BRACKETOLOGY: Youth is Served

Right now, there are four teams in the country that have freshman who can lead thema far into March: USC, Memphis, Indiana and Kansas St. Today, we're talking about Michael Beasley and Bill Walker at Kansas St.

I must admit, I was skeptical of the Wildcats were going to make it work earlier in the season. However, they've shown major signs that they'll be tough to deal with down the stretch. Two big men who can rebound and score from anywhere (and I do mean anywhere) on the court. They're a match-up problem for anyone. As long as the Wildcats get solid play from the back court, this is a team you do not want to face in March.

I have my eye on the Big South Conference. Winthrop has pretty much owned the conference for the past decade, but now that Greg Marshall has moved on to greener pastures, things aren't so clear. UNC-Asheville is a legitimate contender to knocking Winthrop off of the pedestal this season. Should be interesting to see how the race for #1 shakes out.

On to the bracket:

You'll notice that I have multiple bids from teams in the Colonial, Horizon League, and Mid-American Conference. They deserve to have multiple bids RIGHT NOW.

I was ready to give Tennessee a #1 seed. Then they lost to Kentucky. That's NOT getting it done.

The numbers seeds rank in this order: 1. Memphis 2. Kansas 3. North Carolina 4. Duke

Last Four In: Purdue, Boston College, Arkansas, George Mason
Last Four Out: Arizona, Connecticut, Miami (FL), NC State

This bracket is good for games played through Tuesday January 22, 2008.

SOUTH
1.Memphis16.Jacksonville/Alabama St Little Rock, AR
8.Kansas St9.Providence
5.Butler12.Virginia Commonwealth Tampa, FL
4.Stanford13.South Alabama
6.Pittsburgh11.Kent St Little Rock, AR
3.Wisconsin14.UNC-Asheville
7.Baylor10.USC Birmingham, AL
2.Tennessee15.UMBC
WEST
1.Duke16.Wagner Raleigh, NC
8.Notre Dame9.San Diego St
5.Xavier12.Purdue Denver, CO
4.St. Mary’s13.Davidson
6.Marquette11.Boston College Denver, CO
3.Texas14.Oral Roberts
7.UMass10.Florida Anaheim, CA
2.Washington St15.Cornell
MIDWEST
1.Kansas16.Austin Peay Omaha, NE
8.Gonzaga9.Clemson
5.West Virginia12.Cleveland St Tampa, FL
4.Vanderbilt13.Siena
6.Rhode Island11.Arkansas Omaha, NE
3.Michigan St14.Cal St. Northridge
7.Villanova10.Texas A&M Anaheim, CA
2.UCLA15.Hampton
EAST
1. North Carolina16.Lafayette Raleigh, NC
8.Oregon9.Louisville
5.Drake12.Akron Washington, DC
4.Dayton13.Stephen F. Austin
6.Mississippi11.George Mason Birmingham, AL
3.Georgetown14.Utah St
7.Arizona St10.Oklahoma Washington, DC
2.Indiana15.Northern Arizona