You thought I was done posting brackets? You're wrong! Yes, it's the NIT projection you've all been waiting for.
"Blacksburg" region
1-Virginia Tech vs. 8-QUINNIPIAC
4-Northwestern vs. 5-Saint Louis
2-Seton Hall vs. 7-Marshall
3-William & Mary vs. 6-Charlotte
"Oxford" region
1-Mississippi vs. 8-JACKSON STATE
4-Connecticut vs. 5-Fairfield
2-Arizona State vs. 7-WEBER STATE
3-Uab vs. 6-North Carolina
"Champaign-Urbana" region
1-Illinois vs. 8-JACKSONVILLE
4-KENT STATE vs. 5-Tulsa
2-Rhode Island vs. 7-STONY BROOK
3-Cincinnati vs. 6-Virginia Commonwealth
"Starkville" region
1-Mississippi State vs. 8-TROY
4-Miami(FL) vs. 5-Dayton
2-Memphis vs. 7-COASTAL CAROLINA
3-South Florida vs. 6-Wichita State
Pairings: Blacksburg(1) vs. Oxford(2); Champaign-Urbana(2) vs. Starkville(3)
Last four in the field: North Carolina, VCU, Charlotte, Marshall
First four left out: Texas Tech, Oregon, St. John's, Wright State
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Analyzing the finished product
To all those who decried Minnesota's inclusion into the field at 5:17 PM this afternoon, I have only one thing to say to you....SHUT THE HELL UP!!! Thank you. Now on to the real deal.
Top 4 seeds overall
This was exactly as I predicted as Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and Syracuse went as planned to the Midwest, East, South, and West regions (and all sub-regional sites too). The only other team who could have snuck on to the top line was West Virginia, who were hurt by the non-appearance in the Big East semifinals of Villanova and Pittsburgh, the Mountaineers fellow 2nd place BE teams. Syracuse was really hurt by being swept by Louisville, thus falling to the 4th seed. Kentucky's placement in New Orleans was not as easy a no-brainer as it seemed, there was a good chance they would've been sent to Jacksonville(which is actually closer to the Lexington than the Big Easy), but there was no way the Wildcats would go to Milwaukee, not with credible Big Ten and Big East teams available.
The Last In and the First ones blocked out
For the zillionth time, I missed a team in the field. Florida, rather than Virginia Tech, got in the field(with the Gators getting a surprisingly high 10th seed). The Hokies were hurt by UTEP and Utah State losing in their respective conference finals as well as Minnesota's hot finish in the Big Ten tournament(today's 2nd half after the 14 minute mark not withstanding). Both the Miners and Aggies, however, were included in the field as the last at-large teams, both of them were 12th seeds. Of course the Hokies shot their own foot by losing big to Miami(FL) in the ACC tourney. Besides the Hokies, among those on the outside are Mississippi State, Illinois, Seton Hall, Rhode Island, UAB, Mississippi and William & Mary.
Bracket of Death: Midwest
Kansas could face an angry Northern Iowa squad(angry in the sense that they were seeded two seed lines too low), followed by either Maryland or Michigan State. The bottom half is brutal with Ohio State possibly facing either Georgetown or Tennessee in the sweet 16 and the Hoyas and Vols could potentially face each other in round 2.
Bracket of Cake: South
Duke should have an easy time in the 1st 2 rounds, then for it's sweet 16 matchup, it could face either Siena or Utah State as both could upset Purdue and Texas A&M, respectively. Villanova and Baylor have the potential to meet in the sweet 16, or both could lose in the 2nd round.
Personal Stats
Teams correctly picked: 64/65
Missed on: Florida(in), Virginia Tech(out)
Exactas: 30
+/- 1 seed: 51
Biggest misses: 13 teams at +/- 2(Wake Forest was a true 11 but moved because of placement problems)
Biggest Headscratcher: Marquette in West Virginia's half of the bracket in the East.
Coming up, predicting the NIT.
Top 4 seeds overall
This was exactly as I predicted as Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and Syracuse went as planned to the Midwest, East, South, and West regions (and all sub-regional sites too). The only other team who could have snuck on to the top line was West Virginia, who were hurt by the non-appearance in the Big East semifinals of Villanova and Pittsburgh, the Mountaineers fellow 2nd place BE teams. Syracuse was really hurt by being swept by Louisville, thus falling to the 4th seed. Kentucky's placement in New Orleans was not as easy a no-brainer as it seemed, there was a good chance they would've been sent to Jacksonville(which is actually closer to the Lexington than the Big Easy), but there was no way the Wildcats would go to Milwaukee, not with credible Big Ten and Big East teams available.
The Last In and the First ones blocked out
For the zillionth time, I missed a team in the field. Florida, rather than Virginia Tech, got in the field(with the Gators getting a surprisingly high 10th seed). The Hokies were hurt by UTEP and Utah State losing in their respective conference finals as well as Minnesota's hot finish in the Big Ten tournament(today's 2nd half after the 14 minute mark not withstanding). Both the Miners and Aggies, however, were included in the field as the last at-large teams, both of them were 12th seeds. Of course the Hokies shot their own foot by losing big to Miami(FL) in the ACC tourney. Besides the Hokies, among those on the outside are Mississippi State, Illinois, Seton Hall, Rhode Island, UAB, Mississippi and William & Mary.
Bracket of Death: Midwest
Kansas could face an angry Northern Iowa squad(angry in the sense that they were seeded two seed lines too low), followed by either Maryland or Michigan State. The bottom half is brutal with Ohio State possibly facing either Georgetown or Tennessee in the sweet 16 and the Hoyas and Vols could potentially face each other in round 2.
Bracket of Cake: South
Duke should have an easy time in the 1st 2 rounds, then for it's sweet 16 matchup, it could face either Siena or Utah State as both could upset Purdue and Texas A&M, respectively. Villanova and Baylor have the potential to meet in the sweet 16, or both could lose in the 2nd round.
Personal Stats
Teams correctly picked: 64/65
Missed on: Florida(in), Virginia Tech(out)
Exactas: 30
+/- 1 seed: 51
Biggest misses: 13 teams at +/- 2(Wake Forest was a true 11 but moved because of placement problems)
Biggest Headscratcher: Marquette in West Virginia's half of the bracket in the East.
Coming up, predicting the NIT.
The Absolute FINAL Bracket Watch projection this season
Since the Big Ten championship turned into an Ohio State runaway(and I still have Minnesota in the field since they had a 7-3 finish), it's high time to put out the final projection of the season. Please note that after the selection show, I'll analyze the actual field as well as my performance, and I'll project the NIT field again.
Final Four pairings
Midwest(1) vs. West(4)
East(2) vs. South(3)
Midwest region
@ Oklahoma City
1-KANSAS vs. 16-LEHIGH
8-Marquette vs. 9-Georgia Tech
@ Jacksonville
4-Tennessee vs. 13-HOUSTON
5-BUTLER vs. 12-SIENA
@ Milwaukee
2-OHIO STATE vs. 15-NORTH TEXAS
7-Xavier vs. 10-Nevada-Las Vegas
@ Providence
3-Villanova vs. 14-OHIO
6-Maryland vs. 11-Utah State
West region
@ Buffalo
1-Syracuse vs. 16-Opening Round winner
Opening Round: WINTHROP vs. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
8-Oklahoma State vs. 9-OLD DOMINION
@ San Jose
4-New Mexico vs. 13-MURRAY STATE
5-Michigan State vs. 12-Virginia Tech
@ Oklahoma City
2-Kansas State vs. 15-UC SANTA BARBARA
7-NORTHERN IOWA vs. 10-Louisville
@ San Jose
3-TEMPLE vs. 14-NEW MEXICO STATE
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-WASHINGTON
East Region
@ New Orleans
1-KENTUCKY vs. 16-ROBERT MORRIS
8-Notre Dame vs. 9-California
@ Spokane
4-Wisconsin vs. 13-WOFFORD
5-Texas A&M vs. 12-Wake Forest
@ Buffalo
2-WEST VIRGINIA vs. 15-VERMONT
7-Florida State vs. 10-SAINT MARY'S
@ New Orleans
3-Baylor vs. 14-SAM HOUSTON STATE
6-Brigham Young vs. 11-CORNELL
South region
@ Jacksonville
1-DUKE vs. 16-EAST TENNESSEE STATE
8-Texas vs. 9-SAN DIEGO STATE
@ Spokane
4-Pittsburgh vs. 13-OAKLAND
5-Vanderbilt vs. 12-Minnesota
@ Providence
2-Georgetown vs. 15-MORGAN STATE
7-Clemson vs. 10-Missouri
@ Milwaukee
3-Purdue vs. 14-MONTANA
6-Richmond vs. 11-Texas-El Paso
Last four teams to make it: Utah State, Utep, Minnesota, Virginia Tech
Left to wonder what might have been: Mississippi State, Florida, Illinois
Final Four pairings
Midwest(1) vs. West(4)
East(2) vs. South(3)
Midwest region
@ Oklahoma City
1-KANSAS vs. 16-LEHIGH
8-Marquette vs. 9-Georgia Tech
@ Jacksonville
4-Tennessee vs. 13-HOUSTON
5-BUTLER vs. 12-SIENA
@ Milwaukee
2-OHIO STATE vs. 15-NORTH TEXAS
7-Xavier vs. 10-Nevada-Las Vegas
@ Providence
3-Villanova vs. 14-OHIO
6-Maryland vs. 11-Utah State
West region
@ Buffalo
1-Syracuse vs. 16-Opening Round winner
Opening Round: WINTHROP vs. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
8-Oklahoma State vs. 9-OLD DOMINION
@ San Jose
4-New Mexico vs. 13-MURRAY STATE
5-Michigan State vs. 12-Virginia Tech
@ Oklahoma City
2-Kansas State vs. 15-UC SANTA BARBARA
7-NORTHERN IOWA vs. 10-Louisville
@ San Jose
3-TEMPLE vs. 14-NEW MEXICO STATE
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-WASHINGTON
East Region
@ New Orleans
1-KENTUCKY vs. 16-ROBERT MORRIS
8-Notre Dame vs. 9-California
@ Spokane
4-Wisconsin vs. 13-WOFFORD
5-Texas A&M vs. 12-Wake Forest
@ Buffalo
2-WEST VIRGINIA vs. 15-VERMONT
7-Florida State vs. 10-SAINT MARY'S
@ New Orleans
3-Baylor vs. 14-SAM HOUSTON STATE
6-Brigham Young vs. 11-CORNELL
South region
@ Jacksonville
1-DUKE vs. 16-EAST TENNESSEE STATE
8-Texas vs. 9-SAN DIEGO STATE
@ Spokane
4-Pittsburgh vs. 13-OAKLAND
5-Vanderbilt vs. 12-Minnesota
@ Providence
2-Georgetown vs. 15-MORGAN STATE
7-Clemson vs. 10-Missouri
@ Milwaukee
3-Purdue vs. 14-MONTANA
6-Richmond vs. 11-Texas-El Paso
Last four teams to make it: Utah State, Utep, Minnesota, Virginia Tech
Left to wonder what might have been: Mississippi State, Florida, Illinois
2nd draft of the final bracket
Please note, the absolute final one will be posted after the Big Ten championship.
Final Four pairings
Midwest(1) vs. West(4)
East(2) vs. South(3)
Midwest region
@ Oklahoma City
1-KANSAS vs. 16-LEHIGH
8-Marquette vs. 9-Georgia Tech
@ Jacksonville
4-Tennessee vs. 13-HOUSTON
5-BUTLER vs. 12-SIENA
@ Milwaukee
2-Ohio State(Big Ten) vs. 15-NORTH TEXAS
7-Xavier vs. 10-SAN DIEGO STATE
@ Providence
3-Villanova vs. 14-OHIO
6-Maryland vs. 11-Utah State
West region
@ Buffalo
1-Syracuse vs. 16-Opening Round winner
Opening Round: WINTHROP vs. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
8-Oklahoma State vs. 9-OLD DOMINION
@ San Jose
4-New Mexico vs. 13-MURRAY STATE
5-Michigan State vs. 12-Virginia Tech
@ Oklahoma City
2-Kansas State vs. 15-UC SANTA BARBARA
7-NORTHERN IOWA vs. 10-Louisville
@ San Jose
3-TEMPLE vs. 14-NEW MEXICO STATE
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-WASHINGTON
East Region
@ New Orleans
1-KENTUCKY vs. 16-ROBERT MORRIS
8-Notre Dame vs. 9-California
@ Spokane
4-Wisconsin vs. 13-WOFFORD
5-Texas A&M vs. 12-Wake Forest
@ Buffalo
2-WEST VIRGINIA vs. 15-VERMONT
7-Florida State vs. 10-SAINT MARY'S
@ New Orleans
3-Baylor vs. 14-SAM HOUSTON STATE
6-Brigham Young vs. 11-CORNELL
South region
@ Jacksonville
1-DUKE vs. 16-EAST TENNESSEE STATE
8-Texas vs. 9-Nevada-Las Vegas
@ Spokane
4-Pittsburgh vs. 13-OAKLAND
5-Vanderbilt vs. 12-Minnesota
@ Providence
2-Georgetown vs. 15-MORGAN STATE
7-Clemson vs. 10-Missouri
@ Milwaukee
3-Purdue vs. 14-MONTANA
6-Richmond vs. 11-Texas-El Paso
Last four teams to make it: Utah State, Utep, Minnesota, Virginia Tech
Left to wonder what might have been: Mississippi State, Florida, Illinois
Final Four pairings
Midwest(1) vs. West(4)
East(2) vs. South(3)
Midwest region
@ Oklahoma City
1-KANSAS vs. 16-LEHIGH
8-Marquette vs. 9-Georgia Tech
@ Jacksonville
4-Tennessee vs. 13-HOUSTON
5-BUTLER vs. 12-SIENA
@ Milwaukee
2-Ohio State(Big Ten) vs. 15-NORTH TEXAS
7-Xavier vs. 10-SAN DIEGO STATE
@ Providence
3-Villanova vs. 14-OHIO
6-Maryland vs. 11-Utah State
West region
@ Buffalo
1-Syracuse vs. 16-Opening Round winner
Opening Round: WINTHROP vs. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
8-Oklahoma State vs. 9-OLD DOMINION
@ San Jose
4-New Mexico vs. 13-MURRAY STATE
5-Michigan State vs. 12-Virginia Tech
@ Oklahoma City
2-Kansas State vs. 15-UC SANTA BARBARA
7-NORTHERN IOWA vs. 10-Louisville
@ San Jose
3-TEMPLE vs. 14-NEW MEXICO STATE
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-WASHINGTON
East Region
@ New Orleans
1-KENTUCKY vs. 16-ROBERT MORRIS
8-Notre Dame vs. 9-California
@ Spokane
4-Wisconsin vs. 13-WOFFORD
5-Texas A&M vs. 12-Wake Forest
@ Buffalo
2-WEST VIRGINIA vs. 15-VERMONT
7-Florida State vs. 10-SAINT MARY'S
@ New Orleans
3-Baylor vs. 14-SAM HOUSTON STATE
6-Brigham Young vs. 11-CORNELL
South region
@ Jacksonville
1-DUKE vs. 16-EAST TENNESSEE STATE
8-Texas vs. 9-Nevada-Las Vegas
@ Spokane
4-Pittsburgh vs. 13-OAKLAND
5-Vanderbilt vs. 12-Minnesota
@ Providence
2-Georgetown vs. 15-MORGAN STATE
7-Clemson vs. 10-Missouri
@ Milwaukee
3-Purdue vs. 14-MONTANA
6-Richmond vs. 11-Texas-El Paso
Last four teams to make it: Utah State, Utep, Minnesota, Virginia Tech
Left to wonder what might have been: Mississippi State, Florida, Illinois
My projected seed list
Listed in 1-65 order, not 1-16.
1: KANSAS
2: Kentucky
3: Duke
4: Syracuse
5: WEST VIRGINIA
6: Ohio State
7: Kansas State
8: Georgetown
9: Purdue
10: Villanova
11: Baylor
12: Temple
13: Wisconsin
14: Pittsburgh
15: New Mexico
16: Tennessee
17: Michigan State
18: BUTLER
19: Vanderbilt
20: Texas A&M
21: Maryland
22: Brigham Young
23: Richmond
24: Gonzaga
25: Florida State
26: NORTHERN IOWA
27: Xavier
28: Clemson
29: Georgia Tech
30: Notre Dame
31: Texas
32: Marquette
33: Oklahoma State
34: Nevada-Las Vegas
35: California
36: SAINT MARY'S
37: Louisville
38: OLD DOMINION
39: SAN DIEGO STATE
40: Missouri
41: Wake Forest
42: WASHINGTON
43: Utah State
44: Texas-El Paso
45: CORNELL
46: Minnesota
47: Virginia Tech
48: SIENA
49: MURRAY STATE
50: OAKLAND
51: WOFFORD
52: HOUSTON
53: MONTANA
54: SAM HOUSTON STATE
55: NEW MEXICO STATE
56: OHIO
57: MORGAN STATE
58: UC SANTA BARBARA
59: NORTH TEXAS
60: VERMONT
61: EAST TENNESSEE STATE
62: ROBERT MORRIS
63: LEHIGH
64: WINTHROP
65: ARKANASAS-PINE BLUFF
1: KANSAS
2: Kentucky
3: Duke
4: Syracuse
5: WEST VIRGINIA
6: Ohio State
7: Kansas State
8: Georgetown
9: Purdue
10: Villanova
11: Baylor
12: Temple
13: Wisconsin
14: Pittsburgh
15: New Mexico
16: Tennessee
17: Michigan State
18: BUTLER
19: Vanderbilt
20: Texas A&M
21: Maryland
22: Brigham Young
23: Richmond
24: Gonzaga
25: Florida State
26: NORTHERN IOWA
27: Xavier
28: Clemson
29: Georgia Tech
30: Notre Dame
31: Texas
32: Marquette
33: Oklahoma State
34: Nevada-Las Vegas
35: California
36: SAINT MARY'S
37: Louisville
38: OLD DOMINION
39: SAN DIEGO STATE
40: Missouri
41: Wake Forest
42: WASHINGTON
43: Utah State
44: Texas-El Paso
45: CORNELL
46: Minnesota
47: Virginia Tech
48: SIENA
49: MURRAY STATE
50: OAKLAND
51: WOFFORD
52: HOUSTON
53: MONTANA
54: SAM HOUSTON STATE
55: NEW MEXICO STATE
56: OHIO
57: MORGAN STATE
58: UC SANTA BARBARA
59: NORTH TEXAS
60: VERMONT
61: EAST TENNESSEE STATE
62: ROBERT MORRIS
63: LEHIGH
64: WINTHROP
65: ARKANASAS-PINE BLUFF
Bracket Watch - Preliminary Final Bracket
This is what I think will happen should all the favorites (Duke, Temple, Ohio State, Kentucky) win today. In fact I have changed the bracket several times since initially putting it to paper. In fact it may change several times before the final one is released before 5 PM CT. That said, in my next post, I'll post my seed list.
Final Four pairings
Midwest(1) vs. West(4)
East(2) vs. South(3)
Midwest region
@ Oklahoma City
1-KANSAS vs. 16-LEHIGH
8-Marquette vs. 9-Georgia Tech
@ San Jose
4-Tennessee vs. 13-HOUSTON
5-BUTLER vs. 12-SIENA
@ Milwaukee
2-Ohio State(Big Ten) vs. 15-NORTH TEXAS
7-Xavier vs. 10-SAN DIEGO STATE
@ Providence
3-Villanova vs. 14-OHIO
6-Maryland vs. 11-Utah State
West region
@ Buffalo
1-Syracuse vs. 16-Opening Round winner
Opening Round: WINTHROP vs. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
8-Oklahoma State vs. 9-OLD DOMINION
@ San Jose
4-New Mexico vs. 13-MURRAY STATE
5-Michigan State vs. 12-Virginia Tech
@ Oklahoma City
2-Kansas State vs. 15-UC SANTA BARBARA
7-NORTHERN IOWA vs. 10-Louisville
@ Jacksonville
3-Temple(Atlantic 10) vs. 14-NEW MEXICO STATE
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-WASHINGTON
East Region
@ New Orleans
1-Kentucky(Southeastern) vs. 16-ROBERT MORRIS
8-Notre Dame vs. 9-California
@ Spokane
4-Wisconsin vs. 13-WOFFORD
5-Texas A&M vs. 12-Wake Forest
@ Buffalo
2-WEST VIRGINIA vs. 15-VERMONT
7-Florida State vs. 10-SAINT MARY'S
@ New Orleans
3-Baylor vs. 14-SAM HOUSTON STATE
6-Brigham Young vs. 11-CORNELL
South region
@ Jacksonville
1-Duke(Atlantic Coast) vs. 16-EAST TENNESSEE STATE
8-Texas vs. 9-Nevada-Las Vegas
@ Spokane
4-Pittsburgh vs. 13-OAKLAND
5-Vanderbilt vs. 12-Minnesota
@ Providence
2-Georgetown vs. 15-MORGAN STATE
7-Clemson vs. 10-Missouri
@ Milwaukee
3-Purdue vs. 14-MONTANA
6-Richmond vs. 11-Texas-El Paso
Last four teams to make it: Utah State, Utep, Minnesota, Virginia Tech
First four left in the dust: Mississippi State, Florida, Illinois, Seton Hall
Everyone else who could be considered: Arizona State, William & Mary, Memphis, Miami(FL), Wichita State
Final Four pairings
Midwest(1) vs. West(4)
East(2) vs. South(3)
Midwest region
@ Oklahoma City
1-KANSAS vs. 16-LEHIGH
8-Marquette vs. 9-Georgia Tech
@ San Jose
4-Tennessee vs. 13-HOUSTON
5-BUTLER vs. 12-SIENA
@ Milwaukee
2-Ohio State(Big Ten) vs. 15-NORTH TEXAS
7-Xavier vs. 10-SAN DIEGO STATE
@ Providence
3-Villanova vs. 14-OHIO
6-Maryland vs. 11-Utah State
West region
@ Buffalo
1-Syracuse vs. 16-Opening Round winner
Opening Round: WINTHROP vs. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
8-Oklahoma State vs. 9-OLD DOMINION
@ San Jose
4-New Mexico vs. 13-MURRAY STATE
5-Michigan State vs. 12-Virginia Tech
@ Oklahoma City
2-Kansas State vs. 15-UC SANTA BARBARA
7-NORTHERN IOWA vs. 10-Louisville
@ Jacksonville
3-Temple(Atlantic 10) vs. 14-NEW MEXICO STATE
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-WASHINGTON
East Region
@ New Orleans
1-Kentucky(Southeastern) vs. 16-ROBERT MORRIS
8-Notre Dame vs. 9-California
@ Spokane
4-Wisconsin vs. 13-WOFFORD
5-Texas A&M vs. 12-Wake Forest
@ Buffalo
2-WEST VIRGINIA vs. 15-VERMONT
7-Florida State vs. 10-SAINT MARY'S
@ New Orleans
3-Baylor vs. 14-SAM HOUSTON STATE
6-Brigham Young vs. 11-CORNELL
South region
@ Jacksonville
1-Duke(Atlantic Coast) vs. 16-EAST TENNESSEE STATE
8-Texas vs. 9-Nevada-Las Vegas
@ Spokane
4-Pittsburgh vs. 13-OAKLAND
5-Vanderbilt vs. 12-Minnesota
@ Providence
2-Georgetown vs. 15-MORGAN STATE
7-Clemson vs. 10-Missouri
@ Milwaukee
3-Purdue vs. 14-MONTANA
6-Richmond vs. 11-Texas-El Paso
Last four teams to make it: Utah State, Utep, Minnesota, Virginia Tech
First four left in the dust: Mississippi State, Florida, Illinois, Seton Hall
Everyone else who could be considered: Arizona State, William & Mary, Memphis, Miami(FL), Wichita State
Reminders
Look for my 1st draft of the final bracket to come out by Noon, with the final edition to be released after the Big Ten championship.
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