A Jersey Guy: Madness in March begins
The speculation is over and agree--or strongly disagree--the NCAA selection committee has chosen it's 68 team field, which is loaded with Mid-Majors (6 from the rising Mountain Athletic Conference, 2 from the A-10 and 2 from the AAC) to provide some drama.
Conversely the once mighty Big East, which had the computer numbers (2nd ranked conference) could only manage 3 teams in the field as compared to the MWC.
Or junk it.
What seems apparent is that the NCAA has to
do a better job explaining the NET ranki three choices behind UConn, Marquette and Creighton).
So be it. We finished with 65 of 68 in our final bracketology listing.
As to the tournament field itself, there are some interesting assets.
First of all, another round of applaluse for Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey, who continues to be the most powerful and most qualified figure in college athletics.
The SEC, once regarded as football conference has 8 teams in (tyed with the Big 12), and could have as many as two and perhaps even three teams showing up in Arizona in April at the Final Four
But to climb to the top of the mountain, they will have to take the flag away from UConn, the No. 1 ranked team in the tournament and the No. 1 seed ion the East Regional, which will be played in Boston.
Let's take a quick look at each region and make some predictions, but unlike bracketology which is based on numbers and some common sense, we will play the Sgt. Schultz (look it up on Google) "We know nothing'' role.
EAST
Champion: UConn.
The committee had an interesting way of rewarding the Huskies, sticking No. 2 seed and Big 12 tournament chamion, Iowa State, No. 3 seed and Big 10 tournament champion Illinois and No. 4 seed and SEC tournament champion Auburn in the same region.
'That's balanced?
Best sleeper pick:
No. 6 seed BYU
WEST
Champion: Arizona
In some ways it looks like the softest regiona. No. 1 seed Arizona and No. 2 Arizona have some flaws and stumbled at times, which means teams like No. 3 Baylor and No. 4 Alabama could show up on the podium
Best Sleeper Pick:
No, 5 seed Saint Mary's
MIDWEST
Champion: Gonzaga
No. 1 Purdue should be king of hill. The Boilermakers have talent and motivaion and have beaten off all challengers, including Gonzaga. but we don't trust them.
Gonzaga is just as hungry and has the talent to take on anyoisne. Tennessee is also lurking and is just as dangerous and should also be in the mix, but we have a hunch about Gonzaga No 3 Creighton also some talent, but we're not sure about the toughness.
Best Sleeper pick:
No. 6 South Carolina
SOUTH
Champion: Kentucky
On any given night, Kehtucky can beat ANYONE in college basketball. And makle no misake, Coach John Calipari is as good in the X's and O's departmeng as he is in getting talented Jimmy's and Joe's to show up for at least a year in Lexington. But this season Kentucky has disappeared for lo stretches on defense.
Make no mistake, this region is set up for Kentucky--at 20-1 they are a bargin Vegas bet and No. 1 seed is a huge obstacle. But Kentucky has the talent to match Houston.
Best Sleeper Pick
No. 12 seed James Madison
Tournament Upset Specials (First two rounds)
UAB over San Diego State
Drake over Washington State
New Mexico over Clemson
Samford over Kansas
James Madison over Wisconsin
Coaching carousel chatte
Prediction: UCLA coach Mick Cronin will wind up at Louisville. Vifinia coach Tony Bennett will wind up at Michigan, Boston College coach Evan Grant will wind up at Virginia and (if Cronin leaves UCLA) New Mexico coach Richard Pitino will wind up at UCLA.
Just guessing.