Big East ConferenceThe Big East is the nation's most competitive and deep conference. There are already 7 teams that will be in the field of 65 regardless, but Providence, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame need to be successful in this tourney to grab a spot of their own. In the first round I'm taking Cinci over DePaul, G-town over St. Johns, ND over Rutgers, and South Florida to upset Seton Hall. In the second round, I have Cinci beating Providence, Marquette defeating G-town, ND over West Virginia, and S! yracuse over USF. These two wins should put Cinci in the field of 65 as an at-large. Next up, Louisville takes out the Bearcats in the Quarterfinals, Marquette shocks Villanova, Pitt beats ND, and Uconn sneaks by the Cuse. Louisville and Pitt then meet in the finals. I think Pitt is the better team, but Louisville gets the best of them here and has a gripe for a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Providence remains on the bubble.
SEC
The SEC is very weak this seas! on and LSU looks like the only sure thing. This tournament wil! l decide the fates of Tennessee, SC, Florida, Kentucky, Auburn, and Mississippi State. In the first round I got Kentucky over Ole Miss, Georgia upsetting Mississippi St., Vandy over Alabama, and Florida over Arkansas. Kentucky will need to beat LSU, but I don't see it happening. LSU advances along with SC over Georgia, Tennessee over Vandy, and Florida over Auburn. LSU beats South Carolina to advance to the title game where they will meet Florida. For the Gators the third time is a charm against the Vols. LSU takes the SEC title and gains likely a #4 seed. Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina all earn at-large bids. Auburn and Kentucky sit on the bubble.
Big 12 Conference
Oklahoma seems to be the Final 4 contender, but Kansas is the regular season champion of the Big 12. OU, KU, and Missouri are all in, while four teams sit on the bubble. In round one, Nebraska takes out Baylor, Texas wipes out Colorado, Oklahoma St. breezes by Iowa State, and Texas Tech shocks Texas A&M. In round 2, Kansas beats Nebraska, Oklahoma State stuns Oklahoma, Missouri defeats Pat Knight and the Red Raiders, and Texas beats Kansas State. This leaves Kansas beating Texas and Missouri knocking off Oklahoma State. Kansas then wins the Big 12 again. Oklahoma, Missouri, Oklahoma State, and Texas all earn at-large bids. Kansas State, Texas A&M, and Nebraska sit on the bubble.
Big 10 Conference
Michigan State, Illinois, and Purdue all figure to be in, but 6 others sit on the bubble. In round 1, Northwestern shocks Minnesota, Michigan beats Iowa, and Penn State destroys Indiana. In round 2 action, Michigan State ends Northwestern's hopes, Ohio State sneaks by Wisconsin, Illinois knocks off Michigan, and Penn State upsets Purdue. In the semifinals, Michigan State and Penn State are victorious. Penn State then clinches their birth via the Big 10 title in a shocker. Michigan State loses chance at a #1 seed. Illinois, Purdue, and Ohio State join them in the dance. Michigan remians only team on the bubbl! e. Minnesota, Northwesterm, and Wisconsin head to NIT.
ACC
North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson, and Florida State are all in, but BC, Maryland, and VT still holdon hope. In round 1, Miami (FL) ends VT, Clemson destroys GT, Maryland defeats NC State, and BC escapes Virginia. In round 2, NC blows out Miami, Clemson sends FSU home, WF sneaks by Maryland, and BC shocks Duke again. NC outlasts Clemson and Wake Forest cruises past BC. NC then wins the ACC title and the #1 overall s! eed. WF, Duke, Clemson, Florida State, and Boston College join! NC in t he dance. Maryland sits on the bubble.
Pac-10 Conference
The Pac-10 is the weakest of the big conferences, but 6 teams have march madness hopes. Washington and UCLA are probably safely in, but the others have work to do. In round 1, Oregon St. beats Stanford and Washington State defeats Oregon. In round 2 action, Arizona State sneaks by Arizona, Washington obliterates Oregon State, Cal beats USC, and Washington State upends UCLA. Arizona State then beats Washington and Cal defeats Wa! zzou St. Arizona State then clinches the automatic bid. UCLA, Cal, and Washington join the Sun Devils in the dance. Arizona remains on the bubble.
One week to Selection Sunday, I hope all of you are as excited as I am! NC, Pitt, Memphis, and Louisville are my #1 seeds after these tournaments. Uconn and Oklahoma slip to #2 seeds along with Kansas and Wake Forest.
