Monday, January 12, 2009

Bracket Watch-Volume 2

Edit(2:45 PM)-Switched East and South regions to avoid Memphis conflict.

Before I unveil the latest projections, my apologies to Baylor for inadvertently leaving them out of last week's field. Bad case of oversight on my part. Now on to the field.

Projections done as if January 11th was the last day of the regular season.

Final Four Pairings
Midwest(1) vs. West(4)
South(2) vs. East(3)

Midwest Region
@Dayton
1-Pittsburgh vs. 16-Opening Round Winner
Opening Round: North Dakota State(Summit) vs. Alabama State(Southwestern)
8-Baylor vs. 9-Gonzaga
@Portland
4-Xavier(Atlantic 10) vs. 13-Middle Tennessee(Sun Belt)
5-Minnesota vs. 12-Illinois State
@Miami
2-North Carolina vs. 15-Stephen F. Austin(Southland)
7-Illinois vs. 10-Kansas
@Portland
3-Ucla vs. 14-Weber State(Big Sky)
6-West Virginia vs. 11-St. Mary's(West Coast)

West Region
@Philadelphia
1-Connecticut vs. 16-Robert Morris(Northeast)
8-Ohio State vs. 9-Davidson(Southern)
@Boise
4-Marquette vs. 13-Bradley(Missouri Valley)
5-California(Pacific-10) vs. 12-Maryland
@Kansas City
2-Oklahoma(Big 12) vs. 15-Long Beach State(Big West)
7-Michigan vs. 10-Providence
@Miami
3-Clemson vs. 14-Virginia Military(Big South)
6-Tennessee(Southeastern) vs. 11-Washington

East Region
@Greensboro
1-Duke(Atlantic Coast) vs. 16-Morehead State(Ohio Valley)
8-Villanova vs. 9-Texas A&M
@Boise
4-Arizona State vs. 13-Utah State(Western Athletic)
5-Louisville vs. 12-Siena(Metro Atlantic)
@Dayton
2-Michigan State(Big Ten) vs. 15-Harvard(Ivy League)
7-Memphis(Conference USA) vs. 10-Florida
@Minneapolis
3-Syracuse(Big East) vs. 14-American(Patriot)
6-Miami(FL) vs. 11-San Diego State(Mountain West)

South Region
@Greensboro
1-Wake Forest vs. 16-Morgan State(Mid-Eastern)
8-Purdue vs. 9-Kentucky
@Minneapolis
4-Notre Dame vs. 13-Miami(OH)(Mid-American)
5-Butler(Horizon) vs. 12-George Mason(Colonial)
@Philadelphia
2-Georgetown vs. 15-Binghamton(America East)
7-Brigham Young vs. 10-Rhode Island
@Kansas City
3-Texas vs. 14-East Tennessee State(Atlantic Sun)
6-Wisconsin vs. 11-Arizona

New to the field: Rhode Island, Providence, Weber State, Baylor, Harvard, Bradley, San Diego State, Arizona, Washington, Kentucky, Alabama State, North Dakota State, Middle Tennessee, Utah State

Last four in the field: Arizona, Washington, Illinois State, Maryland
First four out of the field: Nevada-Las Vegas, Boston College, Arkansas, Dayton
Next four left out: St. John's Florida State, Utah, Cleveland State
Also underconsideration: Temple, Seton Hall, Northwestern, Penn State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Northeastern, UAB, Milwaukee, Evansville, Stanford, Washington State, Alabama, Louisiana State, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Western Kentucky, San Diego, Boise State

Next Projection: next Monday. Also look for new polls shortly.