Hills, MI
4.Iowa13.Wisconsin-Milwaukee(Horizon)
6.Michigan St11.Hofstra San Diego, CA
3.UCLA14.Murray St
7.Georgetown10.Bradley Dallas, TX
2.Texas15.Pacific

Last Four In: Texas A&M, Creighton, Cincinnati, Hofstra
Last Four Out: Syracuse, Air Force, Florida St, Missouri St

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

BRACKETOLOGY: March 7, 2006 10:55 am (Welcome UNC-Wilmington, Iona and Gonzaga)

What I learned last night: You don't want to play UNC-Wilmington in the tournament. They're going to be trouble in the tournament. They not only do they play good defense, but they can score too. The seniors have been to the tournament before and lost on a buzzer beater. This is a team that is ready to go out and do damage.

The last of the conference tournament predictions.

Mid-Eastern Athletic: Delaware St and Coppin St played two of the toughest schedules in the country so it's no wonder they're the top 2 teams in this conference. Delaware St won this league by four games though and looks good to win the tournament. As always though, beware of Cy Alexander's South Carolina St squad, they always seem to get it done in March.

Big West: This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Pacific. Well I hate to see them once they have all the pieces in place. They didn't miss much this year and they look poised to win the Big West tournament. The double-bye they get in the tournament won't hurt either. For the third straight year, expect to see Pacific in the tournament.

Southwestern Athletic: It's pretty clear here. There's the Southern Jaguars and then the rest of the SWAC. Southern won the SWAC with a dominating 15-3 conference record. They're RPI is over 100 slots better than their next best competitor in the conference. Unfortunately, it probably won't matter who wins the conference tournament because they'll be destined for the play-in game.

Last Four In: Hofstra, Texas A&M, Creighton, George Mason
Last Four Out: Air Force, Florida St, Missouri St, Maryland

NCAA Tournament
Washington, DC
1.UCONN16.Albany Philadelphia, PA
8.Bucknell9.Kentucky
5.Kansas12.Creighton Auburn Hills, MI
4.George Washington13.Kent St
6.Marquette11.California Greensboro, NC
3.North Carolina14.Winthrop(BSOUTH)
7.Wisconsin10.UNC-Wilmington(CAA) Jacksonville, FL
2.LSU15.Penn(IVY)
Oakland
1.Ohio St16.Fairleigh Dickinson/Southern Dayton, OH
8.Southern Illinois9.Alabama
5.Pittsburgh12.Texas A&M San Diego, CA
4.Boston College13.Iona(MAAC)
6.West Virginia11.Michigan Salt Lake City, UT
3.Gonzaga(WCC)14.Murray St(OVC)
7.Arkansas10.Arizona Dallas, TX
2.Memphis15.Delaware St
Minneapolis
1.Duke16.Oral Roberts Greensboro, NC
8.Indiana9.Seton Hall
5.Nevada12.Hofstra Salt Lake City, UT
4.Washington13.San Diego St
6.Oklahoma11.George Mason Jacksonville, FL
3.Tennessee14.Northwestern St
7.Wichita St10.Cincinnati Dayton, OH
2.Illinois15.Northern Arizona
Atlanta
1.Villanova16.Belmont(A-SUN) Philadelphia, PA
8.NC State9.Northern Iowa
5.Florida12.Western Kentucky Auburn Hills, MI
4.Iowa13.Wisconsin-Milwaukee
6.Michigan St11.Bradley San Diego, CA
3.UCLA14.Pacific
7.Georgetown10.UAB Dallas, TX
2.Texas15.Davidson

Monday, March 06, 2006

BRACKETOLOGY: Falk the Bubble (Welcome Southern Illinois and Davidson)

At this time last Friday, Southern Illinois was in trouble to make the tournament. Now they can sit back and relax for the rest of the week and it's all due to one man: Randal Falker. His 36 rebounds and excellent post defense led the Salukis to the Missouri Valley tournament championship and the automatic bid. Now, the game on Sunday was just like every other game in the tournament (I watched them all), UGLY. That's because they play defense in the conference. People keep talking about tis league, but you don't want to play any MVC teams in the tournament.

Speaking of Mid-Majors...the CAA. Right now, on Monday, I have them getting three teams in. Obviously, this depends on what happens the rest of the week. If a bubble team in another conference, i.e. Florida St, gets hot than it may push the conference back down to two bids. It's going to be a lock-down final tonight though.

If you get a chance, make sure you watch the Metro Atlantic championship tonight. St. Peters, a surprise finalist, is led by the Keydren Clark, the sixth leading scorer in NCAA history. One more time for emphasis: The sixth leading scorer in NCAA history. He dropped 29 on regular season champion Manhattan last night and if he still has his legs, will put similar numbers up tonight.

Florida St is still in trouble to me. They're just 6-7 against the RPI top-100 and they're non-conference strength of schedule is 317, they have to beat a good team in the ACC tournament to satisfy me.

I'm still not seeing how San Diego St is getting at-large consideration. If they can get an at-large than it's no doubt in my mind that UNC-Wilmington HAS to been in regardless of what happens tonight. San Diego St has five losses outside of the top-100. You can't get in with that.

Conference Tourmanet prediction time.

Mid-American: Hard one to call right here. I think I'm going to go with Kent St though. They won the more difficult of the two divisions in the MAC this year and also got a huge Bracket Buster win over Butler. Besides after Miami-Ohio and Akron beat each other up in the semi-finals, they may not have anything left for the Golden Flashes in the final.

Southland: With only one setback in conference all year, Northwestern St is the team to beat here. Someone would have to beat them on their home floor and that hasn't happened all year long. Don't expect that to happen this week. I'll take Northwestern St this week and as a candidate for a first-round upset in the Big Dance next week.

Last Four In: Texas A&M, Creighton, UNC-Wilmington, Hofstra
Last Four Out: Air Force, Florida St, Missouri St, Maryland

Washington, DC
1.UCONN16.Albany Philadelphia, PA
8.Bucknell9.Kentucky
5.Kansas12.Creighton Auburn Hills, MI
4.George Washington13.Kent St
6.Marquette11.Hofstra Greensboro, NC
3.North Carolina14.Winthrop(BSOUTH)
7.Wisconsin10.California Jacksonville, FL
2.LSU15.Penn(IVY)
Oakland
1.Ohio St16.Fairleigh Dickinson/Southern Dayton, OH
8.Southern Illinois(MVC)9.Alabama
5.Pittsburgh12.Texas A&M San Diego, CA
4.Boston College13.Northwestern St
6.West Virginia11.Michigan Salt Lake City, UT
3.Gonzaga14.Murray St(OVC)
7.Arkansas10.Arizona Dallas, TX
2.Memphis15.Delaware St
Minneapolis
1.Duke16.Oral Roberts Greensboro, NC
8.Indiana9.Seton Hall
5.Nevada12.UNC-Wilmington Salt Lake City, UT
4.Washington13.San Diego St
6.Oklahoma11.UAB Jacksonville, FL
3.Tennessee14.Iona
7.Wichita St10.Cincinnati Dayton, OH
2.Illinois15.Northern Arizona
Atlanta
1.Villanova16.Belmont(A-SUN) Philadelphia, PA
8.NC State9.Northern Iowa
5.Florida12.Western Kentucky Auburn Hills, MI
4.Iowa13.Wisconsin-Milwaukee
6.Michigan St11.Bradley San Diego, CA
3.UCLA14.Pacific
7.Georgetown10.George Mason Dallas, TX
2.Texas15.Davidson(Southern)

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