Could next week be the week?

With the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee conducting their annual mock bracket AND the Championships/Sports Management Cabinet holding their bi-annual meetings, all occuring next week Indianapolis, you think we might get some news on who will host the East Regional in 2013?

If you haven't been reading this blog, back in 2009, the NCAA named the host sites for the early rounds of the 2011, 12 and 13 tournaments. But one was left open. It has been speculated that the NCAA wants the regional held at Madison Square Garden, which is undergoing a massive renovation. But that won't be finished until the fall of 2013(The recent NBA Lockout will make the construction schedule this summer even more maddening). On top of all that there are scheduling conflicts with the Knicks, the Rangers, and the Circus, especially the Circus, to deal with. Any and all attempts to unearth anything that would lead to a clue have turned up fruitless. Hopefully with the two groups meeting, we might get some news on the East Regional front, especially with the fact that both the NBA and the NHL have to get their schedules ready for next season. But if not, the whole thing may move to as late as September. With tickets due to go on sale April 1st, if not sooner, the naming of the site needs to occur as quickly as possible.

Open Court - February 9th

BEAST MODE.

That was the state of mood Duke's Austin Rivers was in when he sank a cold-blooded, walk-off three-ball against North Carolina last night. Who's gonna be in beast mode tonight? Discuss freely.

Open Court - February 7th

Sorry about the lack of open courts in recent weeks. Enjoy this one tonight. Highlighting tonight's action is Florida at Kentucky as the Gators try to halt the Wildcats' streak of 48 straight wins in Rupp Arena.

Bracket Watch '12 - M.I.A. not included

Anyone(other than me, save possibly for Kyle Wheliston) see last night's Superb Owl halftime act? I'll save you the trouble if you didn't. Someone executed a bird flip. End of story. No on to this week's field: As always, it is done as if the season ended the day before.

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

First Four pairings:
Tuesday: Texas-Arlington(Southland) vs. Mississippi Valley State(Southwestern); Central Florida vs. Cincinnati
Wednesday: UNC Asheville(Big South) vs. Stony Brook(America East); Texas vs. Wyoming

EAST Region

Pittsburgh
1-Syracuse(Big East) vs. 16-UTA/MVSU
8-Temple(Atlantic 10) vs. 9-Illinois
Portland
4-San Diego State(Mountain West) vs. 13-Long Beach State(Big West)(Note: Rematch could not be avoided.)
5-Wichita State vs. 12-Iona(Metro Atlantic)
Greensboro
2-North Carolina vs. 15-Belmont(Atlantic Sun)
7-Connecticut vs. 10-Iowa State
Nashville
3-Florida vs. 14-Drexel(Colonial)
6-Michigan vs. 11-California

WEST Region

Omaha
1-Missouri(Big 12) vs. 16-UNCA/Stony Brook
8-Wisconsin vs. 9-Southern Mississippi(Conference USA)
Columbus
4-Marquette vs. 13-Texas/Wyoming
5-Indiana vs. 12-Middle Tennessee(Sun Belt)
Greensboro
2-Duke vs. 15-Long Island(Northeast)
7-Vanderbilt vs. 10-Minnesota
Portland
3-UNLV vs. 14-Cleveland State(Horizon)
6-Louisville vs. 11-Brigham Young

SOUTH Region

Louisville
1-Kentucky(Southeastern) vs. 16-Weber State(Big Sky)
8-West Virginia vs. 9-New Mexico
Portland
4-Creighton(Missouri Valley) vs. 13-Central Florida/Cincinnati
5-St. Mary's(West Coast) vs. 12-Purdue
Columbus
2-Michigan State vs. 15-Bucknell(Patriot)
7-Alabama vs. 10-Memphis
Albuquerque
3-Baylor vs. 14-Oral Roberts(Summit)
6-Virginia vs. 11-Washington(Pacific-12)

MIDWEST Region

Pittsburgh
1-Ohio State(Big Ten) vs. 16-Norfolk State(Mid-Eastern)
8-Kansas State vs. 9-Notre Dame
Louisville
4-Georgetown vs. 13-Davidson(Southern)
5-Murray State(Ohio Valley) vs. 12-Colorado State
Omaha
2-Kansas vs. 15-Akron(Mid-American)
7-Harvard(Ivy) vs. 10-Gonzaga
Nashville
3-Florida State(Atlantic Coast) vs. 14-Nevada(Western Athletic)
6-Mississippi State vs. 11-Xavier

Last four in the field: Texas, Wyoming, Central Florida, Cincinnati
First four left out: Saint Louis, Seton Hall, Dayton, Northwestern
Next four left out: NC State, Northern Iowa, Mississippi, Arizona
Under Consideration: Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Oregon, Miami(FL), Missouri State, South Dakota State, Massachusetts, LaSalle, South Florida, Marshall, Valparaiso

If Kyle Wheliston reads this blog...

...the final score is...

New York Giants 21
New England Patriots 17.

In fact, if he doesn't read this board, someone should send this post immediately upon reading.

P.S. The bracket has been made out(during halftime no less), but I will post it in the morning.