It has been a long time since I had an opportunity to do a set of projections (and predictions), so I have taken advantage of this extended holiday period.
As expected, North Carolina remains the team to beat and Ty Lawson has taken his game to a whole ‘nother level. The unexpected element is the rise of the Big Ten Conference. Many expected this to be a pedestrian year for the conference; however, Michigan, Illinois, and Minnesota never got the memo.
Arguably, Michigan has the two most important OOC wins. On the flipside, the SEC is just bad. We knew that the SEC West would suffer, but the entire conference (except South Carolina). Eventually, we expect a 4th (and possibly a 5th) bid from the conference.
Because we use the projection/prediction model, there are some picks that are off putting to say the least.
One is Louisville as the last #2 seed. The Cardinals have struggled out of the gate with losses to Western Kentucky and Minnesota, but Pitino’s Louisville teams generally do what they do now and then gel in late January to early March. I just think they’re getting to used to life without David Padgett.
The other is USC among the last four. The Trojans have done exactly squadoosh to justify an at-large bid. Nevertheless, USC storms and norms until mid-January under Tim Floyd. Because of attrition related to recruiting practices (i.e. possessing an utter willingness to take on one-year players), it takes a while for his new players to learn how to defend well. That said, do not be surprised if they come out as the #3 team out of the PAC 10.
If you have any questions, comments, or just wish to send a shout, shoot me a line at phashemi@gmail.com.
The Seedings
1: North Carolina, UConn (Big East), Pittsburgh, Oklahoma (Big XII)
2: Duke (ACC), Texas, UCLA (PAC-10), Louisville
3: Gonzaga (WCC), Notre Dame, Purdue (Big Ten), Tennessee (SEC)
4: Syracuse, Michigan State, Clemson, Ohio State
5: Georgetown, Arizona State, Wake Forest, Michigan
6: Villanova, Davidson, Xavier (A-10), Memphis (C-USA)
7: Miami-FL, Baylor, Butler, Minnesota
8: St. Mary’s, UNLV (Mountain West), Kentucky, Arizona
9: Creighton (MVC), Wisconsin, Florida, BYU
10: Marquette, Kansas, Maryland, Illinois State
11: West Virginia, Texas A&M, Dayton, Illinois
12: Florida State, USC, Cleveland State (Horizon), Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)
13: VCU (CAA), Nevada (WAC), Portland State (Big Sky), Siena (Metro Atlantic),
14: Oakland (Summit), Akron (MAC), Vermont (America East), Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
15: American (Patriot), Cornell (Ivy), Liberty (Big South), Belmont (Atlantic Sun)
16: Pacific (Big West), Hampton (MEAC), Murray State (Ohio Valley), Mount St. Mary’s (Northeast), Jackson State (SWAC)
Last Four In: Texas A&M, Illinois, USC, Florida State
Last Four Out: Missouri, California, UAB, Stanford
Next Four Out: Washington, LSU, Cincinnati, Temple
Seeding Summary (Multi-Bid Conferences Only in Order of Percentage)
Big Ten: 7/11
ACC: 7/12
Big East: 9/16
Big XII: 5/12
Pac-10: 4/10
SEC: 3/12
West Coast: 2/8
Mountain West: 2/9
Horizon: 2/10
Missouri Valley: 2/10
A-10: 2/14
Think you can make some improvements? Go for it. But you BETTER be ready to back it up!
Irina Shayk
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Comments (11) Add A Comment
If Stanford wins tonight against Arizona St., they had better not only be in with their undefeated record, but be at least a 6 seed. They are an underrated team that even if they lose to a very good ASU squad, are a threat.
cardinaluprising
Phoenixville , PA
Total Comments (1)
Not when you lose by 30
asualumn05
Highlands Ranch, CO
Total Comments (37)
ZING!
Chasin' Utleys
Total Comments (7415)
I like seeing the Big Ten being good at something, since football seems so foriegn to them.
Chasin' Utleys
Total Comments (7415)
Syracuse will be a much higher seed than #4. They will be a 2 if not a 1. Y'all better recognize!!
Tha 'Cuse is in the House!!!!!
LoudHouse
Whitesboro , NY
Total Comments (3)
Syracuse will be a much higher seed than a 4. They will be at least a 2 if not a 1. Y'all better Recognize!
Tha 'Cuse is in tha house!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LoudHouse
Whitesboro , NY
Total Comments (3)
Forgive the double post, guess I needed to say it twice.... Haha
LoudHouse
Whitesboro , NY
Total Comments (3)
Picking Creighton and Illinois State out of the Missouri Valley Conference?!?!? Obviously, this blog was posted before the shakedown in the conference this past week. Cross out Creighton and Illinois State. Look for Drake to take the regular season title and to gain at at-large bid. Creighton and Illinois State only get in if they take the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
DrakeFan
Saint Louis , MO
Total Comments (4)
Illinois is better than I ever would of thought. They might play the best team basketball in the nation. They Just don't have that stud that wants to take over a game. They are going to beat Michigan today and jump in to the top 25. They will be at the top of the big ten and probably get a 5 seed in the dance.
scottygee
Total Comments (1)
Texas A&M will be seeded much higher than 11. They are 15-2 right now just handled Baylor i expect them to do some damage in the big 12 and be at least a 4 or 5 seed.
TexasAggie7380
Kyle , TX
Total Comments (18)
Time to update youp bracket!
eaglesfansince77
Total Comments (13)
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