Bracket Watch for March 15th

Final Four Pairings
South vs. Midwest
East vs. West

SOUTH Region

North Little Rock
(1)Memphis(CUSA) vs. (16)Opening Round winner
Opening Round: Mississippi Valley State(SWAC) vs. Northwestern State(Southland)
(8)Clemson vs. (9)St. Mary's
Denver
(4)Washington State vs. (13)GEORGE MASON
(5)Marquette vs. (12)Kansas State(True 11 seed)*
North Little Rock
(2)Texas(Big 12) vs. (15)WINTHROP
(7)Mississippi State vs. (10)South Alabama
Washington D.C.
(3)Louisville vs. (14)AUSTIN PEAY
(6)Indiana vs. (11)Illinois State(True 12 Seed)*

MIDWEST Region

Birmingham
(1)Tennessee(SEC) vs. (16)Maryland-Baltimore County(America East)
(8)DAVIDSON vs (9)Miami(FL)
Denver
(4)DRAKE vs. (13)New Mexico State(WAC)
(5)Pittsburgh vs. (12)Arizona*
Raleigh
(2)Duke vs. (15)BELMONT
(7)Gonzaga vs. (10)St. Joseph's
Omaha
(3)Wisconsin vs. (14)Fullerton State(Big West)
(6)Oklahoma vs. (11)WESTERN KENTUCKY

EAST Region

Raleigh
(1)North Carolina(ACC) vs. (16)MOUNT ST. MARY'S
(8)Purdue vs. (9)West Virginia
Tampa
(4)Xavier vs. (13)SIENA
(5)BUTLER vs. (12)Oregon*
Birmingham
(2)Georgetown(Big East) vs. (15)AMERICAN
(7)Texas A&M vs. (10)Nevada-Las Vegas
Anaheim
(3)Stanford vs. (14)PORTLAND STATE
(6)Vanderbilt vs. (11)Virginia Commonwealth(True 12 seed)*

WEST Region

Anaheim
(1)Ucla(Pac-10) vs. (16)Morgan State(MEAC)
(8)Kent State(MAC) vs. (9)Kentucky
Washington D.C.
(4)Connecticut vs. (13)CORNELL
(5)Brigham Young(Mountain West) vs. (12)Baylor(True 12 seed)*
Omaha
(2)Kansas vs. (15)SAN DIEGO
(7)Southern California vs. (10)Arkansas
Tampa
(3)Michigan State vs. (14)ORAL ROBERTS
(6)Notre Dame vs. (11)Temple(Atlantic 10)

New to the field: St. Joseph's, Oregon, Northwestern State, Mississippi Valley State, New Mexico State
Out of the field: Villanova, Ohio State, Stephen F. Austin, Alabama State, Utah State

Last four in the field: Illinois State, Arizona, Virginia Commonwealth, Oregon
First four left out: Villanova, Dayton, Ohio State, Massachusetts
Next four left out: Syracuse, Arizona State, Mississippi, Virginia Tech
Next four out after that: Minnesota, Akron, Florida, New Mexico

Tomorrow: I will post an early edition around 11 AM CT, with the final bracket to come after the Big Ten championship.

Bracket Watch for March 14th

Anyone want an invite to the Big Dance? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? OK enough with the Ben Stein impersonations, this is indeed a serious question. The bubble is so weak, you want to root for Utah, Charlotte, Western Michigan, Florida State to win conference tourneys and wipeout the weaklings. Anywho, here is my latest projections:

Final Four Pairings
South vs. Midwest
East vs. West

SOUTH Region

North Little Rock
(1)Memphis(CUSA) vs. (16)Opening Round winner
Opening Round: MOUNT ST. MARY'S vs. Alabama State
(8)Oklahoma vs. (9)South Alabama
Tampa
(4)Connecticut vs. (13)CORNELL
(5)Mississippi State vs. (12)Arizona*
Raleigh
(2)Duke vs. (15)BELMONT
(7)Gonzaga vs. (10)Arkansas*
Anaheim
(3)Stanford vs. (14)PORTLAND STATE
(6)Marquette vs. (11)Baylor*

MIDWEST Region

Birmingham
(1)Tennessee(SEC) vs. (16)Maryland-Baltimore County(America East)
(8)DAVIDSON vs. (9)Kansas State
Denver
(4)Washington State vs. (13)Stephen F. Austin
(5)Notre Dame vs. (12)Temple*
Omaha
(2)Kansas vs. (15)SAN DIEGO
(7)Southern California vs. (10)Miami(FL)*
(3)Wisconsin(Big Ten) vs. (14)Utah State(WAC)
(6)Pittsburgh vs. (11)Nevada-Las Vegas

EAST Region

Raleigh
(1)North Carolina(ACC) vs. (16)American(Patriot)
(8)Kent State(MAC) vs. (9)Kentucky
Tampa
(4)Purdue vs. (13)GEORGE MASON
(5)BUTLER vs. (12)Villanova*
Birmingham
(2)Georgetown(Big East) vs. (15)WINTHROP
(7)Michigan State vs. (10)Texas A&M*
Washington D.C.
(3)Xavier(A-10) vs. (14)ORAL ROBERTS
(6)Vanderbilt vs. (11)Illinois State*

WEST Region

Anaheim
(1)Ucla(Pac-10) vs. (16)Morgan State(MEAC)
(8)West Virginia vs. (9)St. Mary's
Denver
(4)DRAKE vs. (13)SIENA
(5)Indiana vs. (12)Virginia Commonwealth
North Little Rock
(2)Texas(Big 12) vs. (15)UC Santa Barbara(Big West)
(7)Clemson vs. (10)Ohio State*
Washington D.C.
(3)Louisville vs. (14)AUSTIN PEAY
(6)Brigham Young(Mountain West) vs. (11)WESTERN KENTUCKY

New to the field: Temple, Villanova, Virginia Commonwealth
Out of the field: Massachusetts, Arizona State, Oregon

Last four in the field: Villanova, Arizona, Virginia Commonwealth, Temple
First four left out: Oregon, Massachusetts, Arizona State, St. Joseph's
Next four left out: Dayton, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Western Michigan
Next four out after that: Southern Illinois, Nebraska, Syracuse, Charlotte

Bracket Watch for March 13th

Final Four Pairings
South vs. Midwest
East vs. West

SOUTH Region

North Little Rock
(1)Memphis(CUSA) vs. (16)Opening Round winner
Opening Round: MOUNT ST. MARY'S vs. Alabama State(SWAC)
(8)Kent State(Mid-American) vs. (9)Kentucky
Denver
(4)Purdue vs. (13)UC Santa Barbara(Big West)
(5)Washington State vs. (12)Illinois State*
Raleigh
(2)Duke vs. (15)AUSTIN PEAY
(7)Oklahoma vs. (10)Arkansas*
Tampa
(3)Louisville vs. (14)ORAL ROBERTS
(6)Gonzaga vs. (11)WESTERN KENTUCKY

MIDWEST Region

Birmingham
(1)Tennessee(SEC) vs. (16)Morgan State(MEAC)
(8)DAVIDSON vs. (9)Kansas State
Tampa
(4)Connecticut vs. (13)GEORGE MASON
(5)BUTLER vs. (12)Oregon*
Omaha
(2)Kansas vs. (15)PORTLAND STATE
(7)Marquette vs. (10)Nevada-Las Vegas*
Washington D.C.
(3)Xavier(Atlantic 10) vs. (14)CORNELL
(6)Michigan State vs. (11)Arizona

EAST Region

Raleigh
(1)North Carolina(ACC) vs. (16)American(Patriot)
(8)West Virginia vs. (9)Baylor
Anaheim
(4)Stanford vs. (13)SAN DIEGO
(5)Vanderbilt vs. (12)Ohio State*
Birmingham
(2)Georgetown(Big East) vs. (15)WINTHROP
(7)Clemson vs. (10)South Alabama
Omaha
(3)Wisconsin(Big Ten) vs. (14)Stephen F. Austin(Southland)
(6)Brigham Young(Mountain West) vs. (11)Texas A&M*

WEST Region

Anaheim
(1)Ucla(Pac-10) vs. (16)BELMONT
(8)Pittsburgh vs. (9)St. Mary's
Denver
(4)DRAKE vs. (13)Utah State(WAC)
(5)Indiana vs. (12)Massachusetts*
North Little Rock
(2)Texas(Big 12) vs. (15)Maryland-Baltimore County(America East)
(7)Southern California vs. (10)Miami(FL)
Washington D.C.
(3)Notre Dame vs. (14)SIENA
(6)Mississippi State vs. (11)New Mexico*

New to the field: Ohio State, Mount St. Mary's
Out of the field: Syracuse, Sacred Heart

Last four in the field: Arizona, Illinois State, Ohio State, Oregon
First four left out: Arizona State, Villanova, Virginia Commonwealth, Dayton
Next four left out: Syracuse, UAB, Florida, Mississippi
Next four out after that: Temple, St. Joseph's, Nebraska, California

Next projection: tomorrow(DUH!!)

Bracket Watch for March 12th

Again, this is a mere update, the next full projection will take place tomorrow.

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

SOUTH Region

North Little Rock
(1)Memphis vs. (16)Opening Round winner
Opening Round: Sacred Heart(Northeast) vs. Alabama State(SWAC)
(8)Kent State(Mid-American) vs. (9)St. Mary's
Denver
(4)Purdue vs. (13)Utah State(WAC)
(5)Marquette vs. (12)Illinois State*
Raleigh
(2)Duke vs. (15)BELMONT
(7)Michigan State vs. (10)Kansas State*
Tampa
(3)Louisville vs. (14)WINTHROP
(6)Southern California vs. (11)Arkansas*

MIDWEST Region

Birmingham
(1)Tennessee(SEC) vs. (16)Morgan State(MEAC)
(8)DAVIDSON vs. (9)Miami(FL)
Anaheim
(4)Stanford vs. (13)SAN DIEGO
(5)Notre Dame vs. (12)WESTERN KENTUCKY
Omaha
(2)Kansas vs. (15)UC Santa Barbara(Big West)
(7)Pittsburgh vs. (10)Nevada-Las Vegas*
Washington D.C.
(3)Xavier(Atlantic 10) vs. (14)Stephen F. Austin(Southland)
(6)Indiana vs. (11)Texas A&M*

EAST Region

Raleigh
(1)North Carolina(ACC) vs. (16)American(Patriot)
(8)West Virginia vs. (9)South Alabama
Tampa
(4)Vanderbilt vs. (13)CORNELL
(5)BUTLER vs. (12)Oregon*
Birmingham
(2)Georgetown(Big East) vs. (15)AUSTIN PEAY
(7)Oklahoma vs. (10)New Mexico*
Omaha
(3)Wisconsin(Big Ten) vs. (14)GEORGE MASON
(6)Washington State vs. (11)Kentucky*

WEST Region

Anaheim
(1)Ucla(Pac-10) vs. (16)Portland State(Big Sky)
(8)Gonzaga vs. (9)Baylor
Denver
(4)DRAKE vs. (13)ORAL ROBERTS
(5)Brigham Young(Mountain West vs. (12)Syracuse*
North Little Rock
(2)Texas(Big 12) vs. (15)Maryland-Baltimore County (America East)
(7)Clemson vs. (10)Massachusetts*
Washington D.C.
(3)Connecticut vs. (14)Siena(Metro Atlantic)
(6)Mississippi State vs. (11)Arizona

New to the field: no one
Out of the field: no one

Last four in the field: Illinois State, Arizona, Syracuse, Oregon
First four left out: Arizona State, Ohio State, Virginia Commonwealth, Virginia Tech
Next four left out: Florida, Dayton, UAB, Villanova
Next four out after that: Maryland, St. Joseph's, Mississippi, Temple
Also in contention: Florida State, Nebraska, Houston, Southern Illinois

Bracket Watch for March 11th

As I said yesterday, this is a mere update of Monday's bracket, but with a few changes.

UPDATE as of 4 PM CDT:(Had Oregon in the field twice instead of SAN DIEGO)

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

SOUTH Region

North Little Rock
(1)Memphis vs. (16)Opening Round winner
Opening Round: Sacred Heart(Northeast) vs. Alabama State(SWAC)
(8)Kent State(Mid-American) vs. (9)St. Mary's
Denver
(4)Purdue vs. (13)Utah State(WAC)
(5)Marquette vs. (12)Illinois State*
Raleigh
(2)Duke vs. (15)BELMONT
(7)Michigan State vs. (10)Kansas State*
Tampa
(3)Louisville vs. (14)WINTHROP
(6)Southern California vs. (11)Arkansas*

MIDWEST Region

Birmingham
(1)Tennessee(SEC) vs. (16)Morgan State(MEAC)
(8)DAVIDSON vs. (9)Miami(FL)
Anaheim
(4)Stanford vs. (13)SAN DIEGO
(5)Notre Dame vs. (12)Western Kentucky(Sun Belt)*
Omaha
(2)Kansas vs. (15)UC Santa Barbara(Big West)
(7)Pittsburgh vs. (10)Nevada-Las Vegas*
Washington D.C.
(3)Xavier(Atlantic 10) vs. (14)Stephen F. Austin(Southland)
(6)Indiana vs. (11)Texas A&M*

EAST Region
Raleigh
(1)North Carolina(ACC) vs. (16)American(Patriot)
(8)West Virginia vs. (9)South Alabama
Tampa
(4)Vanderbilt vs. (13)CORNELL
(5)Butler(Horizon) vs. (12)Oregon*
Birmingham
(2)Georgetown(Big East) vs. (15)AUSTIN PEAY
(7)Oklahoma vs. (10)New Mexico*
Omaha
(3)Wisconsin(Big Ten) vs. (14)GEORGE MASON
(6)Washington State vs. (11)Kentucky*

WEST Region
Anaheim
(1)Ucla(Pac-10) vs. (16)Portland State(Big Sky)
(8)Gonzaga vs. (9)Baylor
Denver
(4)DRAKE vs. (13)Oral Roberts(Summit)
(5)Brigham Young(Mountain West vs. (12)Syracuse*
North Little Rock
(2)Texas(Big 12) vs. (15)Maryland-Baltimore County (America East)
(7)Clemson vs. (10)Massachusetts*
Washington D.C.
(3)Connecticut vs. (14)Siena(Metro Atlantic)
(6)Mississippi State vs. (11)Arizona

New to the field: San Diego
Out of the field: Arizona State

Last four in the field: Illinois State, Arizona, Syracuse, Oregon
First four left out: Arizona State, Ohio State, Virginia Commonwealth, Virginia Tech
Next four left out: Florida, Dayton, UAB, Villanova,
Next four out after that: Maryland, St. Joseph's, Mississippi, Temple
Also in contention: Florida State, Nebraska, Houston, Southern Illinois

Bracket Watch for March 10th

Time to get serious, and that means daily projections of the field all the way through Sunday. The next 2 days will mean mere updates. The next full scale projection will be on Thursday.

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

SOUTH Region

North Little Rock
(1)Memphis vs. (16)Opening Round winner
Opening Round: Sacred Heart(Northeast) vs. Alabama State(SWAC)
(8)Kent State(Mid-American) vs. (9)Baylor
Denver
(4)Purdue vs. (13)Oregon*
(5)Marquette vs. (12)Illinois State*
Raleigh
(2)Duke vs. (15)BELMONT
(7)Southern California vs. (10)Kansas State*
Tampa
(3)Louisville vs. (14)WINTHROP
(6)Gonzaga(West Coast) vs. (11)Arkansas*

MIDWEST Region

Birmingham
(1)Tennessee(SEC) vs. (16)Morgan State(MEAC)
(8)Miami(FL) vs. (9)Davidson(Southern)
Anaheim
(4)Stanford vs. (13)Utah State(WAC)
(5)Notre Dame vs. (12)Western Kentucky*
Omaha
(2)Kansas vs. (15)UC Santa Barbara(Big West)
(7)Pittsburgh vs. (10)Nevada-Las Vegas*
Washington D.C.
(3)Xavier(Atlantic 10) vs. (14)Stephen F. Austin(Southland)
(6)Indiana vs. (11)Texas A&M*

EAST Region

Raleigh
(1)North Carolina(ACC) vs. (16)American(Patriot)
(8)South Alabama(Sun Belt) vs. (9)West Virginia
Tampa
(4)Vanderbilt vs. (13)CORNELL
(5)Butler(Horizon) vs. (12)Arizona State*
Birmingham
(2)Georgetown(Big East) vs. (15)AUSTIN PEAY
(7)Oklahoma vs. (10)New Mexico*
Omaha
(3)Wisconsin(Big Ten) vs. (14)George Mason(Colonial)
(6)Washington State vs. (11)Kentucky*

WEST Region

Anaheim
(1)Ucla(Pac-10) vs. (16)Portland State(Big Sky)
(8)Michigan State vs. (9)St. Mary's
Denver
(4)DRAKE vs. (13)Oral Roberts(Summit)
(5)Brigham Young(Mountain West vs. (12)Syracuse*
North Little Rock
(2)Texas(Big 12) vs. (15)Maryland-Baltimore County(America East)
(7)Clemson vs. (10)Massachusetts*
Washington D.C.
(3)Connecticut vs. (14)Siena(Metro Atlantic)
(6)Mississippi State vs. (11)Arizona

New to the field: Syracuse, Winthrop, UC Santa Barbara, George Mason, Sacred Heart, Oregon, Stephen F. Austin, Utah State
Out of the field: Virginia Tech, UNC Asheville, Northridge State, Virginia Commonwealth, Robert Morris, Lamar, Boise State

Last four in the field: Syracuse, Western Kentucky, Arizona State, Oregon
First four left out: Ohio State, Virginia Commonwealth, Virginia Tech, Dayton
Next four left out: Florida, UAB, Villanova, Maryland
Next four out after that: St. Joseph's, Mississippi, Houston, San Diego
Also in contention: Florida State, Nebraska, Southern Illinois