I may be labeled as a Big East hater this week. I certainly won't be on Mike Tranghese's top-five list. As of games Sunday, I've got Villanova, Syracuse and Providence as my first three teams out of the bracket.
It basically came down to these three Big East teams, along with NC State and Arkansas. The thinking here came down to wins. NC State has three Big East wins (including Villanova), while Arkansas has defeated Baylor, Va. Commonwealth, Oral Roberts and Missouri. Interestingly, Providence did beat Arkansas straight up. I trust these two teams will remain firmly on the bubble as the season goes on and they may flip-flop from week to week.
Three number one seeds remain: Memphis, Kansas and North Carolina. They are joined by Duke, which replaces Tennessee, after their big road win over Maryland. The two and three lines seem to be joining together and I'd expect a ton of movement here over the next month.
The twos: Georgetown, Michigan State, Tennessee, UCLA
The threes: Indiana, Xavier, Washington State, Texas
Xavier may be the most intriguing of the three seeds, but I couldn't find a team on the four or five line that included this bunch -- Vanderbilt, Butler, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Marquette, Stanford, Clemson and Texas A&M -- that had a better profile than the Musketeers. X moves from the five line after impressive wins over Dayton and at UMass.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Jan. 28 Bracket
Charlotte Region
1 Duke (ACC) v. 16 Lafayette (Patriot)
8 Gonzaga v. 9 Ohio State
Pod site: Raleigh
5 Marquette v. 12 Oregon
4 Vanderbilt v. 13 Va. Commonwealth (Colonial)
Pod site: Birmingham
3 Indiana v. 14 Davidson (Southern)
6 St. Mary’s (West Coast) v. 11 Arizona State
Pod site: Tampa
7 Oklahoma v. 10 Massachusetts
2 Georgetown (Big East) v. 15 UNC-Asheville (Big South)
Pod site: Tampa
Phoenix Region
1 North Carolina v. 16 MD Balt.-County (Am. East)
8 Southern California v. 9 Baylor
Pod site: Raleigh
5 Clemson v. 12 Arkansas
4 Butler (Horizon) v. 13 Oral Roberts (Summit)
Pod site: Anaheim
3 Xavier (Atlantic 10) v. 14 Marist (Metro Atlantic)
6 Arizona v. 11 South Alabama (Sun Belt)
Pod site: Omaha
7 Louisville v. 10 Florida
2 Michigan State (Big 10) v. 15 Cornell (Ivy)
Pod site: Washington, DC
Detroit Region
1 Kansas (Big 12) v. 16 Wagner (Northeast)
8 West Virginia v. 9 Mississippi State (SEC)
Pod site: Omaha
5 Stanford v. 12 UNLV (Mountain West)
4 Wisconsin v. 13 CS-Northridge (Big West)
Pod site: Denver
3 Washington State v. 14 Utah State (WAC)
6 Kansas State v. 11 North Carolina State
Pod site: Denver
7 Dayton v. 10 Notre Dame
2 Tennessee v. 15 Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
Pod site: Birmingham
Houston Region
1 Memphis (Conf. USA) v. 16 Jacksonville (A-Sun)/Alabama State (SWAC)
8 Rhode Island v. 9 Purdue
Pod site: Little Rock
5 Texas A&M v. 12 Kent State (Mid-American)
4 Pittsburgh v. 13 Sam Houston (Southland)
Pod site: Washington, DC
3 Texas v. 14 Hampton (MEAC)
6 Drake (Missouri Valley) v. 11 Miami (FL)
Pod site: Little Rock
7 Mississippi v. 10 Connecticut
2 UCLA (Pacific 10) v. 15 Northern Arizona (Big Sky)
Pod site: Anaheim
Last four in: Oregon, Arizona State, NC State, Arkansas
First four out: Villanova, Syracuse, Providence, St. Joseph’s
Next four out: Illinois State, Boston College, Maryland, San Diego State
Still on the board: Charlotte, Creighton, George Mason, Minnesota, California, Cleveland State, Va. Tech, BYU, Washington, Duquense
1 Duke (ACC) v. 16 Lafayette (Patriot)
8 Gonzaga v. 9 Ohio State
Pod site: Raleigh
5 Marquette v. 12 Oregon
4 Vanderbilt v. 13 Va. Commonwealth (Colonial)
Pod site: Birmingham
3 Indiana v. 14 Davidson (Southern)
6 St. Mary’s (West Coast) v. 11 Arizona State
Pod site: Tampa
7 Oklahoma v. 10 Massachusetts
2 Georgetown (Big East) v. 15 UNC-Asheville (Big South)
Pod site: Tampa
Phoenix Region
1 North Carolina v. 16 MD Balt.-County (Am. East)
8 Southern California v. 9 Baylor
Pod site: Raleigh
5 Clemson v. 12 Arkansas
4 Butler (Horizon) v. 13 Oral Roberts (Summit)
Pod site: Anaheim
3 Xavier (Atlantic 10) v. 14 Marist (Metro Atlantic)
6 Arizona v. 11 South Alabama (Sun Belt)
Pod site: Omaha
7 Louisville v. 10 Florida
2 Michigan State (Big 10) v. 15 Cornell (Ivy)
Pod site: Washington, DC
Detroit Region
1 Kansas (Big 12) v. 16 Wagner (Northeast)
8 West Virginia v. 9 Mississippi State (SEC)
Pod site: Omaha
5 Stanford v. 12 UNLV (Mountain West)
4 Wisconsin v. 13 CS-Northridge (Big West)
Pod site: Denver
3 Washington State v. 14 Utah State (WAC)
6 Kansas State v. 11 North Carolina State
Pod site: Denver
7 Dayton v. 10 Notre Dame
2 Tennessee v. 15 Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
Pod site: Birmingham
Houston Region
1 Memphis (Conf. USA) v. 16 Jacksonville (A-Sun)/Alabama State (SWAC)
8 Rhode Island v. 9 Purdue
Pod site: Little Rock
5 Texas A&M v. 12 Kent State (Mid-American)
4 Pittsburgh v. 13 Sam Houston (Southland)
Pod site: Washington, DC
3 Texas v. 14 Hampton (MEAC)
6 Drake (Missouri Valley) v. 11 Miami (FL)
Pod site: Little Rock
7 Mississippi v. 10 Connecticut
2 UCLA (Pacific 10) v. 15 Northern Arizona (Big Sky)
Pod site: Anaheim
Last four in: Oregon, Arizona State, NC State, Arkansas
First four out: Villanova, Syracuse, Providence, St. Joseph’s
Next four out: Illinois State, Boston College, Maryland, San Diego State
Still on the board: Charlotte, Creighton, George Mason, Minnesota, California, Cleveland State, Va. Tech, BYU, Washington, Duquense
Friday, January 25, 2008
Weekend Setup
The Bubble Machine:
Below is a list of my final 13 teams on my board right now. They are in order: UMass, Oklahoma, Purdue, Miami (FL), UConn (all in), Providence, Arkansas, NC State, Boston College, Syracuse, St. Joseph's, Illinois State, Creighton.
As for the cases here: UMass and Oklahoma (despite odd league records) have wonderful wins on their resumes. For UMass, they have six top-100 wins but have lost twice to St. Joe's. Those two St. Joe wins, though, are the Hawks only top-100 wins. The Sooners have Arkansas, West Virginia, Gonzaga and Texas Tech. However, they teeter on the edge and a loss at Baylor on Saturday would probably move them off the board as they would be 1-3 in the Big 12.
Purdue's league record gets them in at this point. Remember the committee really looks at conference record. This should sort itself out, because their RPI of 76 and SOS of 149 are legit. Their only true good resume win outside of the league is a banged up Louisville team. They lost to Wofford and Iowa State.
Miami and UConn get in as the lesser of evils. The Huskies just edge out Providence, because of a few more good wins and the Friars home loss to Seton Hall on Thursday. A win for the Friars would have probably turned the table. The Hurricanes have some very good wins (Marist, VCU, Providence, Mississippi State and Georgia Tech) that make up for the head-to-head loss to NC State. Syndey Lowe's bunch is watching right now because of losses to New Orleans and South Carolina.
The Watch
Connecticut @ Indiana: A resume builder for the Huskies and a possible step towards the second line for Kelvin Sampson's red-hot Hoosiers.
Washington St. @ Arizona St.: An interesting Pac-10 showdown. Both teams in bounce back mode after Thursday losses. For the Cougars, a chance to stay on the second line, for Arizona State, a chance for another quality win for a shaky RPI team.
Va. Tech @ Boston College: A must win for Boston College's hopes.
Stanford @ California: The Bears have been a stubborn bunch to Trent Johnson so far, but the Cardinal are slowly beginning to look like a team that may get to play in Anaheim if they keep winning. A road win would help the cause.
Gonzaga @ Memphis: I love that Mark Few will play anybody. This will certainly be a test. No major bracket implications, but the Tigers need a win to keep hold of the an overall number one seed.
Mississippi @ Mississippi State: Who knew basketball's Egg Bowl could be so big. The teams will meet again, but this is a big test for the Bulldogs. Ole Miss has had a slow start to league play, but Andy Kennedy's squad has enough resume builders that it should be safe, for now.
Texas A&M @ Oklahoma State: Mark Turgeon is earning his paycheck. It's possible the Aggies could go from ranked to out in Monday's bracket. The Aggies need to bounce back off of the five overtime loss to Baylor.
USC @ Oregon: After squandering a late lead to UCLA, the Ducks desparately need a win having lost three in a row. The Trojans have won three straight (two on the road) since starting Pac-10 play 0-3.
Dayton @ Richmond: Can the Spiders bounce back on the road after getting pounded by rival Xavier.
Notre Dame @ Villanova: They are all big in the middle of the Big East.
Sunday
Vanderbilt @ Florida: Oh, what Billy Donovan and his RPI in the 50s wouldn't give for a big win against the Commodores. Kevin Stallings bunch could use a decent road win, too.
Duke @ Maryland: The Blue Devils are in line for the top line if they can win at Maryland. The Terps will have everyone wondering how they lost to American if they can pull off consecutive wins against the UNC and Duke.
Xavier @ UMass: If the Muskies have any desire to be a top-four seed, they need quality road wins. Here is there chance.
Below is a list of my final 13 teams on my board right now. They are in order: UMass, Oklahoma, Purdue, Miami (FL), UConn (all in), Providence, Arkansas, NC State, Boston College, Syracuse, St. Joseph's, Illinois State, Creighton.
As for the cases here: UMass and Oklahoma (despite odd league records) have wonderful wins on their resumes. For UMass, they have six top-100 wins but have lost twice to St. Joe's. Those two St. Joe wins, though, are the Hawks only top-100 wins. The Sooners have Arkansas, West Virginia, Gonzaga and Texas Tech. However, they teeter on the edge and a loss at Baylor on Saturday would probably move them off the board as they would be 1-3 in the Big 12.
Purdue's league record gets them in at this point. Remember the committee really looks at conference record. This should sort itself out, because their RPI of 76 and SOS of 149 are legit. Their only true good resume win outside of the league is a banged up Louisville team. They lost to Wofford and Iowa State.
Miami and UConn get in as the lesser of evils. The Huskies just edge out Providence, because of a few more good wins and the Friars home loss to Seton Hall on Thursday. A win for the Friars would have probably turned the table. The Hurricanes have some very good wins (Marist, VCU, Providence, Mississippi State and Georgia Tech) that make up for the head-to-head loss to NC State. Syndey Lowe's bunch is watching right now because of losses to New Orleans and South Carolina.
The Watch
Connecticut @ Indiana: A resume builder for the Huskies and a possible step towards the second line for Kelvin Sampson's red-hot Hoosiers.
Washington St. @ Arizona St.: An interesting Pac-10 showdown. Both teams in bounce back mode after Thursday losses. For the Cougars, a chance to stay on the second line, for Arizona State, a chance for another quality win for a shaky RPI team.
Va. Tech @ Boston College: A must win for Boston College's hopes.
Stanford @ California: The Bears have been a stubborn bunch to Trent Johnson so far, but the Cardinal are slowly beginning to look like a team that may get to play in Anaheim if they keep winning. A road win would help the cause.
Gonzaga @ Memphis: I love that Mark Few will play anybody. This will certainly be a test. No major bracket implications, but the Tigers need a win to keep hold of the an overall number one seed.
Mississippi @ Mississippi State: Who knew basketball's Egg Bowl could be so big. The teams will meet again, but this is a big test for the Bulldogs. Ole Miss has had a slow start to league play, but Andy Kennedy's squad has enough resume builders that it should be safe, for now.
Texas A&M @ Oklahoma State: Mark Turgeon is earning his paycheck. It's possible the Aggies could go from ranked to out in Monday's bracket. The Aggies need to bounce back off of the five overtime loss to Baylor.
USC @ Oregon: After squandering a late lead to UCLA, the Ducks desparately need a win having lost three in a row. The Trojans have won three straight (two on the road) since starting Pac-10 play 0-3.
Dayton @ Richmond: Can the Spiders bounce back on the road after getting pounded by rival Xavier.
Notre Dame @ Villanova: They are all big in the middle of the Big East.
Sunday
Vanderbilt @ Florida: Oh, what Billy Donovan and his RPI in the 50s wouldn't give for a big win against the Commodores. Kevin Stallings bunch could use a decent road win, too.
Duke @ Maryland: The Blue Devils are in line for the top line if they can win at Maryland. The Terps will have everyone wondering how they lost to American if they can pull off consecutive wins against the UNC and Duke.
Xavier @ UMass: If the Muskies have any desire to be a top-four seed, they need quality road wins. Here is there chance.
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Bracket, January 21st
Charlotte Region
1 North Carolina , 16 Maryland Balt.-County (America East)
8 Arizona, 9 Baylor
Pod site: Raleigh
5 Xavier, 12 Mississippi State
13 UNC-Asheville (Big South), 4 Pittsburgh
Pod site: Tampa
3 Vanderbilt, 14 Davidson (Southern)
11 Cleveland State (Horizon), 6 Villanova
Pod site: Birmingham
7 No. Carolina State, 10 South Alabama (Sun Belt)
15 Utah State (WAC), 2 Washington State
Pod site: Anaheim
Phoenix Region
1 Tennessee (SEC), 16 Wagner (Northeast)
8 Providence, 9 Oregon
Pod site: Birmingham
5 Dayton (Atlantic 10), 12 Oral Roberts (Summit)
13 Va. Commonwealth (Colonial), 4 Wisconsin
Pod site: Washington, DC
3 Texas, 14 Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
11 Florida, 6 Clemson
Pod site: Little Rock
7 West Virginia, 10 Illinois State
15 Northern Arizona (Big Sky), 2 UCLA (Pac-10)
Pod site: Anaheim
Detroit Region
1 Kansas (Big 12), 16 Lafayette (Patriot)
8 Gonzaga, 9 Ohio State
Pod site: Omaha
5 Mississippi, 12 Notre Dame
13 CS-Northridge (Big West), 4 Butler
Pod site: Denver
3 Michigan State (Big 10), 14 Hampton (MEAC)
11 Louisville, 6 Arizona State
Pod site: Washington, DC
7 Drake (Mo. Valley), 10 Kansas State
15 Cornell (Ivy), 2 Duke (ACC)
Pod site: Raleigh
Houston Region
1 Memphis (Conf. USA), 16 Jacksonville (A-Sun)/Southern (SWAC)
8 Stanford, 9 Massachusetts
Pod site: Little Rock
1 North Carolina , 16 Maryland Balt.-County (America East)
8 Arizona, 9 Baylor
Pod site: Raleigh
5 Xavier, 12 Mississippi State
13 UNC-Asheville (Big South), 4 Pittsburgh
Pod site: Tampa
3 Vanderbilt, 14 Davidson (Southern)
11 Cleveland State (Horizon), 6 Villanova
Pod site: Birmingham
7 No. Carolina State, 10 South Alabama (Sun Belt)
15 Utah State (WAC), 2 Washington State
Pod site: Anaheim
Phoenix Region
1 Tennessee (SEC), 16 Wagner (Northeast)
8 Providence, 9 Oregon
Pod site: Birmingham
5 Dayton (Atlantic 10), 12 Oral Roberts (Summit)
13 Va. Commonwealth (Colonial), 4 Wisconsin
Pod site: Washington, DC
3 Texas, 14 Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
11 Florida, 6 Clemson
Pod site: Little Rock
7 West Virginia, 10 Illinois State
15 Northern Arizona (Big Sky), 2 UCLA (Pac-10)
Pod site: Anaheim
Detroit Region
1 Kansas (Big 12), 16 Lafayette (Patriot)
8 Gonzaga, 9 Ohio State
Pod site: Omaha
5 Mississippi, 12 Notre Dame
13 CS-Northridge (Big West), 4 Butler
Pod site: Denver
3 Michigan State (Big 10), 14 Hampton (MEAC)
11 Louisville, 6 Arizona State
Pod site: Washington, DC
7 Drake (Mo. Valley), 10 Kansas State
15 Cornell (Ivy), 2 Duke (ACC)
Pod site: Raleigh
Houston Region
1 Memphis (Conf. USA), 16 Jacksonville (A-Sun)/Southern (SWAC)
8 Stanford, 9 Massachusetts
Pod site: Little Rock
5 Marquette, 12 San Diego State (Mt. West)
13 Akron (Mid-American), 4 Texas A&M
Pod site: Denver
3 Indiana, 14 Siena (Metro-Atlantic)
11 USC, 6 St. Mary’s (West Coast)
Pod site: Omaha
7 Rhode Island, 10 Miami (FL)
15 Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), 2 Georgetown (Big East)
Pod site: Tampa
Pod Sites and Dates
East – Raleigh (21, 23), Washington DC (20, 22)
Midwest – Omaha (20, 22), Little Rock (21, 23)
South – Tampa (21, 23), Birmingham (21, 23)
West – Anaheim (20, 22), Denver (20, 22)
Last four in: Louisville, Florida, Notre Dame, Mississippi State
First four out: Creighton, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Syracuse
Next four out: Boston College, Purdue, Maryland, UConn
Still on the board: UNLV, George Mason, Minnesota, St. Joe’s
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