Big couple days of hoops here as we get about 15-20 bids sorted out still. It's not that ambiguous, I'm just too lazy to count. There are a bunch of random championship games that are all one bid leagues and low seeds, but a couple are worth noting before we talk about the big boys and what's at stake there...
Ivy - Play-in game between Harvard and Princeton today. Princeton won at home by 4, then Harvard won by 12 at home a week ago. Now the rematch at Yale. Should be a dandy. Harvard hasnt been dancing in 50 years. Just feels right. Harvard has a looongshot at large profile if they lose but I just don't see them getting in over someone like Alabama or Clemson sadly.
C-USA - Memphis vs UTEP in the final today. Top seed UAB lost to the 8 seed. I just see a lot of mediocrity here and absolutely a one bid league. The top nonconference wins are over teams like Gonzaga and Michigan, and there are plenty of questionable losses. I like UTEP since they're playing at home. It will just be wrong if Memphis or UAB steals someone's bid.
Atlantic 10 - It's the semi finals today. One matchup pits Temple vs Richmond, both teams safely in at this point. Richmond is near the edge but will either win beat Temple and be in easily or get a worthy loss and still be in. The only thing worth noting is the other side of the matchup, St Joe's (the 12 seed) vs Dayton. Neither of those teams has a shot but one of them will be playing for a bid tomorrow and could still a spot. I like Temple to take care of business like usual.
Big 10 - After a gross Friday of upsets, we don't have much drama left here. It's almost certain #1 and Big 10 champ Ohio St... along with three other teams who won't give them more of a speed bump this weekend but who all secured their spots with nice upset victories yesterday: Michigan, Michigan St, and Penn St. Huge day for the Big 10, who end up with 7 of their 11 teams dancing, though both Wisconsin and Purdue fall a seed after yesterday. Some might still have Penn St near the bubble so a win today couldn't hurt.
SEC - The top four teams from conference play remain so it should be a good finish. It's UK-Bama on one half and Florida-Vandy on the other. I think Florida or UK move up to a 3 seed if they win it. Vandy won't but could go up to a 5 or a longshot 4. Bama is the team with the most to play for. I have them as my second to last team in after beating Georgia yesterday and a win today would secure their spot. But I have UK beating Florida in the final and Bama sweating out a long day tomorrow waiting.
ACC - Two top seeds and two teams on the bubble. UNC plays Va Tech, who I have safely in with their win over FSU yesterday. A win today certainly couldn't hurt. The team with more to play for is Clemson, who gets a shot at likely Nolan-Smith-less Duke. I have Clemson as my second team out so they need this one. I just don't see how we don't get Duke UNC III tomorrow. Cross your fingers. I'll take UNC with yesterday's wakeup win and the Nolan injury.
Pac 10 - Washington and Arizona, two of my favorite sleeper teams. Both very easily in and probably 2 of only 3 Pac schools now. Wazzu is on the wrong side of the bubble, and I have USC as a last three team in but can't see the committee doing it after the NCAA just suspended their coach. Washington won by 17 at home and lost by 1 in Arizona on a wicked blocked shot by Derrick Williams. I think the Huskies are the favorites. I have Arizona as about a 6 seed and Washington as a 9. I don't see that changing much.
MWC - Here we go, BYU and San Diego St one last time... and it doesn't even seem to be on tv. Fantastic. Jimmer scored 52 yesterday. He shot 22 for 37. That's actually even crazier because 22 field goals (including 7 threes) is 51 points, so that means only 1 free throw. That's just a shooting clinic. Player of the year it is, then. He's had some big games against SD St and they'll need him again. I have a 4 seed and 5 seed for these two squads, winner getting the 4. Plenty at stake and lots will be watching if they can find it. I think these teams could still end up 2 and 3 seeds nationally if people have really bought into this. I am drooling over the thought of knocking a 2 seed SDSt out in round two (please God, not in a bracket with #1 Duke. ugh). I do like San Diego St to get this one and get the very high seed.
Big East - Well we've reshuffled the entire Big East deck the last couple days, and player of the year candidate Kemba Walker has come through yet again. I have Pitt and ND at a dead heat at the top. I'll give the edge to ND because they won the regular season matchup at Pitt, so they could get the 1 seed (huge upset alert - get ready to pick someone else for the Final Four). Both deserve 1 seeds but one could get snubbed for Duke. Good chance Duke and one of them are together in one of the brackets. I still have Syracuse as a solid 2 seed, and Louisville is there now as well with 5 wins over the top 4 Big East teams (other than themselves). UConn and St Johns are borderline 3-4 seeds. UConn could secure a 3 with a win tonight but I have to think Louisville's tempo will end this one early. There are still 5 more Big East teams safely in after that but none that I trust much in.
Big 12 - This is the golden egg of the games today with a Kansas and Texas rematch in the final. KU could still be the 1 overall seed and should be a 1 seed either way. Texas could potentially steal a #1 if they sweep the Jayhawks, but they're a pretty 2 seed. Still this is going to have a tourney feel, and both of these teams are top 5-7 contenders to cut down the nets. I like Kansas to win this one, but I hope it's a great game. It should be.
Bubble watch - I have Colorado, Florida St, Michigan, Georgia, Penn St, Richmond, and Va Tech all safely in, though one of those last two gets a play-in game. That leaves 3 spots left for me (really 2 because I know the committee is taking George Mason against all logic. I still think I'd rather take Harvard). I think Alabama is relatively safe. My other two spots are currently USC and Nebraska, with Clemson and Ok St my last two out. Can I say again how unexcited I am to see some combination of Richmond, Alabama, Va Tech, and Clemson playing play-in games on Tuesday? Then again it's better than McNeese St vs Grambling St so I guess I shouldn't complain. But seriously, stop letting these crapfest teams in. The bubble would be perfect with those 3 fewer spots.
Can't wait to see that bracket!! Should still get a great SEC final tomorrow, a fun A10 matchup, and Lord willing, hopefully Duke UNC III. Yes please. =]
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