Questions and answers on what to expect

Who's the last #1?
If all indications are correct, Kentucky, Syracuse, and North Carolina should be good to go for the top line. But after that, it's a tossup between two Big Ten and two Big 12 teams. Kansas has been on fire recently, but it lost to Baylor in the Big 12 semis. Missouri lost out on the Big 12 regular season title, but won the conference tournament in it's last duties as a basketball-playing member. Michigan State has done surprisingly well against a killer non-conference slate, not to mention surviving a difficult Big Ten. Same with Ohio State, who defeated the likes of Duke. Who will get it? I still say Kansas, but it would not shock me to see one of the other three up there with a 1 next to it.

Who does the bubble have to root against?
UC Santa Barbara, tonight, and St. Bonaventure, tomorrow. By my account, both Long Beach State have done enough to earn at-large status. But they can help the bubble out by winning their respective conference games.

Where does Kentucky go?
Most of the season, most bracketologists had the Wildcats going to the South Regional in Atlanta. But recently, some, not all, have put the Wildcats in St. Louis for the Midwest Regional. In terms of mileage, Lexington is about 40 miles closer to St. Louis than to Atlanta. And with the emergence of North Carolina, it looks more or less likely Kentucky will go to St. Louis for regional play(much to the disgust of our Kansas readership, the Jayhawks would be shipped out west to Phoenix. Syracuse, the other lock for a 1, looks to be a lock for Boston).

Will anyone get all 68 teams right?
Not likely, but certainly possible.

Well that's all from me for tonight. See you tomorrow, and don't forget to turn your clocks ahead an hour before you sleep.

Bracket Watch '12 - Saturday Night

Sorry about the lateness of my projections today, I was a bit busy. Here's my latest update as of 6:30 PM this evening(not considering the Pacific-12 and Big 12 finals). Seeds Only(no bracket until tomorrow).

1-Kentucky(Midwest), Syracuse(East), North Carolina(South), Kansas(West)
2-Michigan State, Missouri, Ohio State, Duke
3-Baylor, Marquette, Wisconsin, Florida State
4-Michigan, Indiana, MURRAY STATE, Vanderbilt
5-Louisville, Georgetown, Unlv, Wichita State
6-SAINT MARY'S, Cincinnati, Temple, CREIGHTON
7-Gonzaga, Florida, San Diego State, New Mexico
8-Notre Dame, MEMPHIS, Iowa State, Kansas State
9-Virginia, Alabama, Purdue, HARVARD
10-Connecticut, Long Beach State, Saint Louis, California
11-West Virginia, Southern Mississippi, Xavier, Brigham Young
12-Colorado State, Texas, VCU, Washington(First Four), NC State(First Four)
13-South Florida(First Four), Drexel(First Four), Arizona, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE, DAVIDSON
14-LOYOLA(MD), New Mexico State, MONTANA, BELMONT
15-Akron, DETROIT, LEHIGH, UNC ASHEVILLE
16-LAMAR, LONG ISLAND, NORFOLK STATE(First Four), VERMONT(First Four), Mississippi Valley State(First Four), WESTERN KENTUCKY(First Four)

First four in line for a bid: Mississippi State(52), Seton Hall(53), Iona(54), Northwestern(55)
Next three left out: Mississippi(56), Oral Roberts(59), Nevada(60)

Bracket Watch '12 - Friday Bracket

Close games, burst bubbles, overtime games, double overtime games, triple overtime games, hysterics abound. Man that had to be the wildest Thursday in Championship Week history. And all of this is captured in the latest projection based on what's going on. And if that doesn't get your attention, then I don't know what will.

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

First Four pairings
Tuesday: Mississippi Valley State(Southwestern) vs. WESTERN KENTUCKY; Xavier vs. South Florida
Wednesday: Norfolk State(Mid-Eastern) vs. Lamar(Southland); Mississippi State vs. Drexel

SOUTH Regional

Louisville
1-Kentucky(Southeastern) vs. 16-Mississippi Valley State/WESTERN KENTUCKY
8-Iowa State vs. 9-Saint Louis
Nashville
4-Florida State vs. 13-SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
5-Georgetown vs. 12-VCU
Columbus
2-Michigan State(Big Ten) vs. 15-DETROIT
7-Notre Dame vs. 10-Southern Mississippi
Albuquerque
3-Baylor vs. 14-BELMONT
6-Wichita State vs. 11-Long Beach State(Big West)

WEST Regional

Greensboro
1-North Carolina(Atlantic Coast) vs. 16-Norfolk State/Lamar
8-Cincinnati vs. 9-Kansas State
Portland
4-MURRAY STATE vs. 13-Tennessee
5-Unlv vs. 12-Brigham Young
Omaha
2-Missouri vs. 15-LEHIGH
7-Memphis(Conference USA) vs. 10-Connecticut
Columbus
3-Wisconsin vs. 14-LOYOLA(MD)
6-Florida vs. 11-West Virginia

EAST Regional

Pittsburgh
1-Syracuse(Big East) vs. 16-Stony Brook or Vermont(America East)
8-Virginia vs. 9-Purdue
Nashville
4-Temple(Atlantic 10) vs. 13-Mississippi State/Drexel
5-SAINT MARY'S vs. 12-Washington
Greensboro
2-Duke vs. 15-UNC ASHEVILLE
7-San Diego State(Mountain West) vs. 10-Alabama
Pittsburgh
3-Michigan vs. 14-DAVIDSON
6-Louisville vs. 11-Texas

MIDWEST Regional

Omaha
1-Kansas(Big 12) vs. 16-LONG ISLAND
8-New Mexico vs. 9-HARVARD
Albuquerque
4-Indiana vs. 13-Nevada(Western Athletic)
5-Vanderbilt vs. 12-Xavier/South Florida
Louisville
2-Ohio State vs. 15-Akron(Mid-American)
7-CREIGHTON vs. 10-California(Pacific-12)
Portland
3-Marquette vs. 14-MONTANA
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-Colorado State

Line Adjustments:
Up 1 seed line: Harvard: Xavier/South Florida winner
Down 1 seed line: Alabama, Tennessee

Last four in the field(by seed list number): Xavier(48), Mississippi State(50), South Florida(51), Drexel(52)
First four left out: Seton Hall(53), Northwestern(54), North Carolina State(55), Iona(56)
Next four left out: Miami(FL)(57), Arizona(58), Oregon(59), Oral Roberts(61)
Also under consideration: Central Florida, Dayton, St. Joseph's, Marshall, Mississippi, Middle Tennessee, Minnesota

Important Note for Saturday

As you may already know, I'll be attending the Minnesota State High School Boy's Hockey Championships on Saturday, so if it's possible to do so, I'll have a bracket up early that day. If not, the next projection will be on Sunday morning, with the final one to be revealed after the early games are played.

Bracket Watch '12 - Thursday Update

Jeff Hathaway gave it away during his Indy presser, Peyton Manning is replacing him as chairman of the selection committee-NO WAIT! That wasn't it....Kentucky and Syracuse will be #1 seeds. As for the rest of the field, they're going to have to wait. But in the meantime, with enough results out there to be an influence, here's a freshly updated look at the field of 68.

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

First Four Pairings
Tuesday: Norfolk State(Mid-Eastern) vs. WESTERN KENTUCKY; Tennesse vs. Xavier
Wednesday: Stony Brook(America East) vs. Mississippi Valley State(Southwestern); Colorado State vs. Texas

SOUTH Regional

Louisville
1-Kentucky(Southeastern) vs. 16-Norfolk State/WESTERN KENTUCKY
8-Kansas State vs. 9-Saint Louis
Portland
4-Georgetown vs. 13-Nevada(Western Athletic)
5-SAINT MARY'S vs. 12-VCU
Greensboro
2-Duke vs. 15-LEHIGH
7-Memphis(Conference USA) vs. 10-HARVARD
Portland
3-Wisconsin vs. 14-BELMONT
6-Notre Dame vs. 11-Long Beach State(Big West)

WEST Regional

Greensboro
1-North Carolina(Atlantic Coast) vs. 16-Stony Brook/Mississippi Valley State
8-Iowa State vs. 9-Alabama
Albuquerque
4-Indiana vs. 13-Tennessee/Xavier
5-Unlv vs. 12-Brigham Young
Columbus
2-Michigan State(Big Ten) vs. 15-Texas-Arlington(Southland)
7-Louisville vs. 10-Southern Mississippi
Albuquerque
3-Baylor vs. 14-MONTANA
6-Wichita State vs. 11-Washington(Pacific-12)

EAST Regional

Pittsburgh
1-Syracuse(Big East) vs. 16-UNC ASHEVILLE
8-Virginia vs. 9-Purdue
Nashville
4-MURRAY STATE vs. 13-Colorado State/Texas
5-Temple(Atlantic 10) vs. 12-South Florida
Omaha
2-Missouri vs. 15-DETROIT
7-San Diego State(Mountain West) vs. 10-California
Pittsburgh
3-Michigan vs. 14-DAVIDSON
6-Florida vs. 11-West Virginia

MIDWEST Regional

Omaha
1-Kansas(Big 12) vs. 16-LONG ISLAND
8-New Mexico vs. 9-Cincinnati
Nashville
4-Florida State vs. 13-SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
5-Vanderbilt vs. 12-Northwestern
Louisville
2-Ohio State vs. 15-Akron(Mid-American)
7-CREIGHTON vs. 10-Connecticut
Columbus
3-Marquette vs. 14-LOYOLA(MD)
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-Mississippi State

Line adjustments: None today

Last four in the field(by seed list number): Colorado State(48), Texas(50), Tennessee(51), Xavier(52)
First four left out: Drexel(53), Oregon(54), Seton Hall(55), North Carolina State(56)
Next four left out: Iona(57), Miami(FL)(59), Arizona(60), Central Florida(62)
Also under consideration: Oral Roberts, Dayton, St. Joseph's, Middle Tennessee, Marshall

Four sites in play for 2013 East Regional

The NCAA is ready to name a host site for the 2013 East Regional, and it will be held in New York. City, State, or Metropolitan Area, now that's the challenge. As reported by the Newark Star-Ledger, Madison Square Garden is in the mix, as are the Prudential Center in Newark and the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. The fourth entrant is the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and if Greg Shaheen's words are to be taken as the gospel, it could very well be the favorite.

Also taken from the article, the NCAA was preparing to name the site last June, but at the last moment held it back. Now whether or not it was related to the on-going renovation of MSG, or the logistics of moving the NIT somewhere else, that is unkown. The naming of the site is expected soon, perhaps as late as the Final Four.

Bracket Watch '12 - Wednesday Update

Sorry for the lack of commentary today, I'm a little bit busy.

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

First Four Pairings
Tuesday: Mississippi Valley State(Southwestern) vs. WESTERN KENTUCKY; Texas vs. South Florida
Wednesday: Stony Brook(America East) vs. Savannah State(Mid-Eastern); Tennessee vs. Xavier

SOUTH Regional

Louisville
1-Kentucky(Southeastern) vs. 16-Mississippi Valley State/WESTERN KENTUCKY
8-Iowa State vs. 9-Saint Louis
Portland
4-MURRAY STATE vs. 13-Nevada(Western Athletic)
5-SAINT MARY'S vs. 12-Northwestern^
Greensboro
2-Duke vs. 15-Montana(Big Sky)
7-Louisville vs. 10-Southern Mississippi
Louisville
3-Michigan vs. 14-BELMONT
6-Temple(Atlantic 10) vs. 11-Connecticut^

WEST Regional

Greensboro
1-North Carolina(Atlantic Coast) vs. 16-Stony Brook/Savannah State
8-Kansas State vs. 9-Alabama
Portland
4-Indiana vs. 13-Colorado State^
5-Georgetown vs. 12-Brigham Young^
Omaha
2-Missouri vs. 15-Texas-Arlington(Southland)
7-San Diego State(Mountain West) vs. 10-Cincinnati
Nashville
3-Wisconsin vs. 14-DAVIDSON
6-Florida vs. 11-Washington(Pacific-12)^

EAST Regional

Pittsburgh
1-Syracuse(Big East) vs. 16-UNC ASHEVILLE
8-Virginia vs. 9-HARVARD
Albuquerque
4-Vanderbilt vs. 13-SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
5-Unlv vs. 12-Texas/South Florida
Columbus
2-Michigan State(Big Ten) vs. 15-Bucknell(Patriot)
7-CREIGHTON vs. 10-West Virginia
Albuquerque
3-Baylor vs. 14-Akron(Mid-American)
6-Notre Dame vs. 11-Long Beach State(Big West)

MIDWEST Regional

Omaha
1-Kansas(Big 12) vs. 16-Long Island(Northeast)
8-New Mexico vs. 9-Purdue
Nashville
4-Florida State vs. 13-Tennessee/Xavier
5-Wichita State vs. 12-VCU
Pittsburgh
2-Ohio State vs. 15-DETROIT
7-Memphis(Conference USA) vs. 10-California^
Columbus
3-Marquette vs. 14-LOYOLA(MD)
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-Mississippi State^

Line adjustments(for conference and hosting conflicts):
Harvard(Up 1 seed line)
Cincinnati(Down 1 seed line)

Last four in the field(by seed list number): Texas(48), South Florida(49), Tennessee(51), Xavier(52)
First four left out: Drexel(53), Seton Hall(54), Oregon(55), North Carolina State(56)
Next four left out: Arizona(57), Iona(58), Miami(FL)(59), Oral Roberts(62)
Also under consideration: St. Joseph's, Central Florida, Dayton, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi, La Salle

Bid Ranges for teams not already qualified playing tonight:
Robert Morris: First Four
Lehigh: 15-16
Weber State: 15

Bracket Watch '12 - Tuesday Update

Monday Night was the most exciting night of this championship week thus far, as the four bids were decided by either three points or in overtime. We also saw Oral Roberts fall by a point and thus out of the field entirely, and we also witnessed Western Kentucky continue to pull a Rally Squirrel by beating back Denver. What does this all mean? Read on:

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

First Four Pairings
Tuesday: Stony Brook(America East) vs. Mississippi Valley State(Southwestern); Texas vs. South Florida
Wednesday: Savannah State(Mid-Eastern) vs. North Texas(Sun Belt); Tennessee vs. Xavier

SOUTH Regional

Louisville
1-Kentucky(Southeastern) vs. 16-Stony Brook/Mississippi Valley State
8-Iowa State vs. 9-Saint Louis
Portland
4-MURRAY STATE vs. 13-Nevada(Western Athletic)
5-SAINT MARY'S vs. 12-Northwestern^
Greensboro
2-Duke vs. 15-Montana(Big Sky)
7-Louisville vs. 10-Southern Mississippi
Louisville
3-Michigan vs. 14-BELMONT
6-Temple(Atlantic 10) vs. 11-Connecticut^

WEST Regional

Greensboro
1-North Carolina(Atlantic Coast) vs. 16-Savannah State/North Texas
8-Kansas State vs. 9-Alabama
Portland
4-Indiana vs. 13-Colorado State^
5-Georgetown vs. 12-Brigham Young^
Omaha
2-Missouri vs. 15-Texas-Arlington(Southland)
7-San Diego State(Mountain West) vs. 10-Cincinnati
Nashville
3-Wisconsin vs. 14-DAVIDSON
6-Florida vs. 11-Washington(Pacific-12)^

EAST Regional

Pittsburgh
1-Syracuse(Big East) vs. 16-UNC ASHEVILLE
8-Virginia vs. 9-Harvard(Ivy)
Albuquerque
4-Vanderbilt vs. 13-South Dakota State(Summit)
5-Unlv vs. 12-Texas/South Florida
Columbus
2-Michigan State(Big Ten) vs. 15-Valparaiso(Horizon)
7-CREIGHTON vs. 10-West Virginia
Albuquerque
3-Baylor vs. 14-Akron(Mid-American)
6-Notre Dame vs. 11-Long Beach State(Big West)

MIDWEST Regional

Omaha
1-Kansas(Big 12) vs. 16-Long Island(Northeast)
8-New Mexico vs. 9-Purdue
Nashville
4-Florida State vs. 13-Tennessee/Xavier
5-Wichita State vs. 12-VCU
Pittsburgh
2-Ohio State vs. 15-Bucknell(Patriot)
7-Memphis(Conference USA) vs. 10-California^
Columbus
3-Marquette vs. 14-LOYOLA(MD)
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-Mississippi State^

Line adjustments(for conference and hosting conflicts):
Harvard(Up 1 seed line)
Cincinnati(Down 1 seed line)

Last four in the field(by seed list number): Texas(48), South Florida(49), Tennessee(51), Xavier(52)
First four left out: Drexel(53), Seton Hall(54), Oregon(55), North Carolina State(56)
Next four left out: Arizona(57), Iona(58), Miami(FL)(59), Oral Roberts(62)
Also under consideration: St. Joseph's, Central Florida, Dayton, Middle Tennessee

Bracket Watch '12 - The Stretch Run

Well, it's six days until Selection Sunday, and that means Bracket Watch goes into daily projection mode, with updates every day(except possibly Saturday, but except for those who have followed the blog over the years, you know that I'll try to post some sort of update that day). And here is the first bracket of the week:

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

First Four Pairings
Tuesday: Stony Brook(America East) vs. Mississippi Valley State(Southwestern); Texas vs. South Florida
Wednesday: Long Island(Northeast) vs. Savannah State(Mid-Eastern); Tennessee vs. Xavier

SOUTH Regional

Louisville
1-Kentucky(Southeastern) vs. 16-Stony Brook/Mississippi Valley State
8-Iowa State vs. 9-Saint Louis
Portland
4-MURRAY STATE vs. 13-Nevada(Western Athletic)
5-St. Mary's vs. 12-Northwestern^
Greensboro
2-Duke vs. 15-Montana(Big Sky)
7-Louisville vs. 10-Southern Mississippi
Louisville
3-Michigan vs. 14-BELMONT
6-CREIGHTON vs. 11-Drexel(Colonial)^

WEST Regional

Greensboro
1-North Carolina(Atlantic Coast) vs. 16-Long Island/Savannah State
8-Kansas State vs. 9-Alabama
Portland
4-Indiana vs. 13-Colorado State^
5-Georgetown vs. 12-Brigham Young^
Omaha
2-Missouri vs. 15-Denver(Sun Belt)
7-San Diego State(Mountain West) vs. 10-Cincinnati
Nashville
3-Wisconsin vs. 14-Davidson(Southern)
6-Florida vs. 11-Washington(Pacific-12)^

EAST Regional

Pittsburgh
1-Syracuse(Big East) vs. 16-UNC ASHEVILLE
8-Virginia vs. 9-Harvard(Ivy)
Albuquerque
4-Vanderbilt vs. 13-Texas/South Florida
5-Unlv vs. 12-Oral Roberts(Summit)^
Columbus
2-Michigan State(Big Ten) vs. 15-Valparaiso(Horizon)
7-Memphis(Conference USA) vs. 10-West Virginia
Albuquerque
3-Baylor vs. 14-Akron(Mid-American)
6-Notre Dame vs. 11-Long Beach State(Big West)

MIDWEST Regional

Omaha
1-Kansas(Big 12) vs. 16-Texas-Arlington(Southland)
8-New Mexico vs. 9-Purdue
Nashville
4-Florida State vs. 13-Tennessee/Xavier
5-Wichita State vs. 12-Connecticut^
Pittsburgh
2-Ohio State vs. 15-Bucknell(Patriot)
7-Temple(Atlantic 10) vs. 10-California^
Columbus
3-Marquette vs. 14-Loyola(MD)(Metro Atlantic)
6-Gonzaga vs. 11-Mississippi State^

Line adjustments(for conference and hosting conflicts):
Drexel(Up 1 seed line)
Harvard(Up 1 seed line)
Cincinnati(Down 1 seed line)
Connecticut(Down 1 seed line)

Last four in the field(by seed list number): Texas(50), South Florida(51), Tennessee(52), Xavier(53)
First four left out: VCU(54), Seton Hall(55), Oregon(56), North Carolina State(57)
Next four left out: Arizona(58), South Dakota State(59), Iona(60), Miami(FL)(61)
Also under consideration: St. Joseph's, Central Florida, Dayton, Middle Tennessee

Potential seed ranges for teams not yet qualified:
Fairfield: 15-16
Western Carolina: 16