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