Bandit's 2006 NCAA Bid Spec Sheet
Picks as of 2/27-Down the stretch they come!!!
A wild weekend that still hasn't cleared up much, other than a couple of teams that are on the Hopin List that did themselves no favors. Next week the list goes from Ins to Locks and Hopin and Wishin' to Work To Do and an added category Win It to Get In it. Those teams that may only get an at large berth with multiple conference tourney wins.
Atlantic Coast
In Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Hopin' and Wishin' Virginia, Florida State
Bandit Sez: Despite what the ACC apologists tell you this league only gets four in until further notice. Florida State may have blew its chance with an ill-timed road loss to a beatable Va. Tech squad. If the Noles can do the impossible and beat Duke their chances get better, but thats a tall order. A deep run in the ACC tourney may be needed. Virginia is in as big a trouble after getting a woodshed at Clemson. They are fallingdangerously close to the must win it to get in stage
Atlantic 10 In George Washington Hopin' And Wishin' Charlotte Bandit Sez: The Colonials looked okay in their first game without Pops Mensah-Bonsu. But that long steady beep you hear coming from Charlotte is their weak chances going almost totally dead with a galling home loss to Saint Louis.
Big 12 In Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas
Hoping and Wishin' Nebraska, Texas A&M
KJ Sez: A&M is still in need of a signature win to impress the selection committee, and look who's coming to College Station: A red-hot Texas team. If Aggies win this, I might move them in.
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Cincy
Hopin' and Wishin' Seton Hall, Syracuse
Bandit Sez: Syracuse is still in decent shape despite getting thumped by inbound G'Town squad. Seton Hall is in deep doo-doo, despite the upset of West Va. 4 losses bracketing that win is covering up that achievement. A hungry Cincy comes a-callin' Tuesday and may spell the end of their bubble hopes.
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Hopin' and Wishin' Indiana,. Minnesota
Bandit Sez: The Hooisers are turning into the college basketball version of Jason, the team that won't die. A senior day stunna over Michigan State gives them life but they must win out and steal at least 1 win in the Big 10 tourney to get a shot. The Gophers are in need of a miracle run of their own to get in.
C-USA
In Memphis
Hopin' and Wishin' UAB, UTEP Bandit Sez: UAB is looking to a do-or die home showdown with Memphis to secure an at large bid. If they don't get the W, they may need to win the C-USA tourney title to get in. This fate has already been assigned to UTEP
Colonial
In George Mason, Hofstra
Hopin' and Wishin UNC-Wilmington, Old Dominion
KJ Sez: George Mason is safe, Hofstra roared down the stretch but they and UNC-Wilmington may need to at least get to the Colonial Finals. ODU still needs to win it.
Mountain West Lock San Diego State, Hopin' and Wishin' Air Force, BYU Bandit Sez: SDSU is safe, Air Force needs to finish out strong to get the selection committee to ignore its woeful Strength of Schedule. BYU may have to get to the MWC finals to get a serious look.
Mid-American
In Akron, Kent St Hopin' and Wishin' Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Miami blew its chance to make a statement and will have to win out any slipups and they are done. NIU faces the same fate.
Missouri Valley
In Wichita State, Missouri State, Creighton
Hopin' And Wishin' Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois
Bandit Sez: The Shockers and Bears are pretty safe and the Blue Jays are in decent shape. Northern Iowa is in deep trouble and the Salukis are fighting for their lives. The tourney will put one of the H&W teams out.
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, Washington, Arizona
Hopin' and Wishin' Stanford, USC
KJ Sez: UCLA is marking time till selection sunday, Washington and Cal are just jockeying for position and Arizona is in for sure. Stanford simply put must win out and get to the Pac-10 finals. USC is in the same boat. Stanford and SC tussle Thursday in what could very well be a game for another NCAA bid.
Patriot
In Bucknell
Hopin' and Wishin' Lehigh, Holy Cross
KJ Sez: Bucknell finished a perfect Patriot League season and all Lehigh and Holy Cross can hope to do is knock the Bison off in the Patriot League tourney which is in Lewisburg. Good Luck
SEC
In Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama, Arkansas
Hopin and Wishin'UK
KJt Sez: Sorry Don, but UK losing at LSU gives the Wildcats one less opportunity to prove their tourney worthiness. Yes, the Razorbacks have been moved to In status. If UK can do what the Hogs have already done; Beat Florida at home and go to Knoxville and beat the Vols, they will move to in status as well.
WAC
In Nevada
Hopin' and Wishin' Utah State, New Mexico State
KJ Sez: Nevada held off Utah State and barring an epic collapse are in good shape. Utah State and New Mexico State need to run the table
West Coast
In Gonzaga
KJ Sez: A home win over USF tonight gives the Bulldogs a perfect conference run. Gonzaga has not lost at all in 2006 calendar year.
1 bid conferences:
Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no others from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC
This list is under the provision that no are wild card/cinderellas in their respective tourneys. That won’t happen right?
Monday, February 27, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
Spec Sheet 2/24
KJ's 2006 NCAA Bid Spec Sheet
Picks as of 2/24-Sixteen days till Selection Sunday!!!
The info is brief today, but more spec will be here on Monday. Conference tourneys begin next week as well which will step up the chase.
Atlantic Coast In Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Hoping and Wishin' Virginia, Florida State
KJ Sez: Virginia is making its case to get in by routing a tourney bound BC squad, Florida State keeps it faint hopes alive by deep-sixing the Terps' chances. The North Carolina based schools are just marking time till March.
Atlantic 10
In George Washington
Hopin' And Wishin' Charlotte
KJ Sez- Pops Mensah-Bonsu's knee injury hurts the Colonials #2 seed chances especially if they go into a tailspin. A berth isn't in doubt but falling into a 4 or 5 seed is. No one wants to get in the dangerous 4-13 or 5-12 trap matchups. The Niners have blown every chance they've had to make tourney worthniness statement, the loss to Wake Forest is especially galling.
Big 12
In Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas
Hoping and Wishin' Nebraska, Texas A&M
KJ Sez:Four in and thats all. Kansas hitting the 20 win plateau locks them in. A saturday showdown between A&M and Nebraska may be for another berth...but the winner must still run the table to get a serious look. and neither team has a marquee win though the Huskers whipping of Colorado got them some notice.
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Cincy
Hopin' and Wishin' Seton Hall, Syracuse
KJ Sez: 9 teams in? That may be a bit too many, The 'Cuse is getting close to getting back in. Cincy's heroic effort against 'Nova gets them even closer to lock and beating Seton Hall might put the Pirates out as well.
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Hopin' and Wishin' Indiana
KJ Sez: No real status changes here, Indiana righted its ship, but still needs a miracle. Wisconsin's loss to Northwestern may hurt their seeding but they are safe.
C-USA
In Memphis
Hopin' and Wishin' UAB, UTEP
KJ Sez: UTEP blew its best chance to make a stronger case by getting smashed at Memphis, neither they nor UAB deserve anything beyond a home NIT game.
Colonial
In George Mason, Hofstra
Hopin' and Wishin UNC-Wilmington, Old Dominion
KJ Sez: Look whos on the In-side now. Hofstra thumped a ranked George Mason squad and announced to the world that they will have to be dealt with come tourney time. UNCW still can make a case but needs to win and now and don't look now but a hard-chargin' Monarchs squad looks to be an intrigung dark horse
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State,
Hopin' and Wishin' Air Force, BYU
KJ Sez: Its still SDSU's berth to lose, Air Force is still hanging around and BYU is pleading for some props. UNLV??? Are they still in this discussion???
Mid-American
In Akron, Kent St
Hopin' and Wishin' Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: No real changes here either. Miami may still have to win it to get in it.
Missouri Valley In Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Creighton, Southern Illinois
Hopin' And Wishin' Missouri State
KJ Sez: Five bids for this conference make the so-called big boy conference apologists (that means you Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas and Billy Packer)weep and gnash their teeth. I'll give 'em four but five may be too much. The conference tourney will undoubtedly leave one of these five good teams on the outside looking in.
Pac-10 In UCLA, Cal, Washington, Arizona
Hopin' and Wishin' Stanford, USC
KJ Sez: UCLA is marking time till selection sunday, Cal held off a tough Washington State team and solidified its standing. U-Dub is in and Arizona is close enough to taste it. Stanford and Southern Cal both need prayer.
Patriot
In Bucknell
Hopin' and Wishin' Lehigh
Bandit Sez: The Bison are still the team to beat here. Lehigh may have blown its chances by getting spanked at Bucknell
SEC
In Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama
Hopin and Wishin'UK, Arkansas,
KJ Sez: UK preps for a pair of showdowns the blowout home win over Ole Miss proves nothing, Vandy is gone and Arkansas may have made its tourney case with a thriller against 'Bama
WAC
In Nevada
Hopin' and Wishin' Louisiana Tech, Utah State
KJ Sez: Nevada is still in front, but an 20 win Aggie team is coming on strong. They have a Saturday Night showdown in Logan with Nevada for control of the conference and a possible top seed in the WAC tourney, which could hinge a bid for Utah State.
West Coast
In Gonzaga
KJ Sez: Gonzaga continues to mark time and isn't worried about going but getting a #2 seed.
1 bid conferences: Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no others from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC
This list is under the provision that no are wild card/cinderellas in their respective tourneys. That won’t happen right?
Picks as of 2/24-Sixteen days till Selection Sunday!!!
The info is brief today, but more spec will be here on Monday. Conference tourneys begin next week as well which will step up the chase.
Atlantic Coast In Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Hoping and Wishin' Virginia, Florida State
KJ Sez: Virginia is making its case to get in by routing a tourney bound BC squad, Florida State keeps it faint hopes alive by deep-sixing the Terps' chances. The North Carolina based schools are just marking time till March.
Atlantic 10
In George Washington
Hopin' And Wishin' Charlotte
KJ Sez- Pops Mensah-Bonsu's knee injury hurts the Colonials #2 seed chances especially if they go into a tailspin. A berth isn't in doubt but falling into a 4 or 5 seed is. No one wants to get in the dangerous 4-13 or 5-12 trap matchups. The Niners have blown every chance they've had to make tourney worthniness statement, the loss to Wake Forest is especially galling.
Big 12
In Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas
Hoping and Wishin' Nebraska, Texas A&M
KJ Sez:Four in and thats all. Kansas hitting the 20 win plateau locks them in. A saturday showdown between A&M and Nebraska may be for another berth...but the winner must still run the table to get a serious look. and neither team has a marquee win though the Huskers whipping of Colorado got them some notice.
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Cincy
Hopin' and Wishin' Seton Hall, Syracuse
KJ Sez: 9 teams in? That may be a bit too many, The 'Cuse is getting close to getting back in. Cincy's heroic effort against 'Nova gets them even closer to lock and beating Seton Hall might put the Pirates out as well.
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Hopin' and Wishin' Indiana
KJ Sez: No real status changes here, Indiana righted its ship, but still needs a miracle. Wisconsin's loss to Northwestern may hurt their seeding but they are safe.
C-USA
In Memphis
Hopin' and Wishin' UAB, UTEP
KJ Sez: UTEP blew its best chance to make a stronger case by getting smashed at Memphis, neither they nor UAB deserve anything beyond a home NIT game.
Colonial
In George Mason, Hofstra
Hopin' and Wishin UNC-Wilmington, Old Dominion
KJ Sez: Look whos on the In-side now. Hofstra thumped a ranked George Mason squad and announced to the world that they will have to be dealt with come tourney time. UNCW still can make a case but needs to win and now and don't look now but a hard-chargin' Monarchs squad looks to be an intrigung dark horse
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State,
Hopin' and Wishin' Air Force, BYU
KJ Sez: Its still SDSU's berth to lose, Air Force is still hanging around and BYU is pleading for some props. UNLV??? Are they still in this discussion???
Mid-American
In Akron, Kent St
Hopin' and Wishin' Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: No real changes here either. Miami may still have to win it to get in it.
Missouri Valley In Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Creighton, Southern Illinois
Hopin' And Wishin' Missouri State
KJ Sez: Five bids for this conference make the so-called big boy conference apologists (that means you Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas and Billy Packer)weep and gnash their teeth. I'll give 'em four but five may be too much. The conference tourney will undoubtedly leave one of these five good teams on the outside looking in.
Pac-10 In UCLA, Cal, Washington, Arizona
Hopin' and Wishin' Stanford, USC
KJ Sez: UCLA is marking time till selection sunday, Cal held off a tough Washington State team and solidified its standing. U-Dub is in and Arizona is close enough to taste it. Stanford and Southern Cal both need prayer.
Patriot
In Bucknell
Hopin' and Wishin' Lehigh
Bandit Sez: The Bison are still the team to beat here. Lehigh may have blown its chances by getting spanked at Bucknell
SEC
In Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama
Hopin and Wishin'UK, Arkansas,
KJ Sez: UK preps for a pair of showdowns the blowout home win over Ole Miss proves nothing, Vandy is gone and Arkansas may have made its tourney case with a thriller against 'Bama
WAC
In Nevada
Hopin' and Wishin' Louisiana Tech, Utah State
KJ Sez: Nevada is still in front, but an 20 win Aggie team is coming on strong. They have a Saturday Night showdown in Logan with Nevada for control of the conference and a possible top seed in the WAC tourney, which could hinge a bid for Utah State.
West Coast
In Gonzaga
KJ Sez: Gonzaga continues to mark time and isn't worried about going but getting a #2 seed.
1 bid conferences: Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no others from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC
This list is under the provision that no are wild card/cinderellas in their respective tourneys. That won’t happen right?
Monday, February 20, 2006
KJ's 2006 NCAA Bid Spec Sheet
Picks as of 2/20-Twenty days till Selection Sunday!!!
I've added a few front runners of the smaller conferences. With it being a down year for the so-called power conferences, look for a few of the little guys to stand tall and make a credible case for their tournament legitimacy. You already know how I feel about the MVC, they are getting four teams in. Bracket Buster Saturday featured many of these alleged smaller conference teams and added some luster to their tourney resumes. The big boys wouldn't dare get on the same court with these wildcard teams if they aren't forced to do so in March, so many of the top teams in the lesser known conferences play each other in high-stakes, late season non-conference matchups. I love this time of the year...don't you???
Atlantic Coast
In Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Hoping and Wishin' Maryland, Virginia
KJ Sez- ,Miami is off the list totally with the loss to BC and Duke next on the docket, they're done
Atlantic 10
In George Washington
KJ Sez- G-Dub keeps on winning and making it harder to overlook them for a #2 seed.
Big 12
In Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas
Hoping and Wishin' Nebraska, Texas A&M
KJ Sez: No one now should question my pick of Colorado getting in after they thumped Oklahoma. Iowa State is off the list unless they run the table and games at Oklahoma and Colorado in a two weeks all but make that an impossibilty.
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Cincy
Hopin' and Wishin' Seton Hall, Syracuse
KJ Sez: Don't read anything into the loss by UConn, Syracuse hurt its chances as much as the Cats helped theirs in the lopsided loss at home. Cincy is solidifying their tourney resume with their wins. Seton Hall might make its tourney case with a strong finish but a resuregent Cincy team is on their docket. Louisville is off the list totally, the only way Pitino and his Cards are going to any tourney now is if they buy tickets. That might even include the Big East tourney
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Hopin' and Wishin' Indiana
KJ Sez: Mike Davis' resignation all but seals the Hoosiers fate. This team deserves a much better fate and the blowout loss to Illinois pretty much much ends their season. Michigan is rapidly falling to the Hopin' stage, with a host of bad losses. How fast has the worm turned? A week ago they were in the top 25 and looking strong but then a blowout loss to Iowa, a shootout loss to O-State and a stunning trip back 'o the woodshed by cellar dwelling Purdue has hurt their chances. Beating Minnesota stopped the bleeding but the road gets no easier with three ranked teams in a row.
C-USA
In Memphis
Hopin' and Wishin' UAB, UTEP
KJ Sez: No real changes here as Tigers are the class of the revamped C-USA and are in line for a number 1 seed. , Blazers and Miners still have work to do.
Colonial
In George Mason
Hopin' and Wishin UNC-Wilmington Hofstra
KJ Sez: George Mason leads the pack and has the 20 win credentials and the solid rpi (26) to boot, the bigger problem for an auto bid for them lies in their conference tourney where UNC-Wilmington and Hofstra are in hot pursuit with UNCW at the 20 win mark themselves. Nevertheless Colonials are about as close to bulletproof as one can get and look to be in regardless of their tourney showing
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State
Hopin' and Wishin' Air Force, UNLV
KJ Sez: SDSU is looking solid, while Air Force has hit 20 wins....so what, but the more they win the harder they'll make it for the selection committee to turn them down. UNLV faces a make or break game vs SDSU and if they lose, forget it.
Mid-American I
n Akron, Kent St
Hopin' and Wishin' Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Miami and Northern Illinois may need to run the table and get some help. The Zips and Golden Flashes are eyeing each other warily and may just meet next month with a tourneyy bid on the line in the conference championship game.
Missouri Valley
In Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Creighton, Southern Illinois
Hopin' And Wishin' Missouri State
KJ Sez: That wasn't a misprint in Joe Lunardi's column about Missouri State being one of the last four out. At 10-6 in conference, they sit in fifth and could make the top four sweat. Did you catch that Crieghton-Wichta State thriller Tuesday? That is a preview of the entire conference tourney. Northern Iowa's thriller against a tourney bound Bucknell team makes them look even better. This is a no joke conference, the names might not be household but this scribe will take their thrilling play over the blueblood ACC or the at times ho-hum Big 10
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, USC, Washington, Arizona
Hopin' and Wishin' Stanford
KJ Sez: UCLA is the only team not worrying, despite losing to Southern Cal . Cal is getting close to that stage as well. Arizona and Washington would like to pass Stanford in the Pac 10 standings and make their tourney case stronger, but I think they are both in. Arizona has sent the Cardinal out to pasture for good by beating them Sunday in Palo Alto. Despite being a half game behind the Wildcats will get in unless they bomb out in the Pac-10 tourney.
Patriot
In Bucknell
Hopin' and Wishin' Lehigh
KJ sez:Bucknell???? Oh yes space cadets, they have gotten on the list as a top 25 team, even though they lost to Northern Iowa and should the unthinkable happen (not likely since the Bison should be hosting any and all Patriot Conference tourney games) they should still get an invite. Lehigh is the only team that could do that as they gave Bucknell all they could handle. But the Bison are a team that could not only get in but could send some big-boy teams home early.
SEC
In Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama
Hopin and Wishin'UK, Arkansas, Vanderbilt
KJ Sez: UK is by no means out of the woods, beating bottom feeders South Carolina and Ole Miss will do nothing to impress the selection committee. Their fate will most likely rest with three game season ending gauntlet At LSU and Tennessee and the home finale against Florida. Tubba's crew are getting dangerously close to run the tablesville to get in the tourney. Arkansas is already there with an ill-timed loss to Ole Miss and uh-oh is that Florida on deck?
WAC In Nevada
Hopin' and Wishin' Louisiana Tech
KJ Sez: Nevada leads and should be the one, but keep an eye on a rowdy Louisiana Tech squad who rolled into Southern Illinois and shocked the Salukis on Saturday. The Bulldogs should be the #2 seed in the WAC tourney. If they get the auto berth, the Wolfpack might sweat but they should get in.
West Coast
In Gonzaga
KJ Sez: Gonzaga continues to mark time and isn't worried about going but getting a #2 seed.
1 bid conferences: Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no others from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC,.
This list is under the provision that no are wild card/cinderellas in their respective tourneys. That won’t happen right?
Picks as of 2/20-Twenty days till Selection Sunday!!!
I've added a few front runners of the smaller conferences. With it being a down year for the so-called power conferences, look for a few of the little guys to stand tall and make a credible case for their tournament legitimacy. You already know how I feel about the MVC, they are getting four teams in. Bracket Buster Saturday featured many of these alleged smaller conference teams and added some luster to their tourney resumes. The big boys wouldn't dare get on the same court with these wildcard teams if they aren't forced to do so in March, so many of the top teams in the lesser known conferences play each other in high-stakes, late season non-conference matchups. I love this time of the year...don't you???
Atlantic Coast
In Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Hoping and Wishin' Maryland, Virginia
KJ Sez- ,Miami is off the list totally with the loss to BC and Duke next on the docket, they're done
Atlantic 10
In George Washington
KJ Sez- G-Dub keeps on winning and making it harder to overlook them for a #2 seed.
Big 12
In Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas
Hoping and Wishin' Nebraska, Texas A&M
KJ Sez: No one now should question my pick of Colorado getting in after they thumped Oklahoma. Iowa State is off the list unless they run the table and games at Oklahoma and Colorado in a two weeks all but make that an impossibilty.
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Cincy
Hopin' and Wishin' Seton Hall, Syracuse
KJ Sez: Don't read anything into the loss by UConn, Syracuse hurt its chances as much as the Cats helped theirs in the lopsided loss at home. Cincy is solidifying their tourney resume with their wins. Seton Hall might make its tourney case with a strong finish but a resuregent Cincy team is on their docket. Louisville is off the list totally, the only way Pitino and his Cards are going to any tourney now is if they buy tickets. That might even include the Big East tourney
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Hopin' and Wishin' Indiana
KJ Sez: Mike Davis' resignation all but seals the Hoosiers fate. This team deserves a much better fate and the blowout loss to Illinois pretty much much ends their season. Michigan is rapidly falling to the Hopin' stage, with a host of bad losses. How fast has the worm turned? A week ago they were in the top 25 and looking strong but then a blowout loss to Iowa, a shootout loss to O-State and a stunning trip back 'o the woodshed by cellar dwelling Purdue has hurt their chances. Beating Minnesota stopped the bleeding but the road gets no easier with three ranked teams in a row.
C-USA
In Memphis
Hopin' and Wishin' UAB, UTEP
KJ Sez: No real changes here as Tigers are the class of the revamped C-USA and are in line for a number 1 seed. , Blazers and Miners still have work to do.
Colonial
In George Mason
Hopin' and Wishin UNC-Wilmington Hofstra
KJ Sez: George Mason leads the pack and has the 20 win credentials and the solid rpi (26) to boot, the bigger problem for an auto bid for them lies in their conference tourney where UNC-Wilmington and Hofstra are in hot pursuit with UNCW at the 20 win mark themselves. Nevertheless Colonials are about as close to bulletproof as one can get and look to be in regardless of their tourney showing
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State
Hopin' and Wishin' Air Force, UNLV
KJ Sez: SDSU is looking solid, while Air Force has hit 20 wins....so what, but the more they win the harder they'll make it for the selection committee to turn them down. UNLV faces a make or break game vs SDSU and if they lose, forget it.
Mid-American I
n Akron, Kent St
Hopin' and Wishin' Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Miami and Northern Illinois may need to run the table and get some help. The Zips and Golden Flashes are eyeing each other warily and may just meet next month with a tourneyy bid on the line in the conference championship game.
Missouri Valley
In Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Creighton, Southern Illinois
Hopin' And Wishin' Missouri State
KJ Sez: That wasn't a misprint in Joe Lunardi's column about Missouri State being one of the last four out. At 10-6 in conference, they sit in fifth and could make the top four sweat. Did you catch that Crieghton-Wichta State thriller Tuesday? That is a preview of the entire conference tourney. Northern Iowa's thriller against a tourney bound Bucknell team makes them look even better. This is a no joke conference, the names might not be household but this scribe will take their thrilling play over the blueblood ACC or the at times ho-hum Big 10
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, USC, Washington, Arizona
Hopin' and Wishin' Stanford
KJ Sez: UCLA is the only team not worrying, despite losing to Southern Cal . Cal is getting close to that stage as well. Arizona and Washington would like to pass Stanford in the Pac 10 standings and make their tourney case stronger, but I think they are both in. Arizona has sent the Cardinal out to pasture for good by beating them Sunday in Palo Alto. Despite being a half game behind the Wildcats will get in unless they bomb out in the Pac-10 tourney.
Patriot
In Bucknell
Hopin' and Wishin' Lehigh
KJ sez:Bucknell???? Oh yes space cadets, they have gotten on the list as a top 25 team, even though they lost to Northern Iowa and should the unthinkable happen (not likely since the Bison should be hosting any and all Patriot Conference tourney games) they should still get an invite. Lehigh is the only team that could do that as they gave Bucknell all they could handle. But the Bison are a team that could not only get in but could send some big-boy teams home early.
SEC
In Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama
Hopin and Wishin'UK, Arkansas, Vanderbilt
KJ Sez: UK is by no means out of the woods, beating bottom feeders South Carolina and Ole Miss will do nothing to impress the selection committee. Their fate will most likely rest with three game season ending gauntlet At LSU and Tennessee and the home finale against Florida. Tubba's crew are getting dangerously close to run the tablesville to get in the tourney. Arkansas is already there with an ill-timed loss to Ole Miss and uh-oh is that Florida on deck?
WAC In Nevada
Hopin' and Wishin' Louisiana Tech
KJ Sez: Nevada leads and should be the one, but keep an eye on a rowdy Louisiana Tech squad who rolled into Southern Illinois and shocked the Salukis on Saturday. The Bulldogs should be the #2 seed in the WAC tourney. If they get the auto berth, the Wolfpack might sweat but they should get in.
West Coast
In Gonzaga
KJ Sez: Gonzaga continues to mark time and isn't worried about going but getting a #2 seed.
1 bid conferences: Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no others from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC,.
This list is under the provision that no are wild card/cinderellas in their respective tourneys. That won’t happen right?
Monday, February 13, 2006
KJ's 2006 NCAA Bid Spec Sheet
Picks as of 2/13
It seems that the more you think that things will round into form, things get crazy. Well buckle up space cadets it will get even crazier. We have 1 month exactly till Selection Sunday and things will get a lot messier before then.
Atlantic Coast
In Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State, Miami
Hoping and Wishin' Fla St., Maryland, Virginia
KJ Sez- Maryland is digging itself a huge hole, Fla. State is 0-4 against top 25 teams and that is something the tourney committee will frown upon. Their game against Virginia this Saturday is a game that may decide who solidifies their tourney resume
Atlantic 10
In George Washington
KJ Sez- G-Dub gets a mention only because they are a rampaging top ten team that could get a 2 seed.
Big 12
In Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas
Hoping and Wishin' Nebraska, Texas A&M
KJ Sez: No real changes here, though Iowa State has torpedoed its chances with bad road losses that offset the upset thrashing of Colorado. Nebraska and A&M are on life support.
Big East In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Syracuse, Georgetown, Cincy
Hopin' and Wishin' Louisville, Seton Hall
KJ Sez: UConn's looking more and more like a #1 seed. Seton Hall hurt themselves with the blowout loss to the Huskies. Louisville is barely breathing having survived a game South Florida squad. Cincy's brutal schedule gives no quarter, but they can still get in with a couple more wins despite a thrashing by Pitt.
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Hopin' and Wishin' Indiana
KJ Sez: A messy situation here with a conference that could send as many as 7. Michigan State hurt it seeding chances with an ill-timed loss at Minnesota. Ohio State moves to the in ledger with solid tourney resume builder wins over Michigan and Illinois. Indiana is doing its usual February swoon (as foretold here) and has moved down to the hopin' slot
C-USA
In Memphis
Hopin' and Wishin' UAB, UTEP
KJ Sez: Tigers are the class of the revamped C-USA and are in line for a number 1 seed , Blazers and Miners have work to do.
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State
Hopin' and Wishin' Air Force, UNLV
KJ Sez: SDSU is looking solid, while Air Force is swooning badly two bad losses and an escape job win versus a so-so Wyoming squad does them no good.Their chances may hinge on a critical two game road swing this week at TCU and Utah. UNLV has a make or break game vs SDSU and if they lose, forget it.
Mid-American
In Akron, Kent St
Hopin' and Wishin' Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Miami and Northern Illinois may need to run the table and get some help. The Zips and Golden Flashes are stalking one another and may meet again till a tourney bid is on the line in the conference finals.
Missouri Valley
In Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Creighton, Southern Illinois
KJ Sez: All four teams of these teams are now at 11-4 in conference and nothing will be really settled until the conference tourney. But you know what, I can't see the tourney selection committee penalizing all four of these teams. It'll be a fun conference tourney to watch and I dare say that all of these teams may very well get in
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, USC, Washington, Arizona
Hopin' and Wishin' Stanford
KJ Sez: Stanford badly needed a win over top 5 Gonzaga, but didn't get it. They are in all kinds of trouble, and may have to run the table and get a win in the Pac-10 tourney to get in. U-Dub, breathes a bit easier but UCLA is in no danger. Arizona is in though they are not helping themselves much, as long as they don't swan dive, they should get in. Lute Olson still carries enough rep to get in on lifetime merit.
SEC
In Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama
Maybe Babies UK, Arkansas, Vanderbilt
KJ Sez: UK is doing itself no favors with back to back losses to Tennessee and Vandy (maybe they were blinded by Bruce Pearls bright orange sport coat) Vandy needs to put some more wins up, because the wins over UK are not as big anymore. Bama has moved itself to the in, cause I can't see the NCAA only letting 3 SEC teams in.
West Coast
In Gonzaga
KJ Sez: Gonzaga continues to make its case for a #2 seed, they have no worries about getting in.
1 bid conferences:
Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no others from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC, WAC This list is under the provision that no are wild card/cinderellas in their respective tourneys. That won’t happen right?
Picks as of 2/13
It seems that the more you think that things will round into form, things get crazy. Well buckle up space cadets it will get even crazier. We have 1 month exactly till Selection Sunday and things will get a lot messier before then.
Atlantic Coast
In Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State, Miami
Hoping and Wishin' Fla St., Maryland, Virginia
KJ Sez- Maryland is digging itself a huge hole, Fla. State is 0-4 against top 25 teams and that is something the tourney committee will frown upon. Their game against Virginia this Saturday is a game that may decide who solidifies their tourney resume
Atlantic 10
In George Washington
KJ Sez- G-Dub gets a mention only because they are a rampaging top ten team that could get a 2 seed.
Big 12
In Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas
Hoping and Wishin' Nebraska, Texas A&M
KJ Sez: No real changes here, though Iowa State has torpedoed its chances with bad road losses that offset the upset thrashing of Colorado. Nebraska and A&M are on life support.
Big East In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Syracuse, Georgetown, Cincy
Hopin' and Wishin' Louisville, Seton Hall
KJ Sez: UConn's looking more and more like a #1 seed. Seton Hall hurt themselves with the blowout loss to the Huskies. Louisville is barely breathing having survived a game South Florida squad. Cincy's brutal schedule gives no quarter, but they can still get in with a couple more wins despite a thrashing by Pitt.
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Hopin' and Wishin' Indiana
KJ Sez: A messy situation here with a conference that could send as many as 7. Michigan State hurt it seeding chances with an ill-timed loss at Minnesota. Ohio State moves to the in ledger with solid tourney resume builder wins over Michigan and Illinois. Indiana is doing its usual February swoon (as foretold here) and has moved down to the hopin' slot
C-USA
In Memphis
Hopin' and Wishin' UAB, UTEP
KJ Sez: Tigers are the class of the revamped C-USA and are in line for a number 1 seed , Blazers and Miners have work to do.
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State
Hopin' and Wishin' Air Force, UNLV
KJ Sez: SDSU is looking solid, while Air Force is swooning badly two bad losses and an escape job win versus a so-so Wyoming squad does them no good.Their chances may hinge on a critical two game road swing this week at TCU and Utah. UNLV has a make or break game vs SDSU and if they lose, forget it.
Mid-American
In Akron, Kent St
Hopin' and Wishin' Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Miami and Northern Illinois may need to run the table and get some help. The Zips and Golden Flashes are stalking one another and may meet again till a tourney bid is on the line in the conference finals.
Missouri Valley
In Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Creighton, Southern Illinois
KJ Sez: All four teams of these teams are now at 11-4 in conference and nothing will be really settled until the conference tourney. But you know what, I can't see the tourney selection committee penalizing all four of these teams. It'll be a fun conference tourney to watch and I dare say that all of these teams may very well get in
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, USC, Washington, Arizona
Hopin' and Wishin' Stanford
KJ Sez: Stanford badly needed a win over top 5 Gonzaga, but didn't get it. They are in all kinds of trouble, and may have to run the table and get a win in the Pac-10 tourney to get in. U-Dub, breathes a bit easier but UCLA is in no danger. Arizona is in though they are not helping themselves much, as long as they don't swan dive, they should get in. Lute Olson still carries enough rep to get in on lifetime merit.
SEC
In Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama
Maybe Babies UK, Arkansas, Vanderbilt
KJ Sez: UK is doing itself no favors with back to back losses to Tennessee and Vandy (maybe they were blinded by Bruce Pearls bright orange sport coat) Vandy needs to put some more wins up, because the wins over UK are not as big anymore. Bama has moved itself to the in, cause I can't see the NCAA only letting 3 SEC teams in.
West Coast
In Gonzaga
KJ Sez: Gonzaga continues to make its case for a #2 seed, they have no worries about getting in.
1 bid conferences:
Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no others from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC, WAC This list is under the provision that no are wild card/cinderellas in their respective tourneys. That won’t happen right?
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
The NCAA Spec Sheet...'06 edition
Bandits 2006 NCAA Bid Spec Sheet Picks as of 2/7
The first of many, this is a spec sheet designed to handicap who makes the 65 team NCAA mens basketball tournament. 30 slots go to the winners of the conference championship tournaments in late February and early March, The Ivy League champion gets an automatic bid as they have no tournament and the remaining 34 slots are selected by the NCAA as at large bids. I will break down who are locks and who needs to polish their tourney resumes to get a bid. Of course with various upsets, hot streaks and dry spells things change. The spec sheet will be posted on Monday or Tuesday thru 2/28 then as often as possible through Selection Sunday on March 12th. As I see right now I have 77 teams in serious contention for those 65 spots, so let the chase begin.
Atlantic Coast
In Duke, Maryland, UNC, NC State, Miami
Hoping and Wishin' Bost College, Fla St.
KJ Sez- UNC makes itself look a whole lot better after beating Maryland, the Dookies are killin' time till the tourney. The ACC isn't as assured as getting the bevy of seeds they are accustomed to.
Big 12
In Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas
Hoping and Wishin' Iowa State, Nebraska, Texas Tech
KJ Sez: KU hasn't missed since they were on probation in '89, but they need to add some quality wins to offset some of their cream puff games and home losses that weight their bid, the home win over Oklahoma will strengthen their chances. The Sooners loss on the road continues its troubling pattern of losing winnable games late, but they are in no danger. Tech, I-State and Nebraska have work to do and may hurt each others chances by playing each other.
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Syracuse, Georgetown
Hopin' and Wishin' Cincy, Louisville, Seton Hall
Bandit Sez:Deepest conference, Cincy and Seton Hall have enough quality wins where only a complete divebomb hurts. Louisville is being exposed as a fraud and needs to worry about getting in the Big East Tourney first. Of the in teams Marquette is the shakiest though the nugget of being UConn's lone loss looks real good on its resume. The UC/UofL game may shape up to be an tourney chances elimination game, with Cincy staying afloat and UofL taking a real shot.
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa Indiana, Michigan State
Hopin' and Wishin' Ohio State, Michigan State
KJ Sez: Indiana had better not go into its usual February swan dive, The tight loss to top ranked UConn won't hurt 'em and they are still in for now. Ohio State improves its chances after the cupcake games if they can take down Illinois and or Michigan, but the NCAA might keep 'me out longer with probation looming. Iowa is the best team in the Big Ten no one no knows about. Michigan State's brutal non conference slate is paying dividends even though they are in the middle of the Big Ten pack
C-USA
In Memphis
Hopin' and Wishin' UAB, UTEP
KJ Sez: Tigers are the class of the revamped C-USA and are in line for a number 1 seed , Blazers and Miners need some help and may be hard pressed to keep this league from falling into the one-bid status.
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State,
Hopin' and Wishin' Air Force, UNLV
KJ Sez: Weak conference may fall into the one bid category if Air Force comes apart
Mid-American
In Akron, Kent St
Hopin' and Wishin' Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Uneven conference is a tough bird to figure, if history repeats itself the MAC conference may decide who gets the bid. Big boys are hoping that Kent stays in front and wins the bid. The hard fought home win over Akron will pay its dividends in the conference tourney.
Missouri Valley
In None yet
Hopin' and Wishin Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Creighton, Southern Illinois
KJ Sez: One of the more competitve conferences that gets little pub. No one wants to schedule these guys cause they are a major pain to beat and they play a rock 'em sock 'em style against each other. This is a league that deserves four bids but will be lucky to get two. All four teams are at 9-3 and nothing will be really settled until the conference tourney.
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, USC, Washington
Hopin' and Wishin' Arizona, Stanford
KJ Sez: Arizona is another team with a long tourney streak in jeopardy. They need more wins though, but they should get the benefit of the doubt. Cal sits on the fence, but they are still in right now. SC needs no more bad losses like the one they took vs Arizona State, especially after a rousing win over Arizona.
SEC
In Tennessee, Florida, LSU
Maybe Babies UK, 'Bama, Arkansas
KJ Sez: UK needs more wins and a bad timed loss to high flying Florida doesn't help at all, but as it stands they may still get in on rep alone in a weak year for the league. Arkansas but they stand a better chance than Bama does, though a home upset of division leader LSU helps a bunch.
West Coast
Lock Gonzaga
Bandit Sez: Unless Adam Morrison forgets where the Kennel is, the Bulldogs get in and could go deep, they only get mention above the other one bidders cause they are top ten.
1 bid conferences: Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no others from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC, WAC
This list is under the provision that no are wild card/cinderellas in their respective tourneys. That won’t happen right?
The first of many, this is a spec sheet designed to handicap who makes the 65 team NCAA mens basketball tournament. 30 slots go to the winners of the conference championship tournaments in late February and early March, The Ivy League champion gets an automatic bid as they have no tournament and the remaining 34 slots are selected by the NCAA as at large bids. I will break down who are locks and who needs to polish their tourney resumes to get a bid. Of course with various upsets, hot streaks and dry spells things change. The spec sheet will be posted on Monday or Tuesday thru 2/28 then as often as possible through Selection Sunday on March 12th. As I see right now I have 77 teams in serious contention for those 65 spots, so let the chase begin.
Atlantic Coast
In Duke, Maryland, UNC, NC State, Miami
Hoping and Wishin' Bost College, Fla St.
KJ Sez- UNC makes itself look a whole lot better after beating Maryland, the Dookies are killin' time till the tourney. The ACC isn't as assured as getting the bevy of seeds they are accustomed to.
Big 12
In Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas
Hoping and Wishin' Iowa State, Nebraska, Texas Tech
KJ Sez: KU hasn't missed since they were on probation in '89, but they need to add some quality wins to offset some of their cream puff games and home losses that weight their bid, the home win over Oklahoma will strengthen their chances. The Sooners loss on the road continues its troubling pattern of losing winnable games late, but they are in no danger. Tech, I-State and Nebraska have work to do and may hurt each others chances by playing each other.
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Syracuse, Georgetown
Hopin' and Wishin' Cincy, Louisville, Seton Hall
Bandit Sez:Deepest conference, Cincy and Seton Hall have enough quality wins where only a complete divebomb hurts. Louisville is being exposed as a fraud and needs to worry about getting in the Big East Tourney first. Of the in teams Marquette is the shakiest though the nugget of being UConn's lone loss looks real good on its resume. The UC/UofL game may shape up to be an tourney chances elimination game, with Cincy staying afloat and UofL taking a real shot.
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa Indiana, Michigan State
Hopin' and Wishin' Ohio State, Michigan State
KJ Sez: Indiana had better not go into its usual February swan dive, The tight loss to top ranked UConn won't hurt 'em and they are still in for now. Ohio State improves its chances after the cupcake games if they can take down Illinois and or Michigan, but the NCAA might keep 'me out longer with probation looming. Iowa is the best team in the Big Ten no one no knows about. Michigan State's brutal non conference slate is paying dividends even though they are in the middle of the Big Ten pack
C-USA
In Memphis
Hopin' and Wishin' UAB, UTEP
KJ Sez: Tigers are the class of the revamped C-USA and are in line for a number 1 seed , Blazers and Miners need some help and may be hard pressed to keep this league from falling into the one-bid status.
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State,
Hopin' and Wishin' Air Force, UNLV
KJ Sez: Weak conference may fall into the one bid category if Air Force comes apart
Mid-American
In Akron, Kent St
Hopin' and Wishin' Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Uneven conference is a tough bird to figure, if history repeats itself the MAC conference may decide who gets the bid. Big boys are hoping that Kent stays in front and wins the bid. The hard fought home win over Akron will pay its dividends in the conference tourney.
Missouri Valley
In None yet
Hopin' and Wishin Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Creighton, Southern Illinois
KJ Sez: One of the more competitve conferences that gets little pub. No one wants to schedule these guys cause they are a major pain to beat and they play a rock 'em sock 'em style against each other. This is a league that deserves four bids but will be lucky to get two. All four teams are at 9-3 and nothing will be really settled until the conference tourney.
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, USC, Washington
Hopin' and Wishin' Arizona, Stanford
KJ Sez: Arizona is another team with a long tourney streak in jeopardy. They need more wins though, but they should get the benefit of the doubt. Cal sits on the fence, but they are still in right now. SC needs no more bad losses like the one they took vs Arizona State, especially after a rousing win over Arizona.
SEC
In Tennessee, Florida, LSU
Maybe Babies UK, 'Bama, Arkansas
KJ Sez: UK needs more wins and a bad timed loss to high flying Florida doesn't help at all, but as it stands they may still get in on rep alone in a weak year for the league. Arkansas but they stand a better chance than Bama does, though a home upset of division leader LSU helps a bunch.
West Coast
Lock Gonzaga
Bandit Sez: Unless Adam Morrison forgets where the Kennel is, the Bulldogs get in and could go deep, they only get mention above the other one bidders cause they are top ten.
1 bid conferences: Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no others from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC, WAC
This list is under the provision that no are wild card/cinderellas in their respective tourneys. That won’t happen right?
Friday, February 03, 2006
Super Bowl Pick
Editors note: this is republication of an post previous published on a now defunct site.
I'm still not in tune with the Super Bowl in February, but since Tags says its so. It will be so. I'm really ambivalent about the game, I have no beef with the Seahawks, but like most of the country no little about them. I detest the Steelers and their braying noisy fans. So my bias is very clear. But as a writer that wants to give a balanced view lets take a look at the biggest game of the year. After some fast facts
The First Super Bowl was not a sellout. Played in the mammoth LA Coliseum only 61,946 saw the Packers thump the Chiefs.
Super Bowl I was televised on two networks. Under an agreement AFL network NBC and NFL Network CBS shared in the broadcast for the first game.
The Super Bowl wasn't even called the Super Bowl for the first four years. It was called the AFL-NFL Championship Game. AFL Founder and President Lamar Hunt (Who still owns the Chiefs) called it the "Super Bowl" as a working title until the leagues could think of something more regal and then NFL Commish Pete Rozelle hated the name. 40 years later no one has come up with a better title. The NFL came up with the roman numerals in 1970 and backdated the first four games.
There has never been an overtime in the Super Bowl
Chuck Howley of the Cowboys from Super Bowl V is the only player from a losing squad to win MVP
There have been three super bowls won with last second FG's and only one won with a last minute TD
If you bet on an MVP bet on a QB being the MVP as 20 of the 39 SB MVP's have went to QB's
The ticket for the first Super Bowl was $12, face value of this year is $700
Super Bowl XL Ford Field, Detroit Michigan
Seattle Seahawks vs Pittsburgh Steelers Sun. Feb 5th 6:30 ABC
Tale Of The Tape
Seattle Seahawks NFC Champions (16-2 overall)
How the Seahawks got to Detroit 13-3 NFC West Champions #1 Seed earned first round bye Defeated NFC Wild Card Washington 20-10 in Divisional Round
Defeated NFC Wild Card Carolina 34-14 in NFC Championship
1st Super Bowl in team history
Coach: Mike Holmgren 7th year in Seattle 63-49 regular season, 2-3 in playoffs 14 years overall with Green Bay & Seattle 138-86 regular season, 11-8 in playoffs 1-1 in Super Bowl (Won XXXI, lost XXXII)
Pittsburgh Steelers AFC Champions (14-5 overall)
How the Steelers got to Detroit 11-5 AFC Wild Card Qualifier #6 seed
Defeated AFC North Champion Cincinnati 31-17 in Wild Card Round
Defeated AFC South Champion Indianapolis 21-18 in Divisional Round
Defeated AFC West Champion Denver 34-17 in AFC Championship
Sixth Super Bowl in team History (won IX, X, XII, XIII, lost XXX) Coach Bill Cowher 14 years all with Pittsburgh 141-82-1 overall 11-9 in playoffs
When The Steelers have the Ball
Offense The Steelers are built around their punishing running game with the redoubtable Jerome Bettis grinding the short yards and "Fast" Willie Parker as the home run threat. The Steelers can throw as the Broncos can painfully attest to, Ben Roethlisberger can put a nice touch on any pass and has been rock solid. His throws to sure handed Hines Ward and rookie tight end Heath Miller have made him looked sharp.
Defense The Seahawks have as big a no-name defense as one could imagine, rookie Lofa Tatupu is an undersized lineman with an oversized engine and hitting power to match. Ballhawking corner Andre Dyson has teamed with Michael Boulware a former LB to give the Seahawks a nice combo in the secondary Advantage-Pittsburgh. The Steelers will try to wear out the rookies by going right at them. If the running game works early look for Roethlisberger to use play action to his advantage. It will be interesting to see the matchup between Ward and Marcos Trufant
Advantage-Pittsburgh. The Steelers offense has grind it out potential
When The Seahawks have the ball
Offense MVP Shaun Alexander is the foundation of this team. He doesn't look the part, but he's fairly durable and gets stronger as the game goes on. Matt Hasselback is a bit mouthy, but has toned it down somewhat and has blossomed into a dependable leader for the Seahawks. Bobby Engram and Joe Jurevicius are a solid if unspectacular 1-2 punch that can stretch the field somewhat. The Seahawks line is getting zero credit for keeping Hasselbeck upright and Alexander rolling. OL Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson are lunchbucket types that open holes for Alexander who may take advantage of the Steelers tendency to overpursue in search of a big hit to get strong cutback lanes. and FB Mack Strong is a bulldog blocker who can break a run off when needed.
Defense The Steelers have plenty of big names with the locaqauious Joey Porter teaming with Clark Hagans to be a disruptive force in the linebacking corps and Troy Polamalu lurking about in the secondary ready to pick off any errant throws and some that are on target as well. Advantage-Seattle The Steelers have yet to face a runner who can punish them the way they are used to their offense punishing other defenses.
Coaching Both Holmgren and Cowher have won the big games before, though Holmgren does have a ring. Both have capable assistants that gameplan great for them. I still think Dick LeBeau ordered the cheapshot on Palmer as the ultimate revenge on the team that fired him, but both teams have strong coaching tandems. Advantage-Push
Special Teams Both teams have solid kicking games though Jeff Reed has a rep for being inconsistent. It will be interesting to see if either he or his Seahawks counterpart Josh Brown will get the yips in pressure situations.
Advantage-Push
Bottom Line Ignore the braying you hear from the media wonks like Skip Bayless and Tony Kornhesier who whine that this is a boring matchup and the Seahawks lack star power. Yes, the Steelers are on a roll and have played over their heads in three improbable road wins, but each of those wins have an if factor. If Kimo Von Awfulhoffen doesn't divebomb on Carson Palmer's knee the Bengals hold their heads high and aren't scurred of the Steelers and knock them off in the wild card round. If Nick Harper cuts to the sideline. Ben Rothelisberger is laying on his back listening to 60,000 Colts fans thundering as Harper roars into the end zone and all Vanderchoke has to miss is the extra point. If Champ Bailey holds on to in ill-timed swing pass by Roethlisberger and takes it the other way for six, the Bronco-Maniacs thunder the Steelers into oblivion. If, if, if. I know. But the fact is that the Steelers are running low on the lucky breaks and despite what the so-called experts tell you they are not the Super team that they want you think they are. They can and will be beat. Shaun Alexander is a difference maker, and as long as Matt Hasselbeck doesn't try to get to cute the Seahawks will frustrate the Steelers into impatience. The Steelers will score but will not dominate. The Seahawks are better than you think, a lot better. The Seahawks will make a game of it and steal it late.
Pick-Seattle 27 Pittsburgh 23 and coming soon...
Bandits 2006 NCAA Bid Spec Sheet Starting next week. No Brackets, no bull just who will make it into the big dance
I'm still not in tune with the Super Bowl in February, but since Tags says its so. It will be so. I'm really ambivalent about the game, I have no beef with the Seahawks, but like most of the country no little about them. I detest the Steelers and their braying noisy fans. So my bias is very clear. But as a writer that wants to give a balanced view lets take a look at the biggest game of the year. After some fast facts
The First Super Bowl was not a sellout. Played in the mammoth LA Coliseum only 61,946 saw the Packers thump the Chiefs.
Super Bowl I was televised on two networks. Under an agreement AFL network NBC and NFL Network CBS shared in the broadcast for the first game.
The Super Bowl wasn't even called the Super Bowl for the first four years. It was called the AFL-NFL Championship Game. AFL Founder and President Lamar Hunt (Who still owns the Chiefs) called it the "Super Bowl" as a working title until the leagues could think of something more regal and then NFL Commish Pete Rozelle hated the name. 40 years later no one has come up with a better title. The NFL came up with the roman numerals in 1970 and backdated the first four games.
There has never been an overtime in the Super Bowl
Chuck Howley of the Cowboys from Super Bowl V is the only player from a losing squad to win MVP
There have been three super bowls won with last second FG's and only one won with a last minute TD
If you bet on an MVP bet on a QB being the MVP as 20 of the 39 SB MVP's have went to QB's
The ticket for the first Super Bowl was $12, face value of this year is $700
Super Bowl XL Ford Field, Detroit Michigan
Seattle Seahawks vs Pittsburgh Steelers Sun. Feb 5th 6:30 ABC
Tale Of The Tape
Seattle Seahawks NFC Champions (16-2 overall)
How the Seahawks got to Detroit 13-3 NFC West Champions #1 Seed earned first round bye Defeated NFC Wild Card Washington 20-10 in Divisional Round
Defeated NFC Wild Card Carolina 34-14 in NFC Championship
1st Super Bowl in team history
Coach: Mike Holmgren 7th year in Seattle 63-49 regular season, 2-3 in playoffs 14 years overall with Green Bay & Seattle 138-86 regular season, 11-8 in playoffs 1-1 in Super Bowl (Won XXXI, lost XXXII)
Pittsburgh Steelers AFC Champions (14-5 overall)
How the Steelers got to Detroit 11-5 AFC Wild Card Qualifier #6 seed
Defeated AFC North Champion Cincinnati 31-17 in Wild Card Round
Defeated AFC South Champion Indianapolis 21-18 in Divisional Round
Defeated AFC West Champion Denver 34-17 in AFC Championship
Sixth Super Bowl in team History (won IX, X, XII, XIII, lost XXX) Coach Bill Cowher 14 years all with Pittsburgh 141-82-1 overall 11-9 in playoffs
When The Steelers have the Ball
Offense The Steelers are built around their punishing running game with the redoubtable Jerome Bettis grinding the short yards and "Fast" Willie Parker as the home run threat. The Steelers can throw as the Broncos can painfully attest to, Ben Roethlisberger can put a nice touch on any pass and has been rock solid. His throws to sure handed Hines Ward and rookie tight end Heath Miller have made him looked sharp.
Defense The Seahawks have as big a no-name defense as one could imagine, rookie Lofa Tatupu is an undersized lineman with an oversized engine and hitting power to match. Ballhawking corner Andre Dyson has teamed with Michael Boulware a former LB to give the Seahawks a nice combo in the secondary Advantage-Pittsburgh. The Steelers will try to wear out the rookies by going right at them. If the running game works early look for Roethlisberger to use play action to his advantage. It will be interesting to see the matchup between Ward and Marcos Trufant
Advantage-Pittsburgh. The Steelers offense has grind it out potential
When The Seahawks have the ball
Offense MVP Shaun Alexander is the foundation of this team. He doesn't look the part, but he's fairly durable and gets stronger as the game goes on. Matt Hasselback is a bit mouthy, but has toned it down somewhat and has blossomed into a dependable leader for the Seahawks. Bobby Engram and Joe Jurevicius are a solid if unspectacular 1-2 punch that can stretch the field somewhat. The Seahawks line is getting zero credit for keeping Hasselbeck upright and Alexander rolling. OL Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson are lunchbucket types that open holes for Alexander who may take advantage of the Steelers tendency to overpursue in search of a big hit to get strong cutback lanes. and FB Mack Strong is a bulldog blocker who can break a run off when needed.
Defense The Steelers have plenty of big names with the locaqauious Joey Porter teaming with Clark Hagans to be a disruptive force in the linebacking corps and Troy Polamalu lurking about in the secondary ready to pick off any errant throws and some that are on target as well. Advantage-Seattle The Steelers have yet to face a runner who can punish them the way they are used to their offense punishing other defenses.
Coaching Both Holmgren and Cowher have won the big games before, though Holmgren does have a ring. Both have capable assistants that gameplan great for them. I still think Dick LeBeau ordered the cheapshot on Palmer as the ultimate revenge on the team that fired him, but both teams have strong coaching tandems. Advantage-Push
Special Teams Both teams have solid kicking games though Jeff Reed has a rep for being inconsistent. It will be interesting to see if either he or his Seahawks counterpart Josh Brown will get the yips in pressure situations.
Advantage-Push
Bottom Line Ignore the braying you hear from the media wonks like Skip Bayless and Tony Kornhesier who whine that this is a boring matchup and the Seahawks lack star power. Yes, the Steelers are on a roll and have played over their heads in three improbable road wins, but each of those wins have an if factor. If Kimo Von Awfulhoffen doesn't divebomb on Carson Palmer's knee the Bengals hold their heads high and aren't scurred of the Steelers and knock them off in the wild card round. If Nick Harper cuts to the sideline. Ben Rothelisberger is laying on his back listening to 60,000 Colts fans thundering as Harper roars into the end zone and all Vanderchoke has to miss is the extra point. If Champ Bailey holds on to in ill-timed swing pass by Roethlisberger and takes it the other way for six, the Bronco-Maniacs thunder the Steelers into oblivion. If, if, if. I know. But the fact is that the Steelers are running low on the lucky breaks and despite what the so-called experts tell you they are not the Super team that they want you think they are. They can and will be beat. Shaun Alexander is a difference maker, and as long as Matt Hasselbeck doesn't try to get to cute the Seahawks will frustrate the Steelers into impatience. The Steelers will score but will not dominate. The Seahawks are better than you think, a lot better. The Seahawks will make a game of it and steal it late.
Pick-Seattle 27 Pittsburgh 23 and coming soon...
Bandits 2006 NCAA Bid Spec Sheet Starting next week. No Brackets, no bull just who will make it into the big dance
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