Top four seed lines as of 11:30 PM

After a crazy Saturday(and that's both basketball and hockey, thank you very much), here's who I have at the top of the bracket.

1-Ohio State, Kansas, Duke, Notre Dame
2-Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Florida, San Diego State
3-Texas, Connecticut, Brigham Young, Purdue
4-Louisville, Kentucky, St. John's, Syracuse

The last four byes: Penn State, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Colorado
The last four in the field: Michigan State, St. Mary's, Georgia(surprise), Clemson
The first four left out: Alabama, UTEP, Boston College, Southern California
The next three left out: Harvard, Missouri State, UAB

Note: I will post an early bracket by Noon CDT(did you forget to spring ahead?), with a final one to be posted after the early games end, so it's quite likely that the projection I post in the morning could end up the final one.

Top four seed lines as of 10:50 PM

UPDATE: I had to do it over after Virginia Tech pulled out a 52-51 win over Florida State.

I don't think I'll have time tomorrow to do a seed update(much less a bracket update), so instead I'm doing a top seeds update and a last four update.

1-Ohio State, Kansas, Notre Dame, Duke
2-Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Brigham Young, North Carolina
3-Purdue, Texas, Louisville, Connecticut
4-San Diego State, Florida, Kentucky, St. John's

Last four to gain 2nd round bye: Michigan State, Villanova, St. Mary's, Colorado
Last four in as of 10:50: Clemson, Alabama, Virginia Tech, Penn State
The under consideraion board(in order): Southern California, Richmond, Memphis, Georgia, Missouri State, UAB
Bid poachers: Dayton, St. Joseph's, Oregon, Boise State/New Mexico State winner

Bracket Watch '11 - Two days to Selection Sunday

I had something really witty in mind before revealing the newest projected bracket, but I won't. Not after Japan suffered it's largest earthquake in it's history, which also triggered tsunami warnings for Hawai'i and the West Coast. My thoughts and prayers are on those that are suffering through this time of what will be a great loss. Godspeed Japan, godspeed.

Now on to the projections:

Final Four pairings
East(1) vs. West(4)
Southwest(2) vs. Southeast(3)

The First Four
Tuesday: McNeese State(Southland) vs. UNC ASHEVILLE; Alabama vs. Virginia Tech
Wednesday: Texas Southern(Southwestern) vs. UALR; Richmond vs. Clemson

East region

@ Cleveland
1-Ohio State vs. 16-Texas Southern/UALR
8-Marquette vs. 9-Washington
@ Tucson
4-Connecticut vs. 13-WOFFORD
5-Vanderbilt vs. 12-Boston College
@ Washington, D.C.
2-Syracuse vs. 15-Bucknell(Patriot)
7-OLD DOMINION vs. 10-Illinois
@ Tulsa
3-Texas vs. 14-Kent State(Mid-American)
6-Xavier(Atlantic 10) vs. 11-St. Mary's

West region

@ Cleveland
1-Pittsburgh vs. 16-Bethune Cookman(Mid-Eastern)
8-Utah State(Western Athletic) vs. 9-Missouri
@ Denver
4-Wisconsin vs. 13-OAKLAND
5-Arizona(Pacific-10) vs. 12-Alabama/Virginia Tech
@ Charlotte
2-Duke vs. 15-MOREHEAD STATE
7-Tennessee vs. 10-Michigan
@ Tucson
3-San Diego State vs. 14-INDIANA STATE
6-Texas A&M vs. 11-Villanova

Southwest region

@ Tulsa
1-Kansas(Big 12) vs. 16-McNeese State/UNC ASHEVILLE
8-Unlv vs. 9-Florida State
@ Tampa
4-Louisville vs. 13-Utep(Conference USA)
5-Temple vs. 12-Michigan State
@ Chicago
2-Purdue vs. 15-Boston University(America East)
7-Cincinnati vs. 10-BUTLER
@ Tampa
3-Florida(Southeastern) vs. 14-LONG ISLAND
6-West Virginia vs. 11-Colorado

Southeast region

@ Chicago
1-Notre Dame(Big East) vs. 16-NORTHERN COLORADO
8-Ucla vs. 9-George Mason
@ Washington, D.C.
4-St. John's vs. 13-Harvard or Princeton(Ivy)
5-Kentucky vs. 12-Richmond/Clemson
@ Denver
2-Brigham Young(Mountain West) vs. 15-Long Beach State(Big West)
7-Kansas State vs. 10-GONZAGA
@ Charlotte
3-North Carolina(Atlantic Coast) vs. 14-SAINT PETER'S
6-Georgetown vs. 11-BELMONT

New to the field: Utep
Leaving the field: Uab

Last four to get byes: Villanova, Colorado, Boston College, Michigan State
Last four in the field: Richmond, Clemson, Alabama, Virginia Tech
First four left out: Southern California, Georgia, Memphis, Uab
Next four left out: Missouri State, Penn State, New Mexico, Washington State

Seed range for teams not in the field, but could play their way in through conference championships:
Lehigh(First four)
Stony Brook(First four)
Utsa(First four)

Bracket Watch '11 - Three Days to Selection Sunday

The projected field of 68 contains the same teams that were in the last projection, but plenty of teams moved up to solidify their standing, whilst others stumbled. On the outside, both Nebraska(by one to Oklahoma State) and Baylor(who got vaporized by Oklahoma) lost, ending their hopes of dancing, while Marquette can now consider themselves a locked in team. Today will feature even more bubble teams looking to either make a statement, or make fools of themselves.

On the automatics front, Long Island and Robert Morris played a thriller for the Northeast crown, the Blackbirds eventually winning in OT after the Colonials scored the tying three ball in the last seconds of regulation. In the Big Sky, Northern Colorado scored it's first ever bid to the dance at Montana's expense, but it was back and forth as to whom would win. There are no automatic bids at stake tonight.

Here's how the results resulted in the newest projections.

Final Four pairings
East(1) vs. West(4)
Southwest(2) vs. Southeast(3)

The First Four
Tuesday: Alabama vs. Clemson; UNC ASHEVILLE vs. Texas Southern(Southwestern)
Wednesday: Colorado vs. Virginia Tech; McNeese State(Southland) vs. UALR

East region

@ Cleveland
1-Ohio State(Big Ten) vs. 16-McNeese State/UALR
8-Georgetown vs. 9-Florida State
@ Tucson
4-Connecticut vs. 13-OAKLAND
5-Xavier(Atlantic 10) vs. 12-Alabama/Clemson
@ Washington, D.C.
2-Syracuse vs. 15-Bucknell(Patriot)
7-Ucla vs. 10-Illinois
@ Tulsa
3-Texas vs. 14-MOREHEAD STATE
6-Vanderbilt vs. 11-St. Mary's

West region

@ Chicago
1-Notre Dame vs. 16-UNC ASHEVILLE/Texas Southern
8-Utah State(Western Athletic) vs. 9-Michigan
@ Tampa
4-Florida(Southeastern) vs. 13-BELMONT
5-Kansas State vs. 12-Uab(Conference USA)
@ Charlotte
2-Duke vs. 15-Boston University(America East)
7-OLD DOMINION vs. 10-Villanova
@ Tucson
3-San Diego State vs. 14-INDIANA STATE
6-Temple vs. 11-Washington

Southwest region

@ Tulsa
1-Kansas(Big 12) vs. 16-NORTHERN COLORADO
8-Tennessee vs. 9-Marquette
@ Denver
4-Louisville vs. 13-WOFFORD
5-Arizona(Pacific-10) vs. 12-Michigan State
@ Chicago
2-Purdue vs. 15-Kent State(Mid-American)
7-Unlv vs. 10-BUTLER
@ Charlotte
3-North Carolina(Atlantic Coast) vs. 14-LONG ISLAND
6-West Virginia vs. 11-Richmond

Southeast region

@ Cleveland
1-Pittsburgh(Big East) vs. 16-Bethune Cookman(Mid-Eastern)
8-Missouri vs. 9-George Mason
@ Washington, D.C.
4-St. John's vs. 13-Harvard or Princeton(Ivy)
5-Kentucky vs. 12-Colorado/Virginia Tech
@ Denver
2-Brigham Young(Mountain West) vs. 15-Long Beach State(Big West)
7-Texas A&M vs. 10-GONZAGA
@ Tampa
3-Wisconsin vs. 14-SAINT PETER'S
6-Cincinnati vs. 11-Boston College

New to the field: None
Leaving the field: None

Last four in the field(by seed list): Alabama, Clemson, Colorado, Virginia Tech
First four left out: Southern California, Georgia, Missouri State, Memphis
Next four left out: Washington State, Oklahoma State, Colorado State, Penn State
The under consideration board: Duquesne, Nebraska, Utep, Wichita State(yeah, I had to scrape the bottom of the barrel for the under consideration list.)

Bracket Watch '11 - Four Days to Selection Sunday

In terms of my projections(and of others), a bid opened up last night as a result of Butler's domination of Milwaukee in the Horizon League final. But realistically, no one expected the Panthers to do the deed three times against the unflustered Bulldogs, whose reaction to the win was exactly the same as a regular season game(Heck, I'm not sure that a single net was cut into), very ho-hum, another game another win. Also last night, Princeton dominated Penn in the second half to force a one-game playoff with Harvard on Yale's home court, Oakland cruised in the second half to down Oral Roberts for the summit of the Summit, and UALR's cinderella run through the Sun Belt ended with a win against North Texas. The play of the game was Solomon Bozman's game winning three-ball in the closing seconds, capping a 6-1 run in the last 17 seconds.

Amongst the big boys, Villanova is in huge trouble, pulling defeat from the jaws of victory in a 70-69 loss to South Florida. They're still in for now, but it would not be out of the realm of possibility for the Wildcats to miss the big dance.

With yesterday out of the way, here's how the projected field stacks up:

Final Four pairings
East(1) vs. West(4)
Southwest(2) vs. Southeast(3)

The First Four
Tuesday: Alabama vs. Virginia Tech; McNeese State(Southland) vs. UALR
Wednesday: Clemson vs. Colorado; Texas Southern(Southwestern) vs. UNC ASHEVILLE

East region

@ Cleveland
1-Ohio State(Big Ten) vs. 16-Texas Southern/UNC ASHEVILLE
8-George Mason vs. 9-Villanova
@ Tampa
4-Louisville vs. 13-Harvard or Princeton(Ivy)
5-Xavier(Atlantic 10) vs. 12-Michigan State
@ Tucson
2-San Diego State vs. 15-MOREHEAD STATE
7-Vanderbilt vs. 10-BUTLER
@ Washington, D.C.
3-St. John's vs. 14-Bucknell(Patriot)
6-Arizona vs. 11-Boston College*

West region

@ Chicago
1-Notre Dame vs. 16-McNeese State/UALR
8-Utah State(Western Athletic) vs. 9-Illinois
@ Tucson
4-Kentucky vs. 13-BELMONT
5-Kansas State vs. 12-Richmond*
@ Charlotte
2-Duke vs. 15-SAINT PETER'S
7-Georgetown vs. 10-Washington
@ Tulsa
3-Texas vs. 14-INDIANA STATE
6-Cincinnati vs. 11-GONZAGA

Southwest region

@ Tulsa
1-Kansas(Big 12) vs. 16-Northern Colorado(Big Sky)
8-Unlv vs. 9-Tennessee
@ Denver
4-Wisconsin vs. 13-OAKLAND
5-West Virginia vs. 12-Alabama/Virginia Tech
@ Washington, D.C.
2-Syracuse vs. 15-Boston University(America East)
7-Temple vs. 10-Michigan*
@ Charlotte
3-North Carolina(Atlantic Coast) vs. 14-Kent State(Mid-American)
6-Texas A&M vs. 11-Uab(Conference USA)*

Southeast region
@ Cleveland
1-Pittsburgh(Big East) vs. 16-Bethune Cookman(Mid-Eastern)
8-OLD DOMINION vs. 9-Florida State
@ Tampa
4-Florida(Southeastern) vs. 13-WOFFORD
5-Connecticut vs. 12-Clemson*/Colorado*
@ Denver
2-Brigham Young(Mountain West) vs. 15-Long Island(Northeast)
7-Ucla vs. 10-Marquette
@ Chicago
3-Purdue vs. 14-Long Beach State(Big West)
6-Missouri vs. 11-St. Mary's*

New to the field: Virginia Tech, UALR
Leaving the field: Milwaukee, North Texas

Last four in the field(by seed list): Alabama, Clemson, Colorado, Virginia Tech
First four left out: Southern California, Georgia, Missouri State, Memphis
Next four left out: Virginia Commonwealth, Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Washington State
The under-consideration board: Penn State, UTEP, Wichita State

Seeding range for tonight's finalists not in the field:
Montana(16)
Robert Morris(16 or First Four)

Bracket Watch '11 - Five Days to Selection Sunday

Last night saw two games that had direct relevance to the bubble and the results were positive. The first one, the Colonial final, saw Old Dominion get out to as much as an 18-point lead before VCU stormed back to within 2. Ultimately, the Monarchs' interior dominance did the Rams in and resulted in a 70-65 win. For the bubble, it's a significant sigh of relief as both the Monarchs and George Mason were in regardless of what happened last night. The second game, the West Coast final in Las Vegas, saw Gonzaga and St. Mary's see-saw the lead well into the second half. But foul trouble for it's two most prominent interior players spelt an inevitable defeat for the Gaels, who now, for the second time in three years, leave themselves exposed to the hungry pack of bid poachers ready to swipe in at a moment's notice.

Here's the latest projection update, with two changes. Connecticut and Missouri swap seeds to better fit their profiles, while WOFFORD and Oakland swap regions to avoid a Wisconsin-WOFFORD rematch. These projections are done as always as if the season has ended.

Final Four pairings
East(1) vs. West(4)
Southwest(2) vs. Southeast(3)

The First Four
Tuesday: Colorado vs. Alabama; Northern Colorado(Big Sky) vs. McNeese State(Southland)
Wednesday: Michigan State vs. Clemson; Texas Southern(Southwestern) vs. UNC ASHEVILLE

East region

@ Cleveland
1-Ohio State(Big Ten) vs. 16-Texas Southern/UNC ASHEVILLE
8-Villanova vs. 9-George Mason
@ Tampa
4-Louisville vs. 13-Harvard or Princeton(Ivy)
5-Xavier(Atlantic 10) vs. 12-BELMONT
@ Tucson
2-San Diego State vs. 15-MOREHEAD STATE
7-Vanderbilt vs. 10-Butler*
@ Washington, D.C.
3-St. John's vs. 14-Bucknell(Patriot)
6-Arizona vs. 11-Boston College*

West region

@ Chicago
1-Notre Dame vs. 16-Northern Colorado/McNeese State
8-Utah State(Western Athletic) vs. 9-Illinois
@ Tucson
4-Kentucky vs. 13-Milwaukee(Horizon)
5-Kansas State vs. 12-Richmond
@ Charlotte
2-Duke vs. 15-SAINT PETER'S
7-Georgetown vs. 10-Washington
@ Tulsa
3-Texas vs. 14-INDIANA STATE
6-Cincinnati vs. 11-GONZAGA

Southwest region

@ Tulsa
1-Kansas(Big 12) vs. 16-Bethune Cookman(Mid-Eastern)
8-Unlv vs. 9-Tennessee
@ Denver
4-Wisconsin vs. 13-Oakland(Summit)
5-West Virginia vs. 12-Colorado*/Alabama*
@ Washington, D.C.
2-Syracuse vs. 15-Boston University(America East)
7-Temple vs. 10-Michigan*
@ Charlotte
3-North Carolina(Atlantic Coast) vs. 14-Kent State(Mid-American)
6-Texas A&M vs. 11-Uab(Conference USA)*

Southeast region

@ Cleveland
1-Pittsburgh(Big East) vs. 16-North Texas(Sun Belt)
8-OLD DOMINION vs. 9-Florida State
@ Tampa
4-Florida(Southeastern) vs. 13-WOFFORD
5-Connecticut vs. 12-Michigan State*/Clemson*
@ Denver
2-Brigham Young(Mountain West) vs. 15-Long Island(Northeast)
7-Ucla vs. 10-Marquette
@ Chicago
3-Purdue vs. 14-Long Beach State(Big West)
6-Missouri vs. 11-St. Mary's*

New to the field: SAINT PETER'S, WOFFORD, North Texas
Leaving the field: Iona, College of Charleston, Middle Tennessee

Last four in the field(by seed list): Michigan State, Alabama, Clemson, Colorado First four left out: Virginia Tech, Southern California, Georgia, Missouri State
Next four left out: Memphis, Virginia Commonwealth, Oklahoma State, Nebraska The under-consideration board: Penn State, UTEP, Wichita State

Seeding range for tonight's finalists not in the field:
Oral Roberts: 13-14
Arkansas-Little Rock: First Four

Bracket Watch '11 - Six Days to Selection Sunday

And DOWN the stretch they come! Michigan State starting to fade...Here comes VCU on the rail! Colorado on the outside! Missouri State's out of it! Virginia Tech and Alabama neck and neck! Here's the finish...AND IT'S TOO CLOSE TO CALL!! THEY WILL HAVE TO GO TO THE PHOTO TO DETERMINE WHO'S IN AND WHO'S OUT! MY WHAT A FINISH.

That's the kind of call Dave Johnson would have if he were to handicap the bubble picture. And this year, that call would be very close to the truth. And around the NIT bubble, it's even worse, as conference champions have taken up five(and potentially six) spots so far.

There's also a change at the top of the bracket, as Duke's 81-67 loss to North Carolina dropped the Blue Devils to a 2 seed. Who's replacing them, Notre Dame; after a 70-67 win over UConn. The other three top seeds are safe(for now at least).

Starting with this bracket, teams that have already qualified for the dance of all dances will be in all CAPS.

Projection done as if the season has ended:

Final Four pairings:
East(1) vs. West(4)
Southwest(2) vs. Southeast(3)

The First Four:
Tuesday: Colorado vs. Alabama; Northern Colorado(Big Sky) vs. McNeese State(Southland
Wednesday: Michigan State vs. Clemson; Texas Southern(Southwestern) vs. UNC ASHEVILLE

East region

@ Cleveland
1-Ohio State(Big Ten) vs. 16-Texas Southern/UNC ASHEVILLE
8-Villanova vs. 9-George Mason
@ Tampa
4-Louisville vs. 13-Harvard or Princeton(Ivy)
5-Xavier(Atlantic 10) vs. 12-BELMONT
@ Tucson
2-San Diego State vs. 15-MOREHEAD STATE
7-Vanderbilt vs. 10-Butler*
@ Washington, D.C.
3-St. John's vs. 14-Bucknell(Patriot)
6-Arizona vs. 11-Boston College*

West region

@ Chicago
1-Notre Dame vs. 16-Northern Colorado/McNeese State
8-Utah State(Western Athletic) vs. 9-Illinois
@ Tucson
4-Kentucky vs. 13-Milwaukee(Horizon)
5-Kansas State vs. 12-Richmond
@ Charlotte
2-Duke vs. 15-Iona(Metro Atlantic)
7-Georgetown vs. 10-Washington
@ Tulsa
3-Texas vs. 14-INDIANA STATE
6-Cincinnati vs. 11-Gonzaga*

Southwest region

@ Tulsa
1-Kansas(Big 12) vs. 16-Bethune Cookman(Mid-Eastern)
8-Unlv vs. 9-Tennessee
@ Denver
4-Wisconsin vs. 13-College of Charleston(Southern)
5-West Virginia vs. 12-Colorado*/Alabama*
@ Washington, D.C.
2-Syracuse vs. 15-Boston University(America East)
7-Temple vs. 10-Michigan*
@ Charlotte
3-North Carolina(Atlantic Coast) vs. 14-Kent State(Mid-American)
6-Texas A&M vs. 11-Uab(Conference USA)*

Southeast region

@ Cleveland
1-Pittsburgh(Big East) vs. 16-Middle Tennessee(Sun Belt)
8-Old Dominion(Colonial) vs. 9-Florida State
@ Tampa
4-Florida(Southeastern) vs. 13-Oakland(Summit)
5-Missouri vs. 12-Michigan State/Clemson
@ Denver
2-Brigham Young(Mountain West) vs. 15-Long Island(Northeast)
7-Ucla vs. 10-Marquette
@ Chicago
3-Purdue vs. 14-Long Beach State(Big West)
6-Connecticut vs. 11-St. Mary's(West Coast)

New to the field: Clemson, UNC ASHEVILLE, Colorado, Iona, INDIANA STATE, MOREHEAD STATE, Alabama, Middle Tennessee
Leaving the field: Virginia Tech, Coastal Carolina, Fairfield, Missouri State, Wichita State, Murray State, Georgia, Florida Atlantic

Last four in the field(by seed list): Michigan State, Alabama, Clemson, Colorado
First four left out: Virginia Tech, Southern California, Georgia, Missouri State
Next four left out: Memphis, Virginia Commonwealth, Oklahoma State, Nebraska
The under-consideration board: Penn State, UTEP, Wichita State

Seeding range for tonight's finalists not in the field:
St. Peter's(15-16)
Virginia Commonwealth(11-13)
Wofford(13-14)