BRACKETOLOGY: Rocky Mountain High

While everyone pays attention to the six BCS conferences, the Missouri Valley and the Colonial, there's another conference out there that is secretly having a bit of a resurgence.

Many people may not be taking notice, because it's marquee team (Utah) isn't have a great year, but the Mountain West is back ladies and gentlemen. Not only is it back but I see it getting three bids with a chance at a fourth.

Air Force, coached by former Denver Nugget head man Jeff Bzdelik is poised to make it's third appearance in the tournament in the last four years. Guess what...they're good. Air Force is a legit Sweet 16 because they're fundamentally sound, shoot the ball well and run the Princeton offense which is extremely hard to prepare for.

BYU is actually leading the Mountain West with a 9-2 record and has only lost two games in two months. As my friend Lee Corso would say "YO." They're RPI of 23 has them looking good for the tournament.

Last but not least, who doesn't love a tournament with the Runnin' Rebels. UNLV is back ladies and gentlemen. They boast out of conference wins over Nevada and Texas Tech, played the 29th rated schedule in the country and is currently 12 in the RPI. You can just about book 'em for the dance.

On to the bracket:
That 3-7 seeds continue to be as fluid right now. There are only a few teams in that range playing consistent basketball. Those are the teams that continue to rise.

Yes, that is Old Dominion with an At-large Bid. They're tied for second place in the CAA with two high quality wins over Georgetown and Virginia Commonwealth. They have Hofstra tonight and Toledo this weekend. Those are two top-100 RPI teams and this is an excellent way to boost their resume.

Last Four In: Illinois, Old Dominion, Maryland, Arkansas
Last Four Out: Georgia, Providence, Texas Tech, Purdue

This bracket is good for games through Sunday February 11, 2007 (Yeah I'm late this week-I got a job and this is just my hobby).

East
1.North Carolina16.Delaware St Winston-Salem, NC
8.Vanderbilt9.Kansas St
5.Arizona12.Virginia Commonwealth Columbus, OH
4.Southern Illinois13.Davidson
6.Virginia11.Gonzaga Sacramento, CA
3.Washington St14.Holy Cross
7.Xavier10.Alabama Buffalo, NY
2.Pittsburgh15.Vermont
Midwest
1.Wisconsin16.East Tennessee St Chicago, IL
8.BYU9.Creighton
5.Georgetown12.Maryland Winston-Salem, NC
4.Kentucky13.Winthrop
6.Butler11.Arkansas Buffalo, NY
3.Boston College14.Penn
7.USC10.Notre Dame New Orleans, LA
2.Texas A&M15.South Alabama
West
1.UCLA16.Weber St Sacramento, CA
8.Texas9.Duke
5.Air Force12.Old Dominion Spokane, WA
4.Nevada13.Toledo
6.Indiana11.Florida St Columbus, OH
3.Marquette14.Marist
7.Tennessee10.Stanford Chicago, IL
2.Kansas15.Long Beach St
South
1.Florida16.Mississippi Valley St/Central Connecticut New Orleans, LA
8.Clemson9.Villanova
5.Oklahoma St12.Illinois Spokane, WA
4.Oregon13.Oral Roberts
6.Virginia Tech11.Missouri St Lexington, KY
3.Memphis14.Texas A&M-CC
7.West Virginia10.UNLV Lexington, KY
2.Ohio St15.Austin Peay