65 Bracket Street

Final Bracket

2008-03-16T16:41:00.002-05:00

The Final Bracket will also be posted at www.huskerhoopscentral.com

2008 NCAA Tournament
National Semifinals: April 5
National Finals: April 7
Site: The Alamodome

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

Play-in Game
Mt. St. Mary’s (Northeast) / Coppin State (MEAC)

Charlotte
Regional Semifinal: March 27
Regional Final: March 29
Site: Charlotte Arena

1 North Carolina (ACC) v. 16 Play-in Game
8 Oklahoma v. 9 St. Mary’s
Pod site: Raleigh
5 Vanderbilt v. 12 Temple (Atlantic 10)
13 George Mason (Colonial) v. 4 Pittsburgh (Big East)
Pod site: Tampa

3 Louisville v. 14 Cornell (Ivy League)
11 Illinois State v. 6 Southern California
Pod site: Birmingham

7 Indiana v. 10 South Alabama
15 Winthrop (Big South) v. 2 Georgetown
Pod site: Tampa

Detroit
Regional Semifinal: March 28
Regional Final: March 30
Site: Ford Field
1 Kansas (Big 12) v. 16 Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
8 Miami (FL) v. 9 Gonzaga
Pod site: Omaha

5 Butler (Horizon) v. 12 Siena (Metro Atlantic)
13 Georgia (SEC) v. 4 Connecticut
Pod site: Washington, DC

3 Xavier v. 14 San Diego (West Coast)
11 Arizona v. 6 Purdue
Pod site: Washington, DC

7 Kent State (Mid-American) v. 10 Davidson (Southern)
15 American (Patriot) v. 2 Tennessee
Pod site: Birmingham

Phoenix
Regional Semifinal: March 27
Regional Final: March 29
Site: US Airways Arena
1 UCLA (Pacific 10) v. 16 Miss. Valley State (SWAC)
8 UNLV (Mountain West) v. 9 Texas A&M
Pod site: Anaheim

5 Clemson v. 12 Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)
13 CS-Fullerton (Big West) v. 4 Drake (Missouri Valley)
Pod site: Denver

3 Duke v. 14 Belmont (Atlantic Sun)
11 Arizona State v. 6 Notre Dame
Pod site: Raleigh

7 Arkansas v. 10 BYU
15 Portland State (Big Sky) v. 2 Wisconsin (Big 10)
Pod site: Omaha

Houston
Regional Semifinal: March 28
Regional Final: March 30
Site: Reliant Stadium
1 Memphis (Conf. USA) v. 16 TX-Arlington (Southland)
8 West Virginia v. 9 Kansas State
Pod site: Little Rock

5 Washington State v. 12 Kentucky
13 Oral Roberts (Summit) v. 4 Michigan State
Pod site: Denver

3 Stanford v. 14 Boise State (WAC)
11 St. Joseph’s v. 6 Marquette
Pod site: Anaheim

7 Mississippi State v. 10 Baylor
15 MD-Baltimore Cty (Am. East) v. 2 Texas
Pod site: Little Rock

Last four in: St. Joe’s, Kentucky, Illinois State, Arizona State
First four out: Villanova, Oregon, VCU, Ohio State
Next four out: Va. Tech, UMass, Syracuse, New Mexico

Pod Sites
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)

Bids by Conference: Big East (7), Pac-10, Big 12, SEC (6), ACC, Big 10 (4), Atlantic 10, West Coast (3), Mountain West, Missouri Valley, Sun Belt (2)

BracketTown Breakdown for games through March 12

2008-03-13T12:53:00.007-05:00

I'll try to keep this updated as they week wears on. Happy Bracketing!

The BracketTown Breakdown
The Hamptons - ‘High-End Teams’, already locked (30): Tennessee (SEC), Memphis (Conference USA), North Carolina (ACC), Texas (Big 12), UCLA (Pac-10), Duke, Kansas, Xavier (Atlantic 10), Georgetown (Big East), Stanford, Wisconsin (Big 10), Vanderbilt, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisville, Butler (Horizon), Drake (Missouri Valley), Michigan State, Notre Dame, Marquette, Purdue, Washington State, Clemson, Southern California, Davidson (Southern), BYU (Mountain West), Gonzaga, Miami (FL), Pittsburgh and Mississippi State.

Mid-Major Massacres – Little guys ruining the bubble for the big boys (3): San Diego (West Coast), George Mason (Colonial), Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)

One Bid Wonders (15, current conference leader listed): Oral Roberts (Summit), Cornell (Ivy), Siena (Metro-Atlantic), Maryland-Baltimore County (Am. East), Stephen F. Austin (Southland), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Utah State (WAC), American (Patriot), Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), UC-Santa Barbara (Big West), Portland State (Big Sky), Winthrop (Big South), Mt. St. Mary’s (Northeast), Morgan State (Mid-Eastern), Alabama State (SWAC).

Town Square Teams – Teams gathered in the middle of the bracket (27 teams for 17 spots, teams in parenthesis are current conference leaders): Kent State (Mid-American), St. Mary's, Arizona, South Alabama, Oklahoma, UNLV, Baylor, West Virginia, Arkansas, Umass, Kansas State, Saint Joseph's, Texas A&M, Maryland, Arizona State, Va. Commonwealth, Florida, Illinois State, New Mexico, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Houston, Kentucky, Villanova, Oregon, Mississippi and Florida State.

March 12th Bracket

2008-03-12T08:27:00.003-05:00

2008 NCAA Tournament
National Semifinals: April 5
National Finals: April 7
Site: The Alamodome

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

Play-in Game
Sacred Heart (Northeast) v. Alabama St. (SWAC)

Charlotte
Regional Semifinal: March 27
Regional Final: March 29
Site: Charlotte Arena

1 North Carolina (ACC) v. 16 Play-in Game
8 Mississippi State v. 9 Baylor
Pod site: Raleigh

5 Butler (Horizon League) v. 12 Arizona State
4 Notre Dame v. 13 Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
Pod site: Denver

3 Xavier (Atlantic 10) v. 14 Cornell (Ivy League)
6 BYU (Mountain West) v. 11 Illinois State
Pod site: Washington, DC

7 Miami (FL) v. 10 Texas A&M
2 Georgetown (Big East) v. 15 Md.-Balt County (Am. East)
Pod site: Tampa

Detroit
Regional Semifinal: March 28
Regional Final: March 30
Site: Ford Field

1 Tennessee (SEC) v. 16 American (Patriot)
8 Oklahoma v. 9 St. Mary’s
Pod site: Birmingham

5 Indiana v. 12 New Mexico
4 Stanford v. 13 San Diego (West Coast)
Pod site: Anaheim

3 Wisconsin (Big 10) v. 14 UC-Santa Barbara (Big West)
6 Washington State v. 11 Arkansas
Pod site: Omaha

7 Pittsburgh v. 10 South Alabama
2 Kansas v. 15 Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
Pod site: Omaha

Phoenix
Regional Semifinal: March 27
Regional Final: March 29
Site: US Airways Arena

1 UCLA (Pacific 10) v. 16 Morgan State (MEAC)
8 Gonzaga v. 9 UNLV
Pod site: Anaheim

5 Michigan State v. 12 Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)
4 Vanderbilt v. 13 George Mason (Colonial)
Pod site: Tampa

3 Louisville v. 14 Utah State (WAC)
6 Southern California v. 11 Kent State (Mid-American)
Pod site: Birmingham

7 Marquette v. 10 Kentucky
2 Duke v. 15 Winthrop (Big South)
Pod site: Raleigh

Houston
Regional Semifinal: March 28
Regional Final: March 30
Site: Reliant Stadium
1 Memphis (Conf. USA) v. 16 Portland State (Big Sky)
8 Kansas State v. 9 West Virginia
Pod site: Little Rock

5 Drake (Missouri Valley) v. 12 Oregon
4 Purdue v. 13 Oral Roberts (Summit)
Pod site: Denver

3 Connecticut v. 14 Siena (Metro Atlantic)
6 Clemson v. 11 Massachusetts
Pod site: Washington, DC

7 Davidson (Southern) v. 10 Arizona
2 Texas (Big 12) v. 15 Belmont (Atlantic Sun)
Pod site: Little Rock

BracketTown Breakdown

2008-03-12T08:20:00.003-05:00

The BracketTown Breakdown

The Hamptons - ‘High-End Teams’, already locked (27): Tennessee (SEC), Memphis (Conference USA), North Carolina (ACC), Texas (Big 12), UCLA (Pac-10), Duke, Kansas, Xavier (Atlantic 10), Georgetown (Big East), Stanford, Wisconsin (Big 10), Vanderbilt, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisville, Butler (Horizon), Drake (Missouri Valley), Michigan State, Notre Dame, Marquette, Purdue, Washington State, Clemson, Southern California, Davidson (Southern), Gonzaga and Mississippi State.

Mid-Major Massacres – Little guys who are ruining the bubble (3): San Diego (West Coast), George Mason (Colonial), Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)

One Bid Wonders (15, current conference leader listed): Oral Roberts (Summit), Cornell (Ivy), Siena (Metro-Atlantic), Maryland-Baltimore County (Am. East), Stephen F. Austin (Southland), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Utah State (WAC), American (Patriot), Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), UC-Santa Barbara (Big West), Portland State (Big Sky), Winthrop (Big South), Sacred Heart (Northeast), Morgan State (Mid-Eastern), Alabama State (SWAC).

Town Square Teams – Teams gathered in the middle of the bracket (33 teams for 16 spots, teams in parenthesis are current conference leaders): Kent State (Mid-American), St. Mary's, BYU (Mountain West), Arizona, South Alabama, Miami (FL), Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, UNLV, Baylor, West Virginia, Arkansas, Umass, Kansas State, Saint Joseph's, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Rhode Island, Maryland, Arizona State, Va. Commonwealth, Florida, UAB, Illinois State, New Mexico, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Houston, Kentucky, Villanova, Oregon, Dayton, Mississippi.

Monday Bids

2008-03-10T09:26:00.002-05:00

Four more bids will be handed out tonight and the Bubble Teams will be rooting for Davidson (v. Elon) in the Southern Conference final in Charleston and Gonzaga (v. San Diego) in the West Coast Conference final at the "Slim Gym" -- Jenny Craig Pavillion on San Diego's campus.

Other bids tonight: MAAC (Siena v. Rider -- please tune in to watch Jason Thompson of Rider) and the Colonial (George Mason -- remember us v. William and Mary). Both games should not have an effect on the bubble.

March 10th BracketTown Breakdown

2008-03-10T09:18:00.003-05:00

The BracketTown Breakdown

The Hamptons - ‘High-End Teams’, already locked (25): Tennessee (SEC), Memphis (Conference USA), North Carolina (ACC), Texas (Big 12), UCLA (Pac-10), Duke, Kansas, Xavier (Atlantic 10), Georgetown (Big East), Stanford, Wisconsin (Big 10), Vanderbilt, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisville, Butler (Horizon), Drake (Missouri Valley), Michigan State, Notre Dame, Marquette, Purdue, Washington State, Clemson, Southern California, Gonzaga (West Coast) and BYU (Mountain West).

One Bid Wonders (15, current conference leader listed): Oral Roberts (Summit), Cornell (Ivy), Siena (Metro-Atlantic), Maryland-Baltimore County (Am. East), Stephen F. Austin (Southland), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Utah State (WAC), American (Patriot), Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), UC-Santa Barbara (Big West), Portland State (Big Sky), Winthrop (Big South), Sacred Heart (Northeast), Morgan State (Mid-Eastern), Alabama State (SWAC).

Town Square Teams – Teams gathered in the middle of the bracket (38 teams for 25 spots, teams in parenthesis are current conference leaders): Kent State (Mid-American), St. Mary's, Arizona, South Alabama (Sun Belt), Miami (FL), Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, UNLV, Baylor, West Virginia, Arkansas, Umass, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Saint Joseph's, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Rhode Island, Maryland, Arizona State, Va. Commonwealth, George Mason (Colonial), Davidson (Southern), Florida, UAB, Illinois State, New Mexico, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Houston, Kentucky, Villanova, Oregon, Western Kentucky, Dayton, Creighton, Mississippi.

** Clinched automatic berth

March 10th Bracket

2008-03-10T09:08:00.003-05:00

2008 NCAA Tournament
National Semifinals: April 5
National Finals: April 7
Site: The Alamodome

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

Play-in Game
Sacred Heart (Northeast) /Alabama St. (SWAC)

Charlotte
Regional Semifinal: March 27
Regional Final: March 29
Site: Charlotte Arena

1 North Carolina (ACC) v. 16 Play-in Game
8 Oklahoma v. 9 Arizona State
Pod site: Raleigh

5 Indiana v. 12 Davidson (Southern)
4 Vanderbilt v. 13 Syracuse
Pod site: Birmingham

3 Stanford v. 14 Utah State (WAC)
6 Marquette v. 11 New Mexico
Pod site: Anaheim

7 Clemson v. 10 Texas A&M
2 Georgetown (Big East) v. 15 Md.-Balt. County (Am. East)
Pod site: Tampa

Detroit
Regional Semifinal: March 28
Regional Final: March 30
Site: Ford Field

1 Tennessee (SEC) v. 16 American (Patriot)
8 Miami (FL) v. 9 Baylor
Pod site: Birmingham

5 Notre Dame v. 12 Ohio State
4 Butler (Horizion) v. 13 Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
Pod site: Denver

3 Wisconsin v. 14 UC-Santa Barbara (Big West)
6 Washington State v. 11 West Virginia
Pod site: Omaha

7 St. Mary’s v. 10 Kentucky
2 Kansas v. 15 Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
Pod site: Omaha

Phoenix
Regional Semifinal: March 27
Regional Final: March 29
Site: US Airways Arena

1 UCLA (Pacific 10) v. 16 Morgan State (MEAC)
8 BYU (Mountain West) v. 9 South Alabama (Sun Belt)
Pod site: Anaheim

5 Michigan State v. 12 Kent State (Mid-American)
4 Connecticut v. 13 Oral Roberts (Summit)
Pod site: Washington, DC

3 Xavier (Atlantic 10) v. 14 Siena (Metro Atlantic)
6 Gonzaga (West Coast) v. 11 Arkansas
Pod site: Washington, DC

7 Pittsburgh v. 10 Arizona
2 Texas (Big 12) v. 15 Winthrop (Big South)
Pod site: Little Rock

Houston
Regional Semifinal: March 28
Regional Final: March 30
Site: Reliant Stadium

1 Memphis (Conf. USA) v. 16 Portland State (Big Sky)
8 Kansas State v. 9 UNLV
Pod site: Little Rock

5 Drake (Missouri Valley) v. 12 Oregon
4 Purdue v. 13 George Mason (Colonial)
Pod site: Denver

3 Louisville v. 14 Cornell (Ivy)
6 Southern California v. 11 Illinois State
Pod site: Birmingham

7 Mississippi State v. 10 Massachusetts
2 Duke v. 15 Belmont (Atlantic Sun)
Pod site: Raleigh

Last four in: New Mexico, Oregon, Ohio State, Syracuse
First four out: Western Kentucky, St. Joe’s, Florida, Va. Tech
Next four out: Maryland, UAB, Villanova, Mississippi
Still on the board: Va. Commonwealth, Creighton, Dayton, Rhode Island, Houston, Wake Forest

BracketTown Breakdown

2008-03-03T09:08:00.002-06:00

The BracketTown Breakdown

The Hamptons - ‘High-End Teams’, already locked (18): Tennessee (SEC), Memphis (Conference USA), North Carolina (ACC), Texas (Big 12), UCLA (Pac-10), Duke (At-large), Kansas (At-large), Xavier (Atlantic 10), Georgetown (Big East), Stanford (At-large), Wisconsin (Big 10), Vanderbilt (At-large), Connecticut (At-large), Indiana (At-large), Louisville (At-large), Butler (Horizon), Drake (Missouri Valley) and Michigan State.

One Bid Wonders (15, current conference leader listed): Oral Roberts (Summit), Cornell (Ivy), Siena (Metro-Atlantic), Maryland-Baltimore County (Am. East), Stephen F. Austin (Southland)Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Boise State (WAC), American (Patriot), Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), Cal State-Northridge (Big West), Portland State (Big Sky), Winthrop (Big South), Robert Morris (Northeast), Morgan State (Mid-Eastern), Alabama State (SWAC).

Town Square Teams – Teams gathered in the middle of the bracket (45 teams for 32 spots, teams in parenthesis are current conference leaders): Notre Dame, Marquette, Purdue, Washington State, Kent State (Mid-American), St. Mary's, Gonzaga (West Coast), BYU (Mountain West), Arizona, Clemson, South Alabama (Sun Belt), Miami (FL), Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, UNLV, Baylor, West Virginia, Arkansas, Umass, Kansas State, Southern California, Mississippi State, Saint Joseph's, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Rhode Island, Maryland, Arizona State, Va. Commonwealth (Colonial), Davidson (Southern), Florida, UAB, Illinois State, Southern Illinois, New Mexico, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Houston, Kentucky, Villanova, Oregon, Western Kentucky, Creighton, California, Mississippi.

March 3rd Bracket

2008-03-03T08:40:00.002-06:00

2008 NCAA Tournament
National Semifinals: April 5
National Finals: April 7
Site: The Alamodome

Final Four Pairings: East v. West, Midwest v. South

Play-in Game
March 25th at UD Arena, Dayton, OH
Austin Peay (Ohio Valley) /Alabama St. (SWAC)

Charlotte
Regional Semifinal: March 27
Regional Final: March 29
Site: Charlotte Arena

1 North Carolina (ACC) v. 16 Play-in Game
8 Oklahoma v. 9 Arizona State
Pod site: Raleigh

5 Notre Dame v. 12 Davidson (Southern)
4 Vanderbilt v. 13 Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
Pod site: Tampa

3 Xavier (Atlantic 10) v. 14 Siena (Metro-Atlantic)
6 Clemson v. 11 South Alabama (Sun Belt)
Pod site: Washington, DC

7 Pittsburgh v. 10 Maryland
2 Wisconsin (Big 10) v. 15 American (Patriot)
Pod site: Omaha

Phoenix
Regional Semifinal: March 27
Regional Final: March 29
Site: US Airways Arena

1 UCLA (Pacific-10) v. 16 Morgan State (MEAC)
8 BYU (Mountain West) v. 9 Baylor
Pod site: Anaheim

5 Marquette v. 12 Florida
4 Indiana v. 13 Va. Commonwealth (Colonial)
Pod site: Denver

3 Louisville 14 Belmont (Atlantic Sun)
11 Massachusetts v. 6 Washington State
Pod site: Birmingham

7 St. Mary’s v. 10 Texas A&M
2 Duke v. 15 UNC-Asheville (Big South)
Pod site: Raleigh

Detroit
Regional Semifinal: March 28
Regional Final: March 30
Site: Ford Field

1 Tennessee (SEC) v. 16 Robert Morris (Northeast)
8 Kansas State v. 9 Miami (FL)
Pod site: Birmingham

5 Butler (Horizon) v. 12 New Mexico
13 Oral Roberts (Summit) v. 4 Michigan State
Pod site: Denver

3 Georgetown (Big East) v. 14 Cornell (Ivy League)
11 Illinois State v. 6 Gonzaga (West Coast)
Pod site: Tampa

7 Southern California v. 10 Arkansas
15 CS-Northridge (Big West) v. 2 Kansas
Pod site: Omaha

Houston
Regional Semifinal: March 28
Regional Final: March 30
Site: Reliant Stadium

1 Memphis (Conf. USA) v. 16 Portland State (Big Sky)
8 Mississippi State v. 9 UNLV
Pod site: Little Rock

5 Purdue v. 12 Kent State (Mid-American)
4 Connecticut v. 13 Virginia Tech
Pod site: Washington, DC

3 Stanford v. 14 Boise State (WAC)
6 Drake (Missouri Valley) v. 11 UAB
Pod site: Anaheim

7 Arizona v. 10 West Virginia
15 MD.-Baltimore Cty (Am. East) v. 2 Texas (Big 12)
Pod site: Little Rock

Last four in: UAB, New Mexico, Florida, Va. Tech
First four out: Ohio State, St. Joseph’s, Kentucky, Rhode Island
Next four out: Western Kentucky, Syracuse, Villanova, Oregon
Still on the board: Houston, Wake Forest, Creighton, So. Illinois, Mississippi, California

Pod Sites
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)

Bids by Conference: Big East (7), ACC, Big 12, Pac-10 (6), SEC (5), Big 10 (4), Mountain West (3), Missouri Valley, Atlantic 10, Conference USA, West Coast (2)

BracketTown Breakdown No. 2

2008-03-01T11:12:00.004-06:00

The March 1st addition of the Breakdown features some minor changes. Most notably, I've moved the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin to the "at-large" pool. I think if they win their last three games and advance to the final of the Southland Tournament (which is on Selection Sunday) they might have a hope of an at-large if they lose. The win over Oklahoma helps, they'd be 27-4 and their AD is on the Selection Committee (that's not supposed to matter, right?).

We've also added Western Kentucky to the at-large pool with hopes of a WKU and USA final in the Sun Belt.

The Dish
As we approach Championship Week and we continue to look at the bracket it's appropriate to put teams in three categories: The "Hamptons" (the high end teams, locked into the touranment), the "Town Square" teams (the middle of the bracket where everybody gathers) and separately the "One Bid Wonders" (leagues that have ZERO teams with at-large profiles). Currently, we have 78 teams on the board and we'll drop and add as teams get hot or cold. We'll update the automatic qualifiers with an underline when bids are secured.

The Breakdown

The Hamptons (17): Tennessee (SEC), Memphis (Conference USA), North Carolina (ACC), Texas (Big 12), UCLA (Pac-10), Duke (At-large), Kansas (At-large), Xavier (Atlantic 10), Georgetown (Big East), Stanford (At-large), Wisconsin (Big 10), Vanderbilt (At-large), Connecticut (At-large), Indiana (At-large), Louisville (At-large), Butler (Horizon) and Drake (Missouri Valley).

One Bid Wonders (14, current conference leader listed): Oral Roberts (Summit), Cornell (Ivy), Siena (Metro-Atlantic), Maryland-Baltimore County (Am. East), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Boise State (WAC), American (Patriot), Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), Cal State-Northridge (Big West), Portland State (Big Sky), Winthrop (Big South), Robert Morris (Northeast), Morgan State (Mid-Eastern), Alabama State (SWAC).

Town Square Teams (47 teams for 34 spots, teams in parenthesis are current conference leaders): Michigan State, Notre Dame, Marquette, Purdue, Washington State, Kent State (Mid-American), St. Mary's (West Coast), Gonzaga, BYU (Mountain West), Arizona, Clemson, South Alabama (Sun Belt), Miami (FL), Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, UNLV, Baylor, West Virginia, Arkansas, Umass, Kansas State, Southern California, Mississippi State, Saint Joseph's, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Rhode Island, Maryland, Arizona State, Va. Commonwealth (Colonial), Davidson (Southern), Florida, UAB, Illinois State, Southern Illinois, New Mexico, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Houston, Kentucky, Villanova, Oregon, Stephen F. Austin (Southland), Western Kentucky, Creighton, California, Mississippi.

Left for dead: George Mason (at-large hopes)

Bids on the Line

2008-03-01T11:04:00.003-06:00

The Cornell Big Red (18-5, 11-0, 69 RPI) have the first chance to clinch a bid today as they play for the Ivy League title against Harvard (8-19, 3-8 Ivy League). Cornell would be the first team since 1988 (when they won the title) to win the league other than the Power P's -- Penn and Princeton.

Currently, the Big Red project as a 14 seed.

The first conference tournaments begin on Tuesday (Big South, Horizon, Ohio Valley). The first touranment bids via league tournaments will be handed out next Saturday: Atlantic Sun, Big South, Ohio Valley.

Brackettown Breakdown

2008-02-26T22:07:00.002-06:00

As we approach Championship Week and we continue to look at the bracket it appropriate to put teams in three categories: The "Hamptons" (the high end teams, locked into the touranment), the "Town Square" teams (the middle of the bracket where everybody gathers) and separately the "One Bid Wonders" (leagues that have ZERO teams with at-large profiles). Currently, we have 78 teams on the board and we'll drop and add as teams get hot or cold.

The Breakdown

The Hamptons (16): Tennessee, Memphis, North Carolina, Texas, UCLA, Duke, Kansas, Xavier, Georgetown, Stanford, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisville and Butler.

One Bid Wonders (15, current conference leader listed): Stephen F. Austin (Southland), Oral Roberts (Summit), Cornell (Ivy), Siena (Metro-Atlantic), Maryland-Baltimore County (Am. East), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Boise State (WAC), American (Patriot), Austin Peay (Ohio Valley), Cal State-Northridge (Big West), Portland State (Big Sky), Winthrop (Big South), Robert Morris (Northeast), Morgan State (Mid-Eastern), Alabama State (SWAC).

Town Square Teams (47 teams for 34 spots, teams in parenthesis are current conference leaders): Michigan State, Notre Dame, Marquette, Purdue, Washington State, Drake (Missouri Valley), Kent State (Mid-American), St. Mary's (West Coast), Gonzaga, BYU (Mountain West), Arizona, Clemson, South Alabama (Sun Belt), Miami (FL), Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, UNLV, Baylor, West Virginia, Arkansas, Umass, Kansas State, Southern California, Mississippi State, Saint Joseph's, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Rhode Island, Maryland, Arizona State, Va. Commonwealth (Colonial), Davidson (Southern), Florida, UAB, Illinois State, Southern Illinois, New Mexico, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Houston, Kentucky, Villanova, Oregon, Creighton, California, Mississippi, George Mason.

Additions to the Watch Board

2008-02-25T22:01:00.003-06:00

I've added New Mexico and Southern Illinois to the Watch Board. The Lobos and new coach Steve Alford will make their case this week when they host BYU and UNLV. With no current top-50 wins (but a 22-6 mark) a decision will likely be made on the Lobos by Sunday.

The Salukis are rounding into form and I wouldn't want to be playing them in St. Louis. The question remains, though, if they win their last two and two more in the Valley tournament would 20-13 get them in if they lost in the finals. I don't know?

Commentary on the Bracket

2008-02-24T22:28:00.003-06:00

In the few years I've been doing this, I've always had to eliminate teams that I thought should be in the tournament. This year it's the opposite: I'm putting in the least bad teams.

The last four in today -- Villanova, Ohio State, Rhode Island and Syracuse -- have done little to make themselves a lock for anything. But, look at the next four -- Florida, Illinois State, UAB and Wake Forest. You can make a small case for Illinois State (#2 team in the #8 RPI league -- the same case for an AWFUL Air Force team a few years ago) and UAB (no real bad losses and they beat Kentucky). Ugh.

It will be interesting to see who the committee likes this season and their reasons for having teams in and out.

BracketBuster Winners
1. The Missouri Valley was a big winner in the annual Busters with their top five teams all getting big wins: Drake @ Butler, Illinois State v. Wright State, SIU v. Nevada, Creighton @ Oral Roberts and Bradley v. UWM. The Valley tournament should be top notch again this year.

2. Kent State. The Golden Flash made some noise for the first time since Stan Heath led them to within a game of the Final Four in the 2002 NCAA Tournament when the won at St. Mary's (the first team to do so this year). Kent State would be an "at-large IN" in today's bracket if needed. It also didn't hurt that conference mate Ohio game from way back to beat George Mason.

BubbleBusters?
After enduring four games that came down to the last possession in Big 12 losses, the Huskers are now ruining the Big 12 bubble having topped Kansas State and Texas A&M in back-to-back games. Both the Wildcats and the Aggies appear safe, but NU's next opponent -- Oklahoma -- comes to town on Wednesday for another big bubble game. A win in that game for Nebraska would give both teams 6-7 league records. But, remember, the Sooners are playing for their tournament lives.

NOTE: The Huskers beat consecutive ranked opponents for the first time since 1999 with the wins last week.

Teams we are watching
1. Kentucky -- Can Billy Gillespie's team come back from the dead? If the Wildcats are 18-11 going to the SEC Tournament and advance to the SEC semifinals can you really leave them out?

2. Ohio State -- They couldn't beat Wisconsin at home today and now the travel to Bloomington. If they lose to the Hoosiers, I'd think they need to win out: @ Minnesota, v. Michigan State and v. Purdue.

3. Syracuse -- The Orange are really good at home where they have a chance to beat Marquette and Pittsburgh before the Big East tournament. It's the game @ Seton Hall I'm more interested in.

4. The middle of the Atlantic 10 -- Will anyone give Xavier a fight in the league tournament? St. Joseph's, UMass and Rhode Island should have the best chance. If those teams advance to the final four of the touranment at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City they might all make the Big Dance.

5. Maryland @ Wake Forest -- The winner is likely in next week's bracket and the loser is likely out. What has happened to the Terps -- the loss at home to Va. Tech is unexcusable.

February 25th Bracket

2008-02-24T22:05:00.002-06:00

2008 NCAA Tournament
National Semifinals: April 5
National Finals: April 7
Site: The Alamodome
Final Four pairings: South v. Midwest, West v. East

Charlotte
1 Tennessee (SEC) v. 16 Robert Morris (Northeast) /Alabama St. (SWAC)
8 Pittsburgh v. 9 Oklahoma
Pod site: Birmingham
5 Butler (Horizon League) v. 12 Rhode Island
4 Indiana v. 13 VCU (Colonial)
Pod site: Denver
3 Louisville v. 14 Cornell (Ivy League)
6 Vanderbilt v. 11 Kent State (Mid-American)
Pod site: Birmingham
7 Arizona v. 10 West Virginia
2 Xavier v. 15 Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
Washington, DC

Phoenix
1 Duke (ACC) v. 16 Winthrop (Big South)
8 Kansas State v. 9 Arkansas
Pod site: Raleigh
5 Washington State v. 12 Syracuse
4 Wisconsin v. 13 S.F.Austin (Southland)
Pod site: Omaha
3 Georgetown (Big East) v. 14 Md.-Balt. Cty (Am. East)
6 Clemson v. 11 South Alabama (Sun Belt)
Pod site: Tampa
7 St. Mary’s (West Coast) v. 10 BYU (Mountain West)
2 UCLA (Pacific 10) v. 15 CS-Northridge (Big West)
Pod site: Anaheim

Detroit
1 North Carolina v. 16 Morgan State (MEAC)
8 Mississippi State v. 9 Baylor
Pod site: Raleigh
5 Michigan State v. 12 Villanova
4 Drake (Missouri Valley) v. 13 Oral Roberts (Summit)
Pod site: Denver
3 Stanford v. 14 Boise State (WAC)
6 Marquette v. 11 Massachusetts
Pod site: Anaheim
7 Gonzaga v. 10 Maryland
2 Kansas v. 15 American (Patriot)
Pod site: Omaha

Houston
1 Memphis (Conf. USA) v. 16 Portland State (Big Sky)
8 Texas A&M v. 9 Arizona State
Pod site: Little Rock
5 Notre Dame v. 12 St. Joseph’s
4 Purdue v. 13 Davidson (Big South)
Pod site: Tampa
3 Connecticut v. 14 Siena (MAAC)
6 Southern California v. 11 Ohio State
Pod site: Washington, DC
7 Miami (FL) v. 10 UNLV
2 Texas v. 15 Belmont (Atlantic Sun)
Pod site: Little Rock

Last four in: Villanova, Ohio State, Rhode Island, Syracuse
First four out: Florida, Illinois State, UAB, Wake Forest
Next four out: Va. Tech, Houston, Kentucky, Oregon
Still on the board: Creighton, California, Mississippi, George Mason
Left for dead: Dayton, NC State

February 18th Bracket

2008-02-17T22:37:00.002-06:00

First, I apologize for no brackets the past couple of weeks but they have been on the mothership at www.huskerhoopscentral.com. Without further ado:

Houston (South) v. Charlotte (East)
Phoenix (West) v. Detroit (Midwest)

Houston
1 Memphis (Conf. USA) v. 16 Wagner (Northeast)/Alabama State (SWAC)
8 Rhode Island v. 9 Ohio State
Pod site: Little Rock
5 Michigan State v. 12 Baylor
4 Drake (Missouri Valley) v. 13 Davidson (Southern)
Pod site: Omaha
3 Butler (Horizon) v. 14 Cornell (Ivy)
6 Louisville v. 11 Kent State (Mid-American)
Pod site: Birmingham
7 Arizona v. 10 Florida
2 Texas v. 15 Winthrop (Big South)
Pod site: Little Rock

Charlotte
1 Duke (ACC) v. 16 American (Patriot)
8 Pittsburgh v. 9 Oklahoma
Pod site: Raleigh
5 Vanderbilt v. 12 Oral Roberts (Summit)
4 Wisconsin v. 13 Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
Pod site: Denver
3 Stanford v. 14 Utah State (WAC)
6 St. Mary's (West Coast) v. 11 UNLV
Pod site: Anaheim
7 Clemson v. 10 Arkansas
2 Georgetown v. 15 MD-Balt. County (Am. East)
Pod site: Tampa

Phoenix
1 Tennessee (SEC) v. 16 Morgan State (MEAC)
8 Marquette v. 9 Maryland
Pod site: Birmingham
5 Kansas State v. 12 Arizona State
4 Purdue v. 13 Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)
Pod site: Denver
3 Xavier (Atlantic 10) v. 14 Siena (Metro Atlantic)
6 Notre Dame v. 11 Wake Forest
Pod site: Washington, DC
7 Gonzaga v. 10 BYU (Mountain West)
2 UCLA (Pacific 10) v. 15 CS-Northridge (Big West)
Pod site: Anaheim

Detroit
1 Kansas (Big 12) v. 16 Portland State (Big West)
8 Mississippi State v. 9 Syracuse
Pod site: Omaha
5 Washington State v. 12 South Alabama
4 Indiana v. 13 Va. Commonwealth (Colonial)
Pod site: Tampa
3 Connecticut v. 14 Belmont (Atlantic Sun)
6 Texas A&M v. 11 St. Joseph’s
Pod site: Washington, DC
7 Southern California v. 10 West Virginia
2 North Carolina v. 15 Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
Pod site: Raleigh

Last four in: St. Joseph’s, South Alabama, Wake Forest, Arizona State
First four out: Dayton, Mississippi, Illinois State, UMass
Next four out: Oregon, Miami (FL), California, NC State
Still on the board: Villanova, Kentucky, George Mason, Creighton

Pod sites for the 20th and 22nd: Washington, DC, Omaha, Anaheim, Denver
Pod sites for the 21st and 23rd: Raleigh, Little Rock, Tampa, Birmingham

Bracket Commentary

2008-01-27T21:22:00.001-06:00

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.

Jan. 28 Bracket

2008-01-27T20:49:00.000-06:00

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

Weekend Setup

2008-01-25T21:48:00.000-06:00

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.

The Bracket, January 21st

2008-01-21T22:16:00.000-06:00

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

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