Sweet 16 picks
Midwest: Ohio State, Wake Forest, Kansas, Michigan State
West: Connecticut, Washington, Missouri, Memphis
East: Pittsburgh, Wisconsin, Villanova, Duke
South: North Carolina, Gonzaga, Syracuse, Oklahoma
National Semis
Memphis over Wake Forest
Pittsburgh over Oklahoma
National Championship
Pittsburgh 79, Memphis 71
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Field review
#1 Seeds
I went with my gut putting Memphis on the top line, thinking Connecticut would be penalized by being in the same conference of two #1 seeds(Louisville and Pittsburgh). Mike Slive and his committee felt differently and rewarded the Huskies with the last #1 seed, which I have no problem with(The Huskies were my top #2 seed). In terms of the overall #1, I had North Carolina even after losing to Florida State, but again I have no qualms about Louisville being the #1 of #1's, especially as I got the regions right.
The Last Teams In
Arizona was the only team I missed(having Creighton instead). Evidently, the committee overlooked a horrible road and rewarded the Wildcats, who have home and neutral wins over Kansas, Gonzaga, Washington and UCLA. The Bluejays should fault no one but themselves, especially after getting blown out by Illinois State in the Missouri Valley semis. Wisconsin was also a 12 seed, evidently punished by a six-game losing streak.
Big Ten
Wisconsin was one of THREE teams from the conference seeded tenth or below(Michigan and Minnesota were the others). Michigan State received a 2 seed, Illinois and Purdue(despite winning today) are 5 seeds. Ohio State may have an easy 2nd round game vs. Louisville in Dayton(if they can get by Siena, who probably would've gotten an at-large bid if needed).
Personal Stats
Teams Missed
Arizona(instead of Creighton)
Teams at exact seeds: 30
Teams plus/minus 1: 54
Biggest miss: Tennessee(3 seeds lower)
Most advantageous pod placements
Gonzaga and Washington in Portland.
Villanova in Philadelphia
Most disadvantageous pod placements
Kansas in Minneapolis(Playing North Dakota State in 1st round, possible 2nd round matchup with West Virginia)
Louisville in Dayton(Possible 2nd round game with Ohio State)
Arizona in Miami and UCLA in Philadelphia(3 time zones away)
I went with my gut putting Memphis on the top line, thinking Connecticut would be penalized by being in the same conference of two #1 seeds(Louisville and Pittsburgh). Mike Slive and his committee felt differently and rewarded the Huskies with the last #1 seed, which I have no problem with(The Huskies were my top #2 seed). In terms of the overall #1, I had North Carolina even after losing to Florida State, but again I have no qualms about Louisville being the #1 of #1's, especially as I got the regions right.
The Last Teams In
Arizona was the only team I missed(having Creighton instead). Evidently, the committee overlooked a horrible road and rewarded the Wildcats, who have home and neutral wins over Kansas, Gonzaga, Washington and UCLA. The Bluejays should fault no one but themselves, especially after getting blown out by Illinois State in the Missouri Valley semis. Wisconsin was also a 12 seed, evidently punished by a six-game losing streak.
Big Ten
Wisconsin was one of THREE teams from the conference seeded tenth or below(Michigan and Minnesota were the others). Michigan State received a 2 seed, Illinois and Purdue(despite winning today) are 5 seeds. Ohio State may have an easy 2nd round game vs. Louisville in Dayton(if they can get by Siena, who probably would've gotten an at-large bid if needed).
Personal Stats
Teams Missed
Arizona(instead of Creighton)
Teams at exact seeds: 30
Teams plus/minus 1: 54
Biggest miss: Tennessee(3 seeds lower)
Most advantageous pod placements
Gonzaga and Washington in Portland.
Villanova in Philadelphia
Most disadvantageous pod placements
Kansas in Minneapolis(Playing North Dakota State in 1st round, possible 2nd round matchup with West Virginia)
Louisville in Dayton(Possible 2nd round game with Ohio State)
Arizona in Miami and UCLA in Philadelphia(3 time zones away)
The final Bracket Watch projection for the season
Ladies and Gentlemen, my final projection for the season(I'm not waiting for the Big Ten Final to finish).
Final Four pairings
South(1) vs. West(4)
Midwest(2) vs. East(3)
South region
@Greensboro
1-North Carolina vs. 16-RADFORD
8-Louisiana State vs. 9-SIENA
@Minneapolis
4-Syracuse vs. 13-WESTERN KENTUCKY
5-PURDUE vs. 12-CLEVELAND STATE
@Kansas City
2-MISSOURI vs. 15-STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
7-Clemson vs. 10-Minnesota
@Philadelphia
3-Villanova vs. 14-CORNELL
6-UTAH vs. 11-Dayton
West region
@Kansas City
1-MEMPHIS vs. 16-NORTHRIDGE STATE
8-Marquette vs. 9-Oklahoma State
@Portland
4-Washington vs. 13-AKRON(silly me forgot to add it)
5-Illinois vs. 12-NORTH DAKOTA STATE
@Philadelphia
2-Connecticut vs. 15-MORGAN STATE
7-Ohio State vs. 10-UTAH STATE
@Miami
3-Florida State vs. 14-BINGHAMTON
6-Tennessee vs. 11-Texas A&M
Midwest Region
@Dayton
1-LOUISVILLE vs. 16-Opening Round winner
Opening Round: MOREHEAD STATE vs. CHATTANOOGA
8-Michigan vs. 9-Boston College
@Boise
4-Kansas vs. 13-MISSISSIPPI STATE
5-Ucla vs. 12-VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
@Minneapolis
2-Michigan State vs. 15-ROBERT MORRIS
7-Texas vs. 10-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
@Miami
3-Wake Forest vs. 14-EAST TENNESSEE STATE
6-West Virginia vs. 11-TEMPLE
East region
@Dayton
1-Pittsburgh vs. 16-ALABAMA STATE
8-Butler vs. 9-California
@Portland
4-GONZAGA vs. 13-NORTHERN IOWA
5-Xavier vs. 12-Maryland
@Greensboro
2-DUKE vs. 15-AMERICAN
7-Brigham Young vs. 10-Wisconsin
@Boise
3-Oklahoma vs. 14-PORTLAND STATE
6-Arizona State vs. 11-Creighton
Last four in the field: Wisconsin, Dayton(Not on Bubble), Creighton, Maryland
First four left out: St. Mary's, San Diego State, Penn State, Arizona
Also in consideration: Auburn, Virginia Tech, Providence, Tulsa, UNLV, Florida
Final Four pairings
South(1) vs. West(4)
Midwest(2) vs. East(3)
South region
@Greensboro
1-North Carolina vs. 16-RADFORD
8-Louisiana State vs. 9-SIENA
@Minneapolis
4-Syracuse vs. 13-WESTERN KENTUCKY
5-PURDUE vs. 12-CLEVELAND STATE
@Kansas City
2-MISSOURI vs. 15-STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
7-Clemson vs. 10-Minnesota
@Philadelphia
3-Villanova vs. 14-CORNELL
6-UTAH vs. 11-Dayton
West region
@Kansas City
1-MEMPHIS vs. 16-NORTHRIDGE STATE
8-Marquette vs. 9-Oklahoma State
@Portland
4-Washington vs. 13-AKRON(silly me forgot to add it)
5-Illinois vs. 12-NORTH DAKOTA STATE
@Philadelphia
2-Connecticut vs. 15-MORGAN STATE
7-Ohio State vs. 10-UTAH STATE
@Miami
3-Florida State vs. 14-BINGHAMTON
6-Tennessee vs. 11-Texas A&M
Midwest Region
@Dayton
1-LOUISVILLE vs. 16-Opening Round winner
Opening Round: MOREHEAD STATE vs. CHATTANOOGA
8-Michigan vs. 9-Boston College
@Boise
4-Kansas vs. 13-MISSISSIPPI STATE
5-Ucla vs. 12-VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
@Minneapolis
2-Michigan State vs. 15-ROBERT MORRIS
7-Texas vs. 10-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
@Miami
3-Wake Forest vs. 14-EAST TENNESSEE STATE
6-West Virginia vs. 11-TEMPLE
East region
@Dayton
1-Pittsburgh vs. 16-ALABAMA STATE
8-Butler vs. 9-California
@Portland
4-GONZAGA vs. 13-NORTHERN IOWA
5-Xavier vs. 12-Maryland
@Greensboro
2-DUKE vs. 15-AMERICAN
7-Brigham Young vs. 10-Wisconsin
@Boise
3-Oklahoma vs. 14-PORTLAND STATE
6-Arizona State vs. 11-Creighton
Last four in the field: Wisconsin, Dayton(Not on Bubble), Creighton, Maryland
First four left out: St. Mary's, San Diego State, Penn State, Arizona
Also in consideration: Auburn, Virginia Tech, Providence, Tulsa, UNLV, Florida
Bracket Watch - Selection Sunday(1st edition)
Well folks, 126 days after the 1st tip of the season, we have reached the holiest of days on the collegiate basketball calendar, Selection Sunday. What will Mike Silve and his colleagues come up with at 6 Eastern(5 Central)? We don't know, but here is a first guess at what could happen:
Final Four pairings
South(1) vs. West(4)
Midwest(2) vs. East(3)
South region
@Greensboro
1-North Carolina vs. 16-RADFORD
8-Louisiana State vs. 9-SIENA
@Minneapolis
4-Syracuse vs. 13-WESTERN KENTUCKY
5-Purdue/Big Ten vs. 12-CLEVELAND STATE
@Kansas City
2-MISSOURI vs. 15-Stephen F. Austin/Southland
7-Clemson vs. 10-Minnesota
@Philadelphia
3-Villanova vs. 14-CORNELL
6-UTAH vs. 11-Dayton
West region
@Kansas City
1-MEMPHIS vs. 16-NORTHRIDGE STATE
8-Marquette vs. 9-Oklahoma State
@Portland
4-Washington vs. 13-St. Mary's
5-Illinois vs. 12-NORTH DAKOTA STATE
@Philadelphia
2-Connecticut vs. 15-MORGAN STATE
7-Ohio State vs. 10-UTAH STATE
@Miami
3-Florida State vs. 14-BINGHAMTON
6-Tennessee/Southeastern vs. 11-Texas A&M
Midwest Region
@Dayton
1-LOUISVILLE vs. 16-Opening Round winner
Opening Round: MOREHEAD STATE vs. CHATTANOOGA
8-Michigan vs. 9-Boston College
@Boise
4-Kansas vs. 13-AKRON
5-Ucla vs. 12-VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
@Minneapolis
2-Michigan State vs. 15-ROBERT MORRIS
7-Texas vs. 10-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
@Miami
3-Wake Forest vs. 14-EAST TENNESSEE STATE
6-West Virginia vs. 11-TEMPLE
East region
@Dayton
1-Pittsburgh vs. 16-ALABAMA STATE
8-Butler vs. 9-California
@Portland
4-GONZAGA vs. 13-NORTHERN IOWA
5-Xavier vs. 12-Maryland
@Greensboro
2-Duke/Atlantic Coast vs. 15-AMERICAN
7-Brigham Young vs. 10-Wisconsin
@Boise
3-Oklahoma vs. 14-PORTLAND STATE
6-Arizona State vs. 11-Creighton
Last four in the field: Dayton(Not on Bubble), Creighton, Maryland, St. Mary's
First four left out: San Diego State, Penn State, Arizona, Auburn
Also in consideration: Virginia Tech, Providence, Tulsa, UNLV, Florida
Now what should happen if Mississippi State were to win the SEC today?Mississippi State would be the 13th seed in the Midwest, Akron would move to the 13th seed in the West and St. Mary's would be bumped out.
The last projection will be posted by 3 PM Central, and I hope to analyze the whole thing later tonight.
Final Four pairings
South(1) vs. West(4)
Midwest(2) vs. East(3)
South region
@Greensboro
1-North Carolina vs. 16-RADFORD
8-Louisiana State vs. 9-SIENA
@Minneapolis
4-Syracuse vs. 13-WESTERN KENTUCKY
5-Purdue/Big Ten vs. 12-CLEVELAND STATE
@Kansas City
2-MISSOURI vs. 15-Stephen F. Austin/Southland
7-Clemson vs. 10-Minnesota
@Philadelphia
3-Villanova vs. 14-CORNELL
6-UTAH vs. 11-Dayton
West region
@Kansas City
1-MEMPHIS vs. 16-NORTHRIDGE STATE
8-Marquette vs. 9-Oklahoma State
@Portland
4-Washington vs. 13-St. Mary's
5-Illinois vs. 12-NORTH DAKOTA STATE
@Philadelphia
2-Connecticut vs. 15-MORGAN STATE
7-Ohio State vs. 10-UTAH STATE
@Miami
3-Florida State vs. 14-BINGHAMTON
6-Tennessee/Southeastern vs. 11-Texas A&M
Midwest Region
@Dayton
1-LOUISVILLE vs. 16-Opening Round winner
Opening Round: MOREHEAD STATE vs. CHATTANOOGA
8-Michigan vs. 9-Boston College
@Boise
4-Kansas vs. 13-AKRON
5-Ucla vs. 12-VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
@Minneapolis
2-Michigan State vs. 15-ROBERT MORRIS
7-Texas vs. 10-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
@Miami
3-Wake Forest vs. 14-EAST TENNESSEE STATE
6-West Virginia vs. 11-TEMPLE
East region
@Dayton
1-Pittsburgh vs. 16-ALABAMA STATE
8-Butler vs. 9-California
@Portland
4-GONZAGA vs. 13-NORTHERN IOWA
5-Xavier vs. 12-Maryland
@Greensboro
2-Duke/Atlantic Coast vs. 15-AMERICAN
7-Brigham Young vs. 10-Wisconsin
@Boise
3-Oklahoma vs. 14-PORTLAND STATE
6-Arizona State vs. 11-Creighton
Last four in the field: Dayton(Not on Bubble), Creighton, Maryland, St. Mary's
First four left out: San Diego State, Penn State, Arizona, Auburn
Also in consideration: Virginia Tech, Providence, Tulsa, UNLV, Florida
Now what should happen if Mississippi State were to win the SEC today?Mississippi State would be the 13th seed in the Midwest, Akron would move to the 13th seed in the West and St. Mary's would be bumped out.
The last projection will be posted by 3 PM Central, and I hope to analyze the whole thing later tonight.
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