2010-11 Predictions

Regular Season:

Conference Champs:

ACC- Duke
Big East- Pittsburgh
Big Ten- Ohio State
Big 12- Kansas
Pac 10- Arizona
SEC- Kentucky
MWC- San Diego State
A10- Temple
WCC- Gonzaga
MVC- Wichita State

National POY:  Kyle Singler, Duke
National COY:  Sean Miller, Arizona


Tournament Predictions

#1 Seeds:  Duke, Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Kentucky

Sleepers:  Washington, Texas, Georgetown

Early Exits:  Kansas State, Florida, Illinois

Cinderella:  Wichita State

Final Four:  Duke, Michigan State, Villanova, Ohio State

National Champions:  Duke Blue Devils

MVP:  Kyle Singler, Duke

Final Predictions

I've decided to roll the dice and put Mississippi State in the field.  We'll know if it was the right decision in the next 2 hours.


Midwest (#1 Overall)

Oklahoma City
1 Kansas
16 East Tennessee State

8 Florida State
9 Louisville

San Jose
5 Vanderbilt
12 UTEP

4 Michigan State
13 Murray State

New Orleans
6 Gonzaga
11 Minnesota

3 Villanova
14 Ohio

Providence
7 Texas
10 San Diego State

2 Temple
15 Morgan State

West (#4 Overall)

Buffalo
1 Syracuse
16 Robert Morris

8 Oklahoma State
9 St. Mary's

New Orleans
5 Maryland
12 Washington

4 Tennessee
13 Wofford

San Jose
6 Texas A&M
11 Utah State

3 New Mexico
14 Montana

Milwaukee
7 Notre Dame
10 Wake Forest

2 Ohio State
15 North Texas


East (#2 Overall)

Milwaukee
1 Kentucky
16 Winthrop vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff

8 Clemson
9 Marquette

Spokane
5 Butler
12 Cornell

4 Wisconsin
13 New Mexico State

Providence
6 Brigham Young
11 Old Dominion

3 Georgetown
14 Houston

Oklahoma City
7 Xavier
10 Georgia Tech

2 Kansas State
15 UC Santa Barbara


South (#3 Overall)

Jacksonville
1 Duke
16 Lehigh

8 UNLV
9 California

Spokane
5 Baylor
12 Siena

4 Pittsburgh
13 Oakland

Jacksonville
6 Richmond
11 Mississippi State

3 Purdue
14 Sam Houston State

Buffalo
7 Northern Iowa
10 Missouri

2 West Virginia
15 Vermont

Selection Sunday Predictions

Midwest (#1 Overall)

Oklahoma City
1 Kansas
16 East Tennessee State

8 Florida State
9 Louisville

San Jose
5 Vanderbilt
12 UTEP

4 Michigan State
13 Murray State

New Orleans
6 Gonzaga
11 Minnesota

3 Villanova
14 Ohio

Providence
7 Texas
10 San Diego State

2 Temple
15 Morgan State


West (#4 Overall)


1 Syracuse
16 Robert Morris

8 Oklahoma State
9 St. Mary's

New Orleans
5 Maryland
12 Washington

4 Tennessee
13 Wofford

San Jose
6 Texas A&M
11 Utah State

3 New Mexico
14 Montana

Milwaukee
7 Notre Dame
10 Wake Forest

2 Ohio State
15 North Texas


East (#2 Overall)

Milwaukee
1 Kentucky
16 Winthrop vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff

8 Clemson
9 Marquette

Spokane
5 Butler
12 Cornell

4 Wisconsin
13 New Mexico State

Providence
6 Brigham Young
11 Old Dominion

3 Georgetown
14 Houston

Oklahoma City
7 Xavier
10 Georgia Tech

2 Kansas State
15 UC Santa Barbara


South (#3 Overall)

Jacksonville
1 Duke
16 Lehigh

8 UNLV
9 California

Spokane
5 Baylor
12 Siena

4 Pittsburgh
13 Oakland

Jacksonville
6 Richmond
11 Virginia Tech

3 Purdue
14 Sam Houston State

Buffalo
7 Northern Iowa
10 Missouri

2 West Virginia
15 Vermont


Virginia Tech is my last team in, and Mississippi State is the only team playing tomorrow that is not currently in the field.  If they win they'll take the Hokies' spot in the bracket.  Everyone else in the field is safe at this point.

Projections for 3/13/10

Last Four In:  Florida, Illinois, Washington, Rhode Island

Last Four Out:  Minnesota, Seton Hall, Mississippi State, Memphis

Longshots:  South Florida, Arizona State, William & Mary, Wichita State, Ole Miss


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 East Tennessee State

8 California
9 Clemson

5 Vanderbilt
12 Siena

4 Pittsburgh
13 Murray State

6 Xavier
11 Wake Forest

3 Villanova
14 Wofford

7 UNLV
10 Missouri

2 Purdue
15 Morgan State


West (#4 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Robert Morris

8 Florida State
9 St. Mary's

5 Baylor
12 Florida

4 Michigan State
13 Washington

6 Richmond
11 Virginia Tech

3 New Mexico
14 Montana

7 Notre Dame
10 Utah State

2 Ohio State
15 North Texas


East (#2 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Winthrop vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff

8 Texas
9 UTEP

5 Maryland
12 Illinois

4 Georgetown
13 Akron

6 Brigham Young
11 Georgia Tech

3 Temple
14 Oakland

7 Gonzaga
10 Louisville

2 Kansas State
15 UC Santa Barbara


South (#3 Overall)

1 Duke
16 Lehigh

8 Oklahoma State
9 Marquette

5 Butler
12 Cornell

4 Wisconsin
13 Rhode Island

6 Texas A&M
11 Old Dominion

3 Tennessee
14 Sam Houston State

7 Northern Iowa
10 San Diego State

2 West Virginia
15 Vermont

Projections for 3/11/10

Last Four In:  Memphis, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss

Last Four Out:  Washington, Seton Hall, Illinois, UAB

Next Four Out:  Rhode Island, South Florida, Cincinnati, Minnesota


Midwest (#1 Overall)

Oklahoma City
1 Kansas
16 East Tennessee State

8 Wake Forest
9 Louisville

Jacksonville
5 Butler
12 Cornell

4 Tennessee
13 Arizona State

Providence
6 Xavier
11 Old Dominion

3 Villanova
14 Wofford

San Jose
7 Texas
10 Virginia Tech

2 New Mexico
15 UC Santa Barbara


West (#4 Overall)

Jacksonville
1 Duke
16 Lehigh

8 Northern Iowa
9 Notre Dame

San Jose
5 Brigham Young
12 Siena

4 Baylor
13 Ole Miss

Providence
6 Texas A&M
11 Florida

3 Pittsburgh
14 Oakland

Milwaukee
7 Gonzaga
10 Utah State

2 Purdue
15 Morgan State


East (#2 Overall)

New Orleans
1 Kentucky
16 Winthrop vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff

8 UNLV
9 Missouri

Spokane
5 Maryland
12 Memphis

4 Michigan State
13 Murray State

New Orleans
6 Richmond
11 Marquette

3 Wisconsin
14 Montana

Buffalo
7 Florida State
10 Oklahoma State

2 West Virginia
15 Vermont


South (#3 Overall)

Buffalo
1 Syracuse
16 Robert Morris

8 California
9 UTEP

Spokane
5 Vanderbilt
12 Georgia Tech

4 Temple
13 Kent State

Oklahoma City
6 Georgetown
11 San Diego State

3 Kansas State
14 Sam Houston State

Milwaukee
7 Clemson
10 St. Mary's

2 Ohio State
15 North Texas

Projections for 3/10/10

Last Four In:  Memphis, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, South Florida

Last Four Out:  Washington, Seton Hall, Illinois, Ole Miss

Next Four Out:  UAB, Rhode Island, Minnesota, St. Louis


Midwest (#1 Overall)

Oklahoma City
1 Kansas
16 East Tennessee State

8 Wake Forest
9 California

Jacksonville
5 Butler
12 Cornell

4 Tennessee
13 Siena

Providence
6 Xavier
11 Old Dominion

3 Villanova
14 Wofford

San Jose
7 Louisville
10 Virginia Tech

2 Louisville
15 UC Santa Barbara


West (#4 Overall)

Jacksonville
1 Duke
16 Lehigh

8 Northern Iowa
9 Notre Dame

San Jose
5 Brigham Young
12 Arizona State

4 Baylor
13 Murray State

Providence
6 Texas A&M
11 Florida

3 Pittsburgh
14 Oakland

Milwaukee
7 Gonzaga
10 Oklahoma State

2 Purdue
15 Morgan State


East (#2 Overall)

New Orleans
1 Kentucky
16 Winthrop vs Jackson State

8 Missouri
9 UNLV

Spokane
5 Maryland
12 Memphis

4 Michigan State
13 South Florida

New Orleans
6 Richmond
11 Marquette

3 Wisconsin
14 Weber State

Buffalo
7 Florida State
10 St. Mary's

2 West Virginia
15 Vermont


South (#3 Overall)

Buffalo
1 Syracuse
16 Quinnipiac

8 Texas
9 UTEP

Spokane
5 Vanderbilt
12 Georgia Tech

4 Temple
13 Kent State

Oklahoma City
6 Georgetown
11 San Diego State

3 Kansas State
14 Sam Houston State

Milwaukee
7 Clemson
10 Utah State

2 Ohio State
15 North Texas

Projections for 3/8/10

Last Four In:  Memphis, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, South Florida

Last Four Out:  Washington, Seton Hall, Illinois, Ole Miss

Next Four Out:  UAB, Rhode Island, Minnesota, St. Louis


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 East Tennessee State

8 Wake Forest
9 California

5 Vanderbilt
12 Cornell

4 Michigan State
13 South Florida

6 Xavier
11 Old Dominion

3 Villanova
14 Wofford

7 Louisville
10 Virginia Tech

2 New Mexico
15 UC Santa Barbara


West (#4 Overall)

1 Duke
16 Lehigh

8 Northern Iowa
9 Notre Dame

5 Brigham Young
12 Arizona State

4 Baylor
13 Murray State

6 Gonzaga
11 Florida

3 Pittsburgh
14 Oakland

7 Richmond
10 Oklahoma State

2 Purdue
15 Morgan State


East (#2 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Winthrop vs Jackson State

8 Missouri
9 UNLV

5 Maryland
12 Memphis

4 Temple
13 Siena

6 Texas A&M
11 St. Mary's

3 Wisconsin
14 Weber State

7 Florida State
10 Utah State

2 West Virginia
15 Vermont


South (#2 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Quinnipiac

8 Texas
9 UTEP

5 Butler
12 Georgia Tech

4 Tennessee
13 Kent State

6 Georgetown
11 San Diego State

3 Kansas State
14 Sam Houston State

7 Clemson
10 Marquette

2 Ohio State
15 North Texas

Projections for 3/5/10

Last Four In:  Georgia Tech, San Diego State, Illinois, Arizona State

Last Four Out:  Mississippi State, Connecticut, Memphis, Ole Miss

Next Four Out:  UAB, Washington, Seton Hall, Dayton


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Stony Brook

8 Florida State
9 Louisville

5 Butler
12 San Diego State

4 Tennessee
13 Siena

6 Xavier
11 Georgia Tech

3 West Virginia
14 Sam Houston State

7 Texas
10 St. Mary's

2 Ohio State
15 Coastal Carolina


West (#4 Overall)

1 Duke
16 Quinnipiac

8 Oklahoma State
9 California

5 Brigham Young
12 Illinois

4 Pittsburgh
13 Kent State

6 Georgetown
11 Florida

3 Wisconsin
14 Oakland

7 Richmond
10 Wake Forest

2 Kansas State
15 UC Santa Barbara


South (#2 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Lehigh vs Jackson State

8 UTEP
9 Northern Iowa

5 Baylor
12 Rhode Island

4 Vanderbilt
13 Arizona State

6 Gonzaga
11 Virginia Tech

3 New Mexico
14 Weber State

7 Missouri
10 Notre Dame

2 Purdue
15 North Texas


East (#3 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Jacksonville

8 UNLV
9 Marquette

5 Temple
12 Cornell

4 Maryland
13 Murray State

6 Texas A&M
11 Old Dominion

3 Michigan State
14 Wofford

7 Clemson
10 Utah State

2 Villanova
15 Morgan State

Projections for 3/1/10

Last Four In:  Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, San Diego State

Last Four Out:  Connecticut, Dayton, Minnesota, Rhode Island

Next Four Out:  Washington, Arizona State, Ole Miss, Cincinnati


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Stony Brook

8 Louisville
9 Florida State

5 Temple
12 Cornell

4 Vanderbilt
13 San Diego State

6 Gonzaga
11 Old Dominion

3 West Virginia
14 Oakland

7 Texas
10 Utah State

2 Ohio State
15 Coastal Carolina


West (#4 Overall)

1 Duke
16 Quinnipiac

8 UTEP
9 California

5 Brigham Young
12 Mississippi State

4 Pittsburgh
13 Siena

6 Georgetown
11 St. Mary's

3 Wisconsin
14 Wofford

7 Clemson
10 Florida

2 Kansas State
15 UC Santa Barbara


South (#2 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Lipscomb vs Jackson State

8 Wake Forest
9 Northern Iowa

5 Baylor
12 Illinois

4 Tennessee
13 Kent State

6 Xavier
11 Virginia Tech

3 New Mexico
14 Weber State

7 Missouri
10 Marquette

2 Purdue
15 North Texas


East (#3 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Lehigh

8 Oklahoma State
9 UNLV

5 Maryland
12 Notre Dame

4 Butler
13 Murray State

6 Texas A&M
11 UAB

3 Michigan State
14 Sam Houston State

7 Richmond
10 Georgia Tech

2 Villanova
15 Morgan State

Projections for 2/26/10

Last Four In:  Marquette, St. Mary's, Rhode Island, San Diego State

Last Four Out:  Mississippi State, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Seton Hall

Next Four Out:  Dayton, Arizona State, Minnesota, Notre Dame


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Stony Brook

8 Clemson
9 Florida

5 Pittsburgh
12 Rhode Island

4 Michigan State
13 Siena

6 Gonzaga
11 Virginia Tech

3 West Virginia
14 Sam Houston State

7 Missouri
10 Utah State

2 New Mexico
15 North Texas


West (#4 Overall)

1 Purdue
16 Jacksonville

8 UTEP
9 Georgia Tech

5 Baylor
12 Marquette

4 Brigham Young
13 Murray State

6 Richmond
11 Illinois

3 Georgetown
14 Wofford

7 Tennessee
10 California

2 Duke
15 Morgan State


East (#2 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Lehigh vs Jackson State

8 Florida State
9 Louisville

5 Temple
12 St. Mary's

4 Texas
13 San Diego State

6 Texas A&M
11 UAB

3 Ohio State
14 Oakland

7 Wake Forest
10 Northern Iowa

2 Villanova
15 Coastal Carolina


South (#3 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Robert Morris

8 UNLV
9 Oklahoma State

5 Vanderbilt
12 Cornell

4 Butler
13 Kent State

6 Maryland
11 Old Dominion

3 Wisconsin
14 Weber State

7 Xavier
10 Connecticut

2 Kansas State
15 UC Santa Barbara

Projections for 2/22/10

Last Four In:  Rhode Island, Illinois, San Diego State, Memphis

Last Four Out:  Mississippi State, Connecticut, Charlotte, South Florida

Next Four Out:  Washington, Dayton, Cincinnati, Arizona State


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Stony Brook

8 Louisville
9 Virginia Tech

5 Temple
12 San Diego State

4 Vanderbilt
13 Memphis

6 Gonzaga
11 California

3 Wisconsin
14 Sam Houston State

7 Wake Forest
10 Oklahoma State

2 West Virginia
15 Coastal Carolina


West (#4 Overall)

1 Purdue
16 Belmont

8 Florida State
9 UTEP

5 Brigham Young
12 Cornell

4 Texas
13 Kent State

6 Tennessee
11 Old Dominion

3 Pittsburgh
14 Charleston

7 Xavier
10 Utah State

2 Duke
15 North Texas


East (#2 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Lehigh vs Jackson State

8 Clemson
9 UNLV

5 Texas A&M
12 Illinois

4 Georgetown
13 Siena

6 Richmond
11 St. Mary's

3 Ohio State
14 Oakland

7 Northern Iowa
10 Georgia Tech

2 Villanova
15 Morgan State


South (#3 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Robert Morris

8 Missouri
9 UAB

5 Butler
12 Rhode Island

4 Michigan State
13 Murray State

6 Baylor
11 Florida

3 New Mexico
14 Weber State

7 Maryland
10 Marquette

2 Kansas State
15 UC Santa Barbara

Projections for 2/19/10

Last Four In:  Florida, Rhode Island, Seton Hall, San Diego State

Last Four Out:  Marquette, Ole Miss, Cincinnati, Wichita State

Next Four Out:  Charlotte, Mississippi State, Memphis, Connecticut


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Stony Brook

8 Georgia Tech
9 UTEP

5 Butler
12 Florida

4 Pittsburgh
13 Siena

6 Texas A&M
11 UNLV

3 Wisconsin
14 Oakland

7 Xavier
10 Maryland

2 West Virginia
15 Coastal Carolina


East (#4 Overall)

1 Purdue
16 Belmont

8 Oklahoma State
9 Louisville

5 Wake Forest
12 Rhode Island

4 Vanderbilt
13 Sam Houston State

6 Texas
11 California

3 New Mexico
14 Weber state

7 Richmond
10 UAB

2 Villanova
15 Morgan State


South (#2 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Lehigh vs Jackson State

8 Clemson
9 Dayton

5 Baylor
12 Utah State

4 Georgetown
13 San Diego State

6 Gonzaga
11 Old Dominion

3 Michigan State
14 Charleston

7 Missouri
10 South Florida

2 Duke
15 North Texas


West (#3 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Robert Morris

8 Virginia Tech
9 Illinois

5 Brigham Young
12 Cornell

4 Temple
13 Murray State

6 Tennessee
11 Seton Hall

3 Ohio State
14 Kent State

7 Northern Iowa
10 Florida State

2 Kansas State
15 UC Santa Barbara

Projections for 2/15/10

Last Four In:  Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, UAB, Cincinnati

Last Four Out:  Florida, Dayton, South Florida, San Diego State

Next Four Out:  Wichita State, Northwestern, Seton Hall, Washington


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Arkansas State

8 UNLV
9 California

5 Pittsburgh
12 Siena

4 Wake Forest
13 Utah State

6 Tennessee
11 Oklahoma State

3 Wisconsin
14 Oakland

7 Richmond
10 Florida State

2 West Virginia
15 Coastal Carolina


East (#4 Overall)

1 Villanova
16 Stony Brook

8 Illinois
9 Rhode Island

5 Gonzaga
12 Mississippi State

4 Texas
13 Kent State

6 Baylor
11 UTEP

3 New Mexico
14 Weber State

7 Maryland
10 Louisville

2 Purdue
15 Belmont


South (#2 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Lehigh vs Jackson State

8 Missouri
9 Georgia Tech

5 Temple
12 Cornell

4 Michigan State
13 Cincinnati

6 Butler
11 Ole Miss

3 Georgetown
14 Charleston

7 Clemson
10 Charlotte

2 Kansas State
15 UC Santa Barbara


West (#3 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Robert Morris

8 Northern Iowa
9 Virginia Tech

5 Texas A&M
12 UAB

4 Vanderbilt
13 Murray State

6 Brigham Young
11 Marquette

3 Ohio State
14 Sam Houston State

7 Xavier
10 Old Dominion

2 Duke
15 Morgan State

Projections for 2/12/10

Last Four In:  Ole Miss, Old Dominion, Mississippi State, South Florida

Last Four Out:  Charlotte, St. Mary's, Texas Tech, Cincinnati

Next Four Out:  Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Louisville, Tulsa


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Stony Brook

8 Georgia Tech
9 UAB

5 Temple
12 Old Dominion

4 Vanderbilt
13 South Florida

6 Texas A&M
11 Dayton

3 Wisconsin
14 Charleston

7 Maryland
10 Florida

2 West Virginia
15 Coastal Carolina


West (#4 Overall)

1 Villanova
16 Robert Morris

8 Clemson
9 Xavier

5 Texas
12 Mississippi State

4 Gonzaga
13 Murray State

6 Northern Iowa
11 Marquette

3 New Mexico
14 Weber State

7 Richmond
10 Florida State

2 Purdue
15 UC Santa Barbara


South (#2 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Lehigh vs Jackson State

8 Missouri
9 Rhode Island

5 Tennessee
12 UTEP

4 Michigan State
13 Northeastern

6 Pittsburgh
11 Siena

3 Kansas State
14 Sam Houston State

7 UNLV
10 Cornell

2 Duke
15 Arkansas State


East (#3 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Belmont

8 Illinois
9 California

5 Butler
12 Utah State

4 Wake Forest
13 Kent State

6 Brigham Young
11 Ole Miss

3 Ohio State
14 Oakland

7 Baylor
10 Virginia Tech

2 Georgetown
15 Morgan State

Projections for 2/8/10

Last Four In:  St. Mary's, Clemson, Marquette, Wichita State

Last Four Out:  Dayton, VCU, Texas Tech, Virginia

Next Four Out:  Oklahoma State, Old Dominion, Notre Dame, Washington


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Stony Brook

8 Rhode Island
9 Illinois

5 Wake Forest
12 Marquette

4 Tennessee
13 Northeastern

6 Northern Iowa
11 Clemson

3 Michigan State
14 Sam Houston State

7 Baylor
10 Ole Miss

2 Georgetown
15 Morgan State


West (#4 Overall)

1 Villanova
16 Robert Morris

8 Florida
9 Xavier

5 Butler
12 Wichita State

4 Gonzaga
13 Utah State

6 Brigham Young
11 Louisville

3 Kansas State
14 Pacific

7 Georgia Tech
10 UAB

2 Purdue
15 Coastal Carolina


South (#2 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Lehigh vs Jackson State

8 Florida State
9 Richmond

5 Vanderbilt
12 UTEP

4 Texas
13 Kent State

6 UNLV
11 Siena

3 Ohio State
14 Oakland

7 Pittsburgh
10 Cornell

2 Duke
15 Weber State


East (#3 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Belmont

8 Missouri
9 Virginia Tech

5 Temple
12 St. Mary's

4 New Mexico
13 Murray State

6 Texas A&M
11 California

3 Wisconsin
14 Charleston

7 Maryland
10 Charlotte

2 West Virginia
15 Arkansas State

Projections for 2/5/10

Last Four In:  Louisville, Charlotte, St. Mary's, Virginia Tech

Last Four Out:  Marquette, Virginia, Northwestern, Mississippi State

Next Four Out:  Wichita State, California, Minnesota, South Florida


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Stony Brook

8 Florida
9 UNLV

5 Gonzaga
12 Utah State

4 Ohio State
13 Kent State

6 Northern Iowa
11 Illinois

3 Georgetown
14 Charleston

7 Texas A&M
10 Richmond

2 Duke
15 Morgan State


West (#4 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Jacksonville

8 Clemson
9 Oklahoma State

5 Brigham Young
12 St. Mary's

4 Temple
13 Murray State

6 Baylor
11 Siena

3 Wisconsin
14 Oakland

7 Maryland
10 UAB

2 West Virginia
15 Coastal Carolina


South (#2 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Lehigh vs Jackson State

8 Missouri
9 Florida State

5 Tennessee
12 UTEP

4 New Mexico
13 Arizona

6 Georgia Tech
11 Louisville

3 Michigan State
14 Pacific

7 Xavier
10 Old Dominion

2 Texas
15 Arkansas State


East (#3 Overall)

1 Villanova
16 Robert Morris

8 Rhode Island
9 Cornell

5 Butler
12 Virginia Tech

4 Vanderbilt
13 Northeastern

6 Wake Forest
11 Charlotte

3 Kansas State
14 Sam Houston State

7 Pittsburgh
10 Ole Miss

2 Purdue
15 Weber State


Also Considered:  North Carolina, Miami (FL), Connecticut, Cincinnati, Seton Hall, Notre Dame, Texas Tech, Washington, Arizona State, South Carolina, Tulsa, Memphis, Dayton, San Diego State, Virginia Commonwealth

Projections for 2/1/10

Last Four In:  California, North Carolina, Mississippi State, Old Dominion

Last Four Out:  St. Mary's, Louisville, Charlotte, Wichita State

Next Four Out:  Virginia, Virginia Tech, Connecticut, Marquette


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Stony Brook

8 Rhode Island
9 UNLV

5 Georgia Tech
12 UTEP

4 Vanderbilt
13 Murray State

6 Butler
11 North Carolina

3 Wisconsin
14 Sam Houston State

7 Baylor
10 Cornell

2 West Virginia
15 Coastal Carolina


West (#4 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Jacksonville

8 Oklahoma State
9 Clemson

5 Brigham Young
12 Old Dominion

4 Ohio State
13 Kent State

6 Wake Forest
11 Illinois

3 Kansas State
14 Pacific

7 Xavier
10 Florida

2 Georgetown
15 Morgan State


South (#2 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Lehigh vs Jackson State

8 Ole Miss
9 Texas A&M

5 Gonzaga
12 Arizona

4 New Mexico
13 Utah State

6 Pittsburgh
11 Mississippi State

3 Purdue
14 Oakland

7 Florida State
10 Richmond

2 Texas
15 Arkansas State


East (#3 Overall)

1 Villanova
16 Robert Morris

8 UAB
9 Maryland

5 Tennessee
12 Siena

4 Temple
13 George Mason

6 Northern Iowa
11 California

3 Duke
14 Charleston

7 Missouri
10 Cincinnati

2 Michigan State
15 Weber State

Breaking Down the Conferences: Big Ten

Looking Good

Michigan State (18-3, 8-0 Big 10)- Thanks to some last-minute heroics, Michigan State is off to their best conference start in school history.  The remaining schedule is a bit difficult; they still have to travel to Madison and West Lafayette, but the Spartans look to be in good shape to win another Big 10 title.

Wisconsin (16-4, 6-2 Big 10)- With wins over Duke, Purdue, and Ohio State already under their belt, Wisconsin is in position to get a Top 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.  Their next two games (@Purdue, Michigan State) are a doozy, but the Badgers have a remarkably easy schedule after that, with the most difficult game being @Minnesota.

Purdue (16-3, 4-3 Big 10)- The Boilermakers appear to have righted the ship after that three game losing skid.  They still have to play Michigan State twice and travel to Columbus, but outside of that Purdue should have little trouble finishing with 11+ conference wins.

Ohio State (15-6, 5-3 Big 10)- The Buckeyes will receive a bit slack from the committee for their midseason slump.  Now that Evan Turner has returned from his back injury, the Buckeyes are 4-1 in their last five games, including wins over Purdue and Wisconsin.  The remaining schedule is very favorable, with 6 of their last 10 games at home and the only difficult road game being against Michigan State.  Overall, Ohio State could easily end up being a Top 4 seed when the season is over.


Work to Do

Northwestern (14-6, 3-5 Big 10)- Despite the rough start to conference play, I really like Northwestern's chances to make the tournament.  8 of their last 10 games are Iowa x2, Indiana x2, Penn State x2, and  home games against Michigan and Minnesota.  The only 2 difficult games left are @Michigan State and @Wisconsin.  The Wildcats have a marquee win over Purdue and have shown they can win away from home with road/neutral victories against Notre Dame, Iowa State, NC State, and Michigan.  As long as they get to 10 conference wins (very doable against that schedule), Northwestern will be in the field on Selection Sunday.

Minnesota (13-7, 4-4 Big 10)- Unlike Northwestern, the Gophers don't have a signature win to fall back on, have only a 2-6 road/neutral record, and have not-so-good losses against Portland and Miami.  Fortunately, there's still time for Minnesota to get a signature win, as they have home games left against Wisconsin and Purdue and a road game @Ohio State.  Winning @Northwestern on Valentine's Day would go a long way towards putting them in the field, as it would give them a season sweep of the Wildcats.

Illinois (13-8, 5-3 Big 10)- Illinois has a nice conference record, but those wins came against Penn State x2, @Indiana, Iowa, and home against Northwestern.  The Illini have nice wins against Clemson and Vanderbilt, but that isn't enough to offset bad losses against Utah, Bradley, and Georgia.  Illinois will likely be 7-3 in conference play at this time next week, but then they enter the murderer's row part of the schedule (Wisconsin twice, Ohio State twice, @Purdue, @Michigan, Michigan State, and Minnesota).  With only an 8-5 nonconference record, Illinois will have to go 4-4 in those last 8 games to feel good about their chances.  3-5 puts them squarely on the bubble, and anything less sends them to the NIT.

Breaking Down the Conferences: ACC

Now that January is coming to a close and the conferences races are taking shape, this is a good time to start looking at potential tournament teams and what they need to accomplish the rest of the way to get an at-large bid.


Looking Good

Duke- despite the setback at NC State, Duke is still the clear favorite to win the ACC regular season.  The Blue Devils still have to play UNC and Maryland twice, but as long as they hold serve at home and beat the teams they should on the road, Duke should end up being a top 3 seed.

Wake Forest- the Demon Deacons are 14-4 (4-2 in the ACC) with road wins over Gonzaga and UNC and home wins over Xavier, Richmond, Maryland, and Virginia.  With home games remaining against Miami, Boston College, UNC, and Clemson and road games against Virginia and NC State, Wake should have little trouble finishing with 10+ conference wins.

Georgia Tech- losing to Georgia and getting swept by Florida State certainly hurts, but the Yellow Jackets already have wins over Siena, Duke, North Carolina, and Clemson.  With those big wins, Georgia Tech will make dance as long as they finish 8-8 or better in conference.

Clemson- the Tigers are far from a lock at this point since Butler and UNC are their only quality wins, but they have a favorable schedule the rest of the way and should have little trouble finishing with 9+ conference wins.

Florida State- the Seminoles are 15-4 (3-2 in the ACC) and have already swept Georgia Tech.  A 9-7 conference record should clinch a bid for them, and that seems probable with 2 games each against Boston College and Miami, road games against Virginia and UNC, and home games against Maryland, Clemson, and Wake Forest still on the schedule.


Work to Do

Maryland- the Terps are off to a good start in ACC play, but they have yet to play the toughest part of their schedule.  They still have to play Duke, Clemson, and Virginia twice, and they also have road games against Florida State, NC State, and Virginia Tech.  Maryland made the NCAAs with a 7-9 conference record last year because they had big wins against Michigan State, North Carolina, and Wake Forest to fall back on.  That isn't the case this year and anything less than 9-7 will likely send them to the NIT.

North Carolina- UNC is off to a disastrous start in conference play, losing at home to Georgia Tech and Wake Forest en route to a 1-3 record.  I would say it's just a bad stretch and things will get better, but the remaining schedule isn't any easier.  UNC still has road games against NC State, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and Duke, and home games against Duke and Florida State.  The Tar Heels better win their two games this week (@NC State, Virginia) or they are going to be in a world of trouble against that back-loaded schedule.

Virginia Tech- the Hokies have a gaudy 15-3 record, but that means little at this point since their best win is Seton Hall.  Their next 4 games (@Virginia, @Miami, UNC, Clemson) will be very telling as to whether or not they can compete for an NCAA bid this year.  Va Tech caught a bit of a bad break in scheduling, as they only play Duke and Georgia Tech once, both on the road.

Virginia- Virginia is off to a surprisingly good start, but the question is whether or not they will be able to sustain it for a whole season in conference play.  The Cavaliers got a bit lucky in the scheduling, as they play Virginia Tech, NC State, Maryland, Wake Forest and Miami twice, and only get Duke, Georgia Tech, and Florida State once, all at home.

Projections for 1/25/10

Last Four In:  Arizona State, Richmond, Tulsa, Rhode Island

Last Four Out:  Wichita State, William & Mary, Virginia Tech, Dayton

Next Four Out:  Illinois, Virginia, Louisville, Minnesota


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Quinnipiac vs. Texas Southern

8 Connecticut
9 Baylor

5 Ohio State
12 Tulsa

4 Temple
13 Murray State

6 New Mexico
11 Northwestern

3 Georgetown
14 Weber State

7 Clemson
10 Florida

2 Kansas State
15 Arkansas State


East (#4 Overall)

1 Villanova
16 Lehigh

8 Missouri
9 Xavier

5 Wake Forest
12 Arizona State

4 Purdue
13 Charleston

6 Vanderbilt
11 Cincinnati

3 Brigham Young
14 Pacific

7 Northern Iowa
10 North Carolina

2 Texas
15 Coastal Carolina


South (#2 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Central Michigan

8 Texas A&M
9 Maryland

5 Butler
12 Richmond

4 Tennessee
13 Louisiana Tech

6 UAB
11 Old Dominion

3 Wisconsin
14 Oakland

7 Ole Miss
10 California

2 Duke
15 Morgan State


West (#3 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Campbell

8 Florida State
9 UNLV

5 Pittsburgh
12 Siena

4 Gonzaga
13 Rhode Island

6 Georgia Tech
11 Cornell

3 West Virginia
14 Sam Houston State

7 Mississippi State
10 Oklahoma State

2 Michigan State
15 Maine


Also Considered:  Miami (FL), NC State, Notre Dame, Marquette, St. John's, Seton Hall, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Washington, Washington State, South Carolina, Alabama, UTEP, Memphis, Marshall, Charlotte, San Diego State, St. Mary's, Harvard

Projections for 1/18/10

Last Four In:  Cincinnati, Illinois, Dayton, Old Dominion

Last Four Out:  Maryland, Rhode Island, Wichita State, Florida

Next Four Out:  St. Mary's, Louisville, California, Oklahoma State


South (#1 Overall)

1 Texas
16 Campbell

8 North Carolina
9 UNLV

5 Temple
12 Siena

4 Georgetown
13 Western Kentucky

6 Vanderbilt
11 Cornell

3 West Virginia
14 Charleston

7 Ole Miss
10 Florida State

2 Michigan State
15 Weber State


West (#4 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Lafayette

8 William & Mary
9 Missouri

5 Ohio State
12 Dayton

4 Gonzaga
13 Louisiana Tech

6 Northern Iowa
11 Minnesota

3 Brigham Young
14 Oakland

7 Texas A&M
10 Connecticut

2 Duke
15 Sam Houston State


Midwest (#2 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Quinnipiac vs Jackson State

8 Washington
9 Baylor

5 Purdue
12 Xavier

4 Clemson
13 Old Dominion

6 New Mexico
11 Virginia

3 Pittsburgh
14 Coastal Carolina

7 Mississippi State
10 Northwestern

2 Kansas State
15 Pacific


East (#3 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Morgan State

8 Wake Forest
9 Arizona State

5 Butler
12 Cincinnati

4 Wisconsin
13 Murray State

6 Georgia Tech
11 Illinois

3 Tennessee
14 Buffalo

7 UAB
10 Richmond

2 Villanova
15 Vermont


Also Considered:  Miami (FL), Virginia Tech, NC State, St. John's, Notre Dame, Marquette, Seton Hall, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Washington State, South Carolina, Alabama, San Diego State, Charlotte, VCU, Marshall, Tulsa, Memphis, UTEP, Illinois State, Western Carolina, Harvard

Projections for 1/11/10

Last Four In:  Northwestern, Notre Dame, Wichita State, Louisville

Last Four Out:  Florida, Maryland, Richmond, Cincinnati

Next Four Out:  Illinois, Rhode Island, Texas Tech, Old Dominion


South (#1 Overall)

1 Texas
16 Morgan State

8 Minnesota
9 UAB

5 Georgia Tech
12 Wichita State

4 West Virginia
13 Siena

6 Connecticut
11 California

3 Tennessee
14 Coastal Carolina

7 Baylor
10 Florida State

2 Michigan State
15 Vermont


West (#4 Overall)

1 Syracuse
16 Lafayette

8 Vanderbilt
9 Miami (FL)

5 Butler
12 Northwestern

4 Brigham Young
13 Western Kentucky

6 Clemson
11 St. Mary's

3 Kansas State
14 Charleston

7 Pittsburgh
10 Dayton

2 Purdue
15 UC Santa Barbara


Midwest (#2 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Long Island vs Jackson State

8 New Mexico
9 Wake Forest

5 Texas A&M
12 Notre Dame

4 Gonzaga
13 Murray State

6 Northern Iowa
11 Oklahoma State

3 Georgetown
14 Akron

7 Mississippi State
10 Ohio State

2 Duke
15 Sam Houston State


East (#3 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Belmont

8 William & Mary
9 Washington

5 Temple
12 Louisville

4 North Carolina
13 Louisiana Tech

6 Ole Miss
11 Cornell

3 Wisconsin
14 Northern Colorado

7 UNLV
10 Missouri

2 Villanova
15 Oakland


Also Considered:  Virginia Tech, NC State, Marquette, St. John's, Seton Hall, Michigan, Washington State, Arizona State, Oregon, South Carolina, Alabama, UTEP, Memphis, Tulsa, Xavier, San Diego State, Illinois State, Harvard

Projections for 1/4/10

Last Four In:  St. Mary's, Baylor, Rhode Island, Virginia Tech

Last Four Out:  VCU, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Memphis

Next Four Out:  Wichita State, Missouri, Missouri State, Louisville


Midwest (#1 Overall)

1 Kansas
16 Campbell

8 Cincinnati
9 Florida State

5 Tennessee
12 Rhode Island

4 Gonzaga
13 Western Kentucky

6 Butler
11 Cornell

3 Michigan State
14 Coastal Carolina

7 Wake Forest
10 Florida

2 West Virginia
15 Vermont


West (#4 Overall)

1 Purdue
16 Army

8 Dayton
9 Mississippi State

5 Washington
12 Miami (FL)

4 New Mexico
13 Louisiana Tech

6 Clemson
11 Vanderbilt

3 Kansas State
14 Pacific

7 Northern Iowa
10 UAB

2 Villanova
15 Oakland


South (#2 Overall)

1 Texas
16 Morgan State

8 William & Mary
9 Minnesota

5 Connecticut
12 Virginia Tech

4 Ole Miss
13 Western Carolina

6 Temple
11 Baylor

3 North Carolina
14 Murray State

7 UNLV
10 California

2 Syracuse
15 Sam Houston State


East (#3 Overall)

1 Kentucky
16 Robert Morris vs Jackson State

8 Georgia Tech
9 Texas Tech

5 Brigham Young
12 Pittsburgh

4 Wisconsin
13 Siena

6 Texas A&M
11 St. Mary's

3 Georgetown
14 Akron

7 Ohio State
10 Richmond

2 Duke
15 Weber State