Heres a notice to the JT the Hick's....er Brick. Mike Celzic's Billy Packer's and all of the so-called experts that are now whining that there are no good stories now that the remaining three #1 seeds got bounced in the Elite Eight over the weekend. With apologies to Rupaul
You're gonna have to work!
Indy is a great city to be in for a final four or any NCAA tourney game for that matter. I've been in '97 and 2000 as well as the Cincinnati-Kentucky tourney game last March and no city puts on a better show. There is much to see and do and you can have a boatload of fun. That said, these hacks will have to do some research and work on teams that are well deserving but under the national radar. No pity-party oh we're really not that good though we've won 30 games Jim Calhoun, No wine and cheese North Carolina, No Duke, No east coast big timers. Just Four teams that have defied odds and expectations. You have UCLA, who I think is the most underrated major conference winner. Is the most well known of the four with their tradition born from the Wooden years....but that was 30 years ago. Actually 31 since John Wooden coached his last game, beating Kentucky in San Diego for his 10th title. The Bruins have had a number of coaches try to fill his huge coaching shoes. Only Jim Harrick took the '95 team to the title, but that was better than a decade ago. This is a team that is unheralded, but can beat you so many ways. Jordan Farmar has carried this team with heroic play and I'm not surprised to see Ben Howland take this team deep, he is a great coach.
Then there is LSU, led by man-child Glenn "Big Baby' Davis who is charming his way into cult status. John Brady may finally get out of the serious shadow cast by former longtime LSU coach Dale Brown. This team is young and unawed by their deep run.
Then consider Florida. Billy "The Kid" Donovan finally proved that his coaching is no fluke, which many pundits said him getting to the Final Four in 2000 was. The Gators are a roughhouse bunch. Joakim Noah has a nice touch around the basket and the Gators will run you ragged if you're not careful.
And then finally there is George Mason. No one in the right mind picked this team to get any further than Dayton. For the record I had them beating Michigan State. But come to think of it, they had a perfect storm happen. They beat a vastly overrated Michigan State team, beat a UNC team whose youth finally caught up to them, a good Wichita State team that was as much a Cinderella and shocked tourney fave UConn. The Patriots are a talented team coming together at the right time. These are some of the facts, which is more than the hacks had before. Most of these hacks are just learning that George Mason is a school barely 40 years old and is in Fairfax, VA just outside Washington, DC. Many hacks still think Dale Brown coaches LSU and that Steve Lavin coaches UCLA. In other words as JT the Brick whined in his column late Sunday night "All the stories are dead". This outlines the laziness of the sports writers. They want everything their way, a sexy matchup, a warm weather climate a clearly defined good guy and bad guy, so they can speed type their stories and fill in the blank with who won and lost. After that its hit the bar and be lazy.
You're gonna have to work!!!
I've always dreamed of being a sportswriter or radio talk show host, to be courtside and soaking up the atmosphere and then relating my views on a game to the public. I've resisted falling into the trap that the uninformed to, the big teams are easy to cover. The bigger teams have extensive coverage and are on TV ad infinitum. The smaller schools may be on TV a couple times a year. I'm referring to national TV, (ie CBS, ESPN) You wouldn't dare see Billy Packer covering a Wichita State-George Mason game. He might be forced to do some research on the teams and not be able to schooze and suck up to the power brokers of the bigger schools (heaven forbid) The pundits have no JJ Reddick or Adam Morrison to fawn over. Which I know drives the sports pundits crazy. Morrison and Gonzaga must be fuming now cause they aren't considered a mid-major cinderella anymore, rather a the big dog in a small conference. Quick, tell me what conference Gonzaga is in and three teams in that conference. I'll turn off Nantz and Packer (I've always liked the witty and concise Nantz) and listen to Kevin Harlan and John Thompson on the radio call. I think they'll be a little less disparaging. By the way Gonzaga is in the West Coast Conference where such heavyweights like University of San Diego (Not to be confused with San Diego State from the WAC), Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount and San Francisco
Now it seems that folks are beefing because teams are playing defense and scores are low. Wasn't it not too long ago that teams playing run and gun were considered playground style and bad for the game. "Where is the defense and the team concept." and "Its too much individual." Now that teams are doing this on the pro and college level where the trends trickle down to. Now the pundits whine that this boring and there is no flash and that the game on the floor is a brawl. Hey goober, you can't both ways. You want defense and cry that the game is too wide open, when the d tightens you whine that the game is no fun to watch. Appreciate the game for what it is and quitcha bellyachin'!
There are just four left, the show climaxes in Indy. I can't wait.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
The Last Spec Shet before the big dance...
KJ's 2006 NCAA Bid Spec Sheet
Picks as of 3/7
The reason that this will be the last spec sheet before the tourney is that your humble scribe is headed to New York to view the Big East tourney and cheer my beloved Bearcats on what I hope is a deep tourney run. I would like to hope that their streak of winning their conference tourneys in their first year will continue, but I'm a realist hoping for wins on Wednesday and thursday and an honeoaboe semi showing. I will try to post on the accuracy of my picks next week.
Atlantic Coast
Locks:Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Work to Do Florida State
Win it to get in it Field
KJ Sez: Maryland keeps talking like they need to win one and get in...they are dead wrong. Beating weak sister Ga. Tech will get them no notice, however beating BC who would be the Terps ACC quarterfinal opponent would, in addition to getting them to twenty wins, stay tuned. Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Greensboro Coliseum; Greensboro, NC
Atlantic 10
LockGeorge Washington
Win it to Get in itCharlotte
Bandit Sez: Is there any realistic bids other than GW coming from here??? Not really.
Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 US Bank Arena, Cincinnati
Big East In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Cincy
Work To Do Seton Hall, Syracuse
Key Game: Syracuse vs Cincinnati 12 Noon (ESPN)
KJ Sez: If Syracuse loses they host an NIT game, if Cincy loses they may sweat but they should go. Big East Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Madison Square Garden, New York
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State,
Work To Do-Indiana, Michigan
Key Game: Michigan vs Minnesota 2p-Thurs
KJ Sez: Not so fast Hoosier and Wolverine fans, get wins in your first round games. Indiana despite the #4 seeding needs to beat Wisconsin and Michigan needs to beat Minnesota (not an easy task) and hang tough with Iowa to breathe easy
Big Ten Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Big 12
Locks Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas , Texas A&M
Work To Do Colorado
Win It to get in Nebraska
Key Game: Colorado vs Baylor- 3p Thurs
KJ Sez: If the Buffs lose to lowly Baylor their NCAA tourney hopes are done, Nebraska sits in the same boat playing a Missouri team that they just lost to.
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 American Airlines Center, Dallas
C-USA
In Memphis, UAB
Win it to Get In it UTEP
KJ Sez:UTEP's road to the tourney starts with beating the winner of the Tulsa/Southern Miss. Any slipups from here on out, sends the Miners to NIT land.
Key Game: UTEP vs Tulsa Southern Miss winner 3:30-Thursday
Conference USA Tournament: Mar 8-11 FedEx Forum, Memphis.
Colonial
Clinched Bid UNC Wilmington
Hoping for the Best George Mason, Hofstra
KJ Sez: The dumbest thing that Tony Skinn of George Mason did was throw that punch to the lower digital anatomy of Loren Stokes of Hofstra. Not only did it get him suspended for the Patriots next game, it may cost them a tourney invite. Hofstra made a late charge but their poor early performance in the CAA finals may give the selection committee an excuse to give this multi-bid deserving conference a single bid. The Seahawks are going the Pride and Colonials have to wait and see.
Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Winner: UNC-Wilmington
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State,
Work To Do Air Force
Win It to Get In it BYU
KJSez: SDSU is safe unless they lose the tourney opener. Air Force and BYU may be playing an elimination game Friday night. BYU may just need to run the table.
Mountain West Conference Tournament: Mar 7, 9-11 Pepsi Center; Denver
Mid-American
Locks-Akron, Kent St
Work To Do-Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Akron and Kent are on opposite sides of the MAC Bracket and may face off in the title game, Miami's best chance to get a serious look is to ruin that equasion and upset Kent in the MAC semis. NIU is guaranteed nothing unless they get to the MAC title game themselves
Mid American Conference Tournament: Mar 9-11 Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
Missouri Valley
Clinched Bid Southern Illnois
Locks- Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Bradley
Hoping for the Best Missouri St, Creighton
KJ Sez: Salute the Salukis! They held off a game Bradley squad to earn a Tournament bid and will rest easy. The Braves have forced their way into the picture with an impressive run to the MVC title game. The Shockers and Panthers have impressive resumes and should be in. On the other hand, Missouri Stare put themselves in deep trouble as did Creighton with their first round losses. The winner and three at larges get in.
Missouri Valley Conference Winner: Southern Illinois
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, Washington, Arizona
Work To Do Stanford
Win It To Get In It-USC
KJ Sez:Hassan Adams' suspension from the Pac-10 tourney gives the Cardinal hope, they have a better chance of beating Arizona without their leading scorer. That in itself might get them into the tourney
Key Game: Arizona vs Stanford- 3p Thurs
Pacific 10 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11, Staples Center; Los Angeles
Patriot
Lock Bucknell
Win It To Get In It Holy Cross
Hoping for the Best Lehigh
KJ Sez: Holy Cross has four days to figure how to beat the rampaging Bison on their home court. If they can they will get a bid. Bucknell will go regardless. Lehigh's loss leaves them the odd man out
Patriot League Tournament Final: Mar 10th-4:30p Holy Cross at Bucknell- Sojka Pavillion; Lewisburg, PA
SEC
Locks-Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama, Arkansas, UK
Win It To Get In It Field
Key Game: UK vs Ole Miss 3:15-Thurs
KJ Sez: As long as UK doesn't lose to Ole Miss in the SEC quarters they are safe. Southeastern Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Gaylord Events Center; Nashville
WAC
LockNevada
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: Nevada is the only true lock here. The WAC tourney is on their floor and the tourney bid is theirs to lose
Western Athletic Conference Tournament: Mar 9,10 &12 Lawler Events Center, Reno, NV
West Coast
Clinched Bid Gonzaga
KJ Sez:Gonzaga survived a major scare as a nothing to lose Loyola Marymount team came missed layup from stunning the Bulldogs and stealing the auto bid and with it an at large bid for another bubble team. Some pundits think that Gonzaga should be punished for playing close games in their conference tourney, especially since it was on their home court. I think that Gonzaga is still a #2 seed
West Coast Conference Winner: Gonzaga
Automatic Bids Clinched: Penn (Ivy) Winthrop (Big South), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Southern Illnois (Missouri Valley) , Murray State (Ohio Valley) and Davidson (Southern Conference), Iona (MAAC), UNC-Wilmington (Colonial), Gonzaga (West Coast) 1 bid conferences (tourney winners): Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no other expected at-large bid from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun (Belmont), Big Sky, Big South (Winthrop), Big West, Horizon, Ivy (Penn), MAAC (Iona), MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley (Murray State), Southern (Davidson), 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 3/7
The reason that this will be the last spec sheet before the tourney is that your humble scribe is headed to New York to view the Big East tourney and cheer my beloved Bearcats on what I hope is a deep tourney run. I would like to hope that their streak of winning their conference tourneys in their first year will continue, but I'm a realist hoping for wins on Wednesday and thursday and an honeoaboe semi showing. I will try to post on the accuracy of my picks next week.
Atlantic Coast
Locks:Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Work to Do Florida State
Win it to get in it Field
KJ Sez: Maryland keeps talking like they need to win one and get in...they are dead wrong. Beating weak sister Ga. Tech will get them no notice, however beating BC who would be the Terps ACC quarterfinal opponent would, in addition to getting them to twenty wins, stay tuned. Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Greensboro Coliseum; Greensboro, NC
Atlantic 10
LockGeorge Washington
Win it to Get in itCharlotte
Bandit Sez: Is there any realistic bids other than GW coming from here??? Not really.
Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 US Bank Arena, Cincinnati
Big East In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Cincy
Work To Do Seton Hall, Syracuse
Key Game: Syracuse vs Cincinnati 12 Noon (ESPN)
KJ Sez: If Syracuse loses they host an NIT game, if Cincy loses they may sweat but they should go. Big East Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Madison Square Garden, New York
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State,
Work To Do-Indiana, Michigan
Key Game: Michigan vs Minnesota 2p-Thurs
KJ Sez: Not so fast Hoosier and Wolverine fans, get wins in your first round games. Indiana despite the #4 seeding needs to beat Wisconsin and Michigan needs to beat Minnesota (not an easy task) and hang tough with Iowa to breathe easy
Big Ten Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Big 12
Locks Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas , Texas A&M
Work To Do Colorado
Win It to get in Nebraska
Key Game: Colorado vs Baylor- 3p Thurs
KJ Sez: If the Buffs lose to lowly Baylor their NCAA tourney hopes are done, Nebraska sits in the same boat playing a Missouri team that they just lost to.
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 American Airlines Center, Dallas
C-USA
In Memphis, UAB
Win it to Get In it UTEP
KJ Sez:UTEP's road to the tourney starts with beating the winner of the Tulsa/Southern Miss. Any slipups from here on out, sends the Miners to NIT land.
Key Game: UTEP vs Tulsa Southern Miss winner 3:30-Thursday
Conference USA Tournament: Mar 8-11 FedEx Forum, Memphis.
Colonial
Clinched Bid UNC Wilmington
Hoping for the Best George Mason, Hofstra
KJ Sez: The dumbest thing that Tony Skinn of George Mason did was throw that punch to the lower digital anatomy of Loren Stokes of Hofstra. Not only did it get him suspended for the Patriots next game, it may cost them a tourney invite. Hofstra made a late charge but their poor early performance in the CAA finals may give the selection committee an excuse to give this multi-bid deserving conference a single bid. The Seahawks are going the Pride and Colonials have to wait and see.
Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Winner: UNC-Wilmington
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State,
Work To Do Air Force
Win It to Get In it BYU
KJSez: SDSU is safe unless they lose the tourney opener. Air Force and BYU may be playing an elimination game Friday night. BYU may just need to run the table.
Mountain West Conference Tournament: Mar 7, 9-11 Pepsi Center; Denver
Mid-American
Locks-Akron, Kent St
Work To Do-Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Akron and Kent are on opposite sides of the MAC Bracket and may face off in the title game, Miami's best chance to get a serious look is to ruin that equasion and upset Kent in the MAC semis. NIU is guaranteed nothing unless they get to the MAC title game themselves
Mid American Conference Tournament: Mar 9-11 Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
Missouri Valley
Clinched Bid Southern Illnois
Locks- Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Bradley
Hoping for the Best Missouri St, Creighton
KJ Sez: Salute the Salukis! They held off a game Bradley squad to earn a Tournament bid and will rest easy. The Braves have forced their way into the picture with an impressive run to the MVC title game. The Shockers and Panthers have impressive resumes and should be in. On the other hand, Missouri Stare put themselves in deep trouble as did Creighton with their first round losses. The winner and three at larges get in.
Missouri Valley Conference Winner: Southern Illinois
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, Washington, Arizona
Work To Do Stanford
Win It To Get In It-USC
KJ Sez:Hassan Adams' suspension from the Pac-10 tourney gives the Cardinal hope, they have a better chance of beating Arizona without their leading scorer. That in itself might get them into the tourney
Key Game: Arizona vs Stanford- 3p Thurs
Pacific 10 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11, Staples Center; Los Angeles
Patriot
Lock Bucknell
Win It To Get In It Holy Cross
Hoping for the Best Lehigh
KJ Sez: Holy Cross has four days to figure how to beat the rampaging Bison on their home court. If they can they will get a bid. Bucknell will go regardless. Lehigh's loss leaves them the odd man out
Patriot League Tournament Final: Mar 10th-4:30p Holy Cross at Bucknell- Sojka Pavillion; Lewisburg, PA
SEC
Locks-Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama, Arkansas, UK
Win It To Get In It Field
Key Game: UK vs Ole Miss 3:15-Thurs
KJ Sez: As long as UK doesn't lose to Ole Miss in the SEC quarters they are safe. Southeastern Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Gaylord Events Center; Nashville
WAC
LockNevada
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: Nevada is the only true lock here. The WAC tourney is on their floor and the tourney bid is theirs to lose
Western Athletic Conference Tournament: Mar 9,10 &12 Lawler Events Center, Reno, NV
West Coast
Clinched Bid Gonzaga
KJ Sez:Gonzaga survived a major scare as a nothing to lose Loyola Marymount team came missed layup from stunning the Bulldogs and stealing the auto bid and with it an at large bid for another bubble team. Some pundits think that Gonzaga should be punished for playing close games in their conference tourney, especially since it was on their home court. I think that Gonzaga is still a #2 seed
West Coast Conference Winner: Gonzaga
Automatic Bids Clinched: Penn (Ivy) Winthrop (Big South), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Southern Illnois (Missouri Valley) , Murray State (Ohio Valley) and Davidson (Southern Conference), Iona (MAAC), UNC-Wilmington (Colonial), Gonzaga (West Coast) 1 bid conferences (tourney winners): Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no other expected at-large bid from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun (Belmont), Big Sky, Big South (Winthrop), Big West, Horizon, Ivy (Penn), MAAC (Iona), MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley (Murray State), Southern (Davidson), 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, March 06, 2006
NCAA Spec Sheet 3/6
KJ's 2006 NCAA Bid Spec Sheet
Picks as of 3/6
Penn became the first team with a guaranteed slot Friday, as they clinched the Ivy League title. Since that league is the only D-1 conference without a conference tourney, their league clinch gets them a dance ticket. Over the weekend Belmont, Winthrop, Southern Illnois , Murray State and Davidson also punched their dance ticket as well The West Coast Conference MAAC and Colonial play their championship games tonight. Only the Missouri Valley looks to be a conference that may get multiple bids of the conferences that crowned champs this weekend. Also only in the event the Gonzaga gets beat will their be multiple bids from the West Coast. The Colonial is just as crazy as a couple teams are deserving of bids.
Atlantic Coast
Locks Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Work to Do Florida State
Win it to get in it Field
KJ Sez: Forget Duke, UNC might be the team no one wants to deal with. Fla. State is still in the work to do column, though they are looking more and more like a lock.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Greensboro Coliseum; Greensboro, NC
Atlantic 10
Lock George Washington
Win it to Get in it Charlotte
KJ Sez: You know, maybe G-Dub isn't in as much danger of losing their 2 seed as I thought. A 1 seed may be a stretch, but possible. The Colonials finished a perfect A-10 season with a thrilling OT win versus a snakebit Charlotte team. The Niners are NIT bound unless they win it all. Which is something the big boys don't want to happen.
Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 US Bank Arena, Cincinnati
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Cincy
Work To Do Seton Hall, Syracuse
KJ Sez: Syracuse may have blown their to bits with an abysmal blowout loss to lowly Depaul and a senior day thumping by 'Nova While the Cats have struggled, getting a woodshed treatment does more harm. The Cuse is trouble. Seton Hall may have locked themselves in with a stunna at Pitt and Cincy got a badly needed win against West Virginia. In short, the Cats and Pirates are doing what they need to do to get in and the Orange are trying to play their way out. Big East Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Madison Square Garden, New York
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Work To Do Indiana
Win It to Get in it Minnesota
KJ Sez: Gee this sounds like something I said last year. Everyone squawks (Jay Bilas the loudest) that Indiana should get in, why? They lost 7 of 8 at one point. Yes they have played a decent non-conference schedule, but their only notable win came against UK and that was soooo long ago. The committee wants to see what a team has done lately and they are doing nothing to impress me or the committee. If they don't take a 1st round plunge, I'll entertain talk of them getting in. Big Ten Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Big 12
Locks Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas , Texas A&M
Work To Do Colorado
Win It to get in Nebraska
KJ Sez: Nebraska needs to get to the Big 12 finals, if not win to have a shot. Colorado went from In to needing work as they have gotten repeated blastings. With lots of deserving bubble teams, the Buffs had better get right or get left on Selection Sunday
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 American Airlines Center, Dallas
C-USA
In Memphis
Work To Do UAB
Win it to Get In it UTEP
Bandit Sez:The C-USA tourney is set up perfect for a Tiger victory parade and only UAB could even hope to stop it. Memphis is playing on its home court and will get the early game times all the way to the Saturday morning final. IF UTEP wants to crash this party they had better hope to play their best right now.
Conference USA Tournament: Mar 8-11 FedEx Forum, Memphis.
Colonial
Lock George Mason
Work To Do Hofstra
Win It To Get in it UNC-Wilmington
KJ Sez: George Mason is safe despite their semifinal loss, Hofstra should get in, if UNCW wins it'll make it harder for some of the other bubble teams.
Colonial Athletic Association Conference Tournament Final: Hofstra vs UNC-Wilmington 7p- Richmond Coliseum, Richmond Va.
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State
Work To Do Air Force Win It to Get In it BYU
KJ Sez: SDSU is safe unless they lose the tourney opener. Air Force and BYU may be playing an elimination game Friday night. BYU may just need to run the table.
Mountain West Conference Tournament: Mar 7, 9-11 Pepsi Center; Denver
Mid-American
Locks- either Akron, Kent St but not both
Work To Do Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Akron and Kent are on opposite sides of the MAC Bracket and may face off in the title game, Miami's best chance to get a serious look is to ruin that equasion and upset Kent in the MAC semis. NIU is guaranteed nothing unless they get to the MAC title game themselves
Mid American Conference Tournament: Mar 6 (Campus Sites) Mar 9-11 Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
Missouri Valley
Clinched Bid Southern Illnois
Locks Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Bradley
Hoping for the Best Missouri St, Creighton
Bandit Sez: Salute the Salukis! They held off a game Bradley squad to earn a Tournament bid and will rest easy. The Braves have forced their way into the picture with an impressive run to the MVC title game. The Shockers and Panthers have impressive resumes and should be in. On the other hand, Missouri State put themselves in deep trouble as did Creighton with their first round losses. The winner and three at larges get in.
Missouri Valley Conference Winner: Southern Illinois
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, Washington, Arizona
Work To Do Stanford
Win It To Get In It USC
KJ Sez:If Stanford beats Arizona they might just get in, USC has got to beat Cal, and likely Washington to get a serious look.
Pacific 10 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11, Staples Center; Los Angeles
Patriot
Lock Bucknell
Win It To Get In It Holy Cross
Hoping for the Best Lehigh
Bandit Sez: Holy Cross has four days to figure how to beat the rampaging Bison on their home court. If they can they will get a bid. Bucknell will go regardless. Lehigh's loss leaves them the odd man out
Patriot League Tournament Final: Mar 10th-4:30p Holy Cross at Bucknell- Sojka Pavillion; Lewisburg, PA
SEC
Locks Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama, Arkansas, UK
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: UK's win in Knoxville gets them in...grudgingly. Even despite their senior day thumping by Florida. Unless something screwy happens in Nashville the aforementioned five get in. Southeastern Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Gaylord Events Center; Nashville
WAC
Lock Nevada
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: Nevada is the only true lock here. The WAC tourney is on their floor and the tourney bid is theirs to lose
Western Athletic Conference Tournament: Mar 9,10 &12 Lawler Events Center, Reno, NV
West Coast In Gonzaga
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: The big boys breathed a huge sigh of relief when Gonzaga gutted out a tight OT win versus a better than advertised USD squad, now they have to hope that Loyola Marymount doesn't pull off the mammoth upset, so the Bulldogs will not take an at-large bid.
West Coast Conference Tournament Championship: Loyola Marymount at Gonzaga- 10p McCartney Athletic Center Spokane, WA
Automatic Bid Clinched: Penn (Ivy) Winthrop (Big South), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Southern Illnois (Missouri Valley) , Murray State (Ohio Valley) and Davidson (Southern Conference) 1 bid conferences (tourney winners): Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no other expected at-large bid from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun (Belmont), Big Sky, Big South (Winthrop), Big West, Horizon, Ivy (Penn), MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley (Murray State), Southern (Davidson), 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 3/6
Penn became the first team with a guaranteed slot Friday, as they clinched the Ivy League title. Since that league is the only D-1 conference without a conference tourney, their league clinch gets them a dance ticket. Over the weekend Belmont, Winthrop, Southern Illnois , Murray State and Davidson also punched their dance ticket as well The West Coast Conference MAAC and Colonial play their championship games tonight. Only the Missouri Valley looks to be a conference that may get multiple bids of the conferences that crowned champs this weekend. Also only in the event the Gonzaga gets beat will their be multiple bids from the West Coast. The Colonial is just as crazy as a couple teams are deserving of bids.
Atlantic Coast
Locks Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Work to Do Florida State
Win it to get in it Field
KJ Sez: Forget Duke, UNC might be the team no one wants to deal with. Fla. State is still in the work to do column, though they are looking more and more like a lock.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Greensboro Coliseum; Greensboro, NC
Atlantic 10
Lock George Washington
Win it to Get in it Charlotte
KJ Sez: You know, maybe G-Dub isn't in as much danger of losing their 2 seed as I thought. A 1 seed may be a stretch, but possible. The Colonials finished a perfect A-10 season with a thrilling OT win versus a snakebit Charlotte team. The Niners are NIT bound unless they win it all. Which is something the big boys don't want to happen.
Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 US Bank Arena, Cincinnati
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Cincy
Work To Do Seton Hall, Syracuse
KJ Sez: Syracuse may have blown their to bits with an abysmal blowout loss to lowly Depaul and a senior day thumping by 'Nova While the Cats have struggled, getting a woodshed treatment does more harm. The Cuse is trouble. Seton Hall may have locked themselves in with a stunna at Pitt and Cincy got a badly needed win against West Virginia. In short, the Cats and Pirates are doing what they need to do to get in and the Orange are trying to play their way out. Big East Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Madison Square Garden, New York
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Work To Do Indiana
Win It to Get in it Minnesota
KJ Sez: Gee this sounds like something I said last year. Everyone squawks (Jay Bilas the loudest) that Indiana should get in, why? They lost 7 of 8 at one point. Yes they have played a decent non-conference schedule, but their only notable win came against UK and that was soooo long ago. The committee wants to see what a team has done lately and they are doing nothing to impress me or the committee. If they don't take a 1st round plunge, I'll entertain talk of them getting in. Big Ten Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Big 12
Locks Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas , Texas A&M
Work To Do Colorado
Win It to get in Nebraska
KJ Sez: Nebraska needs to get to the Big 12 finals, if not win to have a shot. Colorado went from In to needing work as they have gotten repeated blastings. With lots of deserving bubble teams, the Buffs had better get right or get left on Selection Sunday
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 American Airlines Center, Dallas
C-USA
In Memphis
Work To Do UAB
Win it to Get In it UTEP
Bandit Sez:The C-USA tourney is set up perfect for a Tiger victory parade and only UAB could even hope to stop it. Memphis is playing on its home court and will get the early game times all the way to the Saturday morning final. IF UTEP wants to crash this party they had better hope to play their best right now.
Conference USA Tournament: Mar 8-11 FedEx Forum, Memphis.
Colonial
Lock George Mason
Work To Do Hofstra
Win It To Get in it UNC-Wilmington
KJ Sez: George Mason is safe despite their semifinal loss, Hofstra should get in, if UNCW wins it'll make it harder for some of the other bubble teams.
Colonial Athletic Association Conference Tournament Final: Hofstra vs UNC-Wilmington 7p- Richmond Coliseum, Richmond Va.
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State
Work To Do Air Force Win It to Get In it BYU
KJ Sez: SDSU is safe unless they lose the tourney opener. Air Force and BYU may be playing an elimination game Friday night. BYU may just need to run the table.
Mountain West Conference Tournament: Mar 7, 9-11 Pepsi Center; Denver
Mid-American
Locks- either Akron, Kent St but not both
Work To Do Miami, Northern Illinois
KJ Sez: Akron and Kent are on opposite sides of the MAC Bracket and may face off in the title game, Miami's best chance to get a serious look is to ruin that equasion and upset Kent in the MAC semis. NIU is guaranteed nothing unless they get to the MAC title game themselves
Mid American Conference Tournament: Mar 6 (Campus Sites) Mar 9-11 Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
Missouri Valley
Clinched Bid Southern Illnois
Locks Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Bradley
Hoping for the Best Missouri St, Creighton
Bandit Sez: Salute the Salukis! They held off a game Bradley squad to earn a Tournament bid and will rest easy. The Braves have forced their way into the picture with an impressive run to the MVC title game. The Shockers and Panthers have impressive resumes and should be in. On the other hand, Missouri State put themselves in deep trouble as did Creighton with their first round losses. The winner and three at larges get in.
Missouri Valley Conference Winner: Southern Illinois
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, Washington, Arizona
Work To Do Stanford
Win It To Get In It USC
KJ Sez:If Stanford beats Arizona they might just get in, USC has got to beat Cal, and likely Washington to get a serious look.
Pacific 10 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11, Staples Center; Los Angeles
Patriot
Lock Bucknell
Win It To Get In It Holy Cross
Hoping for the Best Lehigh
Bandit Sez: Holy Cross has four days to figure how to beat the rampaging Bison on their home court. If they can they will get a bid. Bucknell will go regardless. Lehigh's loss leaves them the odd man out
Patriot League Tournament Final: Mar 10th-4:30p Holy Cross at Bucknell- Sojka Pavillion; Lewisburg, PA
SEC
Locks Tennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama, Arkansas, UK
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: UK's win in Knoxville gets them in...grudgingly. Even despite their senior day thumping by Florida. Unless something screwy happens in Nashville the aforementioned five get in. Southeastern Conference Tournament: Mar 9-12 Gaylord Events Center; Nashville
WAC
Lock Nevada
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: Nevada is the only true lock here. The WAC tourney is on their floor and the tourney bid is theirs to lose
Western Athletic Conference Tournament: Mar 9,10 &12 Lawler Events Center, Reno, NV
West Coast In Gonzaga
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: The big boys breathed a huge sigh of relief when Gonzaga gutted out a tight OT win versus a better than advertised USD squad, now they have to hope that Loyola Marymount doesn't pull off the mammoth upset, so the Bulldogs will not take an at-large bid.
West Coast Conference Tournament Championship: Loyola Marymount at Gonzaga- 10p McCartney Athletic Center Spokane, WA
Automatic Bid Clinched: Penn (Ivy) Winthrop (Big South), Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Southern Illnois (Missouri Valley) , Murray State (Ohio Valley) and Davidson (Southern Conference) 1 bid conferences (tourney winners): Tourney winners of the following will get the auto bid with no other expected at-large bid from the conference: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun (Belmont), Big Sky, Big South (Winthrop), Big West, Horizon, Ivy (Penn), MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley (Murray State), Southern (Davidson), 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?
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Spec Sheet 3/2
KJ's 2006 NCAA Bid Spec Sheet
Picks as of 3/2
The smaller conferences start their dance ticket chase, while some bubble teams solidify their tourney chances with stunning home wins over top ten teams. The field listing under some league are the teams left in that particular conference that could theoritcally earn the berth by winning
Atlantic Coast
Locks Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Work to Do Virginia, Florida State
Win it to get in it Field
KJ Sez: Florida State may have gotten itself a dance ticket, provided they don't bomb out against Miami and in the Acc tourney
Atlantic 10
In George Washington
Win it to Get in it Charlotte
Bandit Sez: Pops Mensah-Bonsu is out till the NCAA tourney, which may hurt GW's chances at a #2 seed
Big 12
Locks Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas , Texas A&M
Win It to get in Nebraska
KJ Sez: A&M stunned the Longhorns and now has the eye catching win that the selection committee likes to see. Unless they flop in the Big 12 tourney next week, they get in. Nebraska needs to win out and get to the Big 12 finals, if not win the whole shootin' match to have a shot.
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Syracuse, Cincy
Work To Do Seton Hall
KJ Sez: I'm still not convinced Seton Hall gets in, Cincy hurt its seeding chances with a lackluster loss to the Pirates and may need to upset West Va. and win one in Big East tourney, but I still have 'em in for now...
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Work To Do Indiana
Win It to Get in it Minnesota
KJ Sez: Ohio State and Iowa are trying to get the top spot in the Big Ten while Minnesota blew any chance they had
C-USA
In Memphis
Win it to Get In it UAB, UTEP
KJ Sez:Memphis is looking more and more like the only entry from this conference, UAB and UTEP wish that the Tigers had've gotten accepted to the Big East
Colonial
LockGeorge Mason
Work To Do Hofstra
Win It To Get in it UNC-Wilmington, Old Dominion
KJ Sez: George Mason is safe, The team that advanced the furthest between Hofstra, UNCW and ODU has the inside track for the at-large berth.
Colonial Athletic Association Conference Tournament: Mar 3-6 Richmond Coliseum, Richmond Va.
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State
Work To Do Air Force
Win It to Get In it BYU Bandit Sez: SDSU is safe unless they do something ignorant like lose the tourney opener, 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 Bandit Sez: Nothing has changed here but only one of the in teams will make it.
Missouri Valley
Locks Wichita State, Missouri State, Creighton
Work To Do Southern Illinois
Win It To Get In It Northern Iowa
KJ Sez: The Shockers and Bears are still safe regardless and the Blue Jays are in decent shape only needing to not lose in their conference opener. Northern Iowa losing a heartbreaker to SIU last Saturday means that they may have to get to the MVC finals to get a look. SIU needs to win at least one win to be safe
Missouri Valley Conference Tournament: Mar 2-5 Savvis Center St. Louis
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, Washington, Arizona
Win It To Get In It 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
Lock Bucknell
Work To Do' Lehigh
Win It To Get In It 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 Patriot League Tournament: Mar 3-5 (First 3 rounds Lewisburg, PA & Worcester, MA) Mar 10th (Championship at Highest Remaing Seed)
SEC
LocksTennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama, Arkansas, UK
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: To quote a line from rock supergroup Queen "Are Ya Happy? Are Ya Satisified??? UK's gutty win in Knoxville gets them in...grudgingly
WAC
Lock Nevada
Win It To Get In It Utah State, New Mexico State
KJ Sez: Nevada held off Utah State Saturday and barring an epic collapse are in good shape. Utah State and New Mexico State need to run the table
West Coast
In Gonzaga
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: Gonzaga got pushed but finished its perfect regular season conference run. Two more wins on its home court gets them a #2 seed. The deck is reaqlly stacked against its opponents, as 6 of the other 8 teams in the conferences have to win 3 or 4 games to win the tournament, only Loyola Marymount gets a free pass to the conference Semis and even if they win they still have to break the Bulldogs lengthy conference and home winning streaks.
West Coast Conference Tournament: Mar 3-6 McCartney Athletic Center Spokane, WA
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 3/2
The smaller conferences start their dance ticket chase, while some bubble teams solidify their tourney chances with stunning home wins over top ten teams. The field listing under some league are the teams left in that particular conference that could theoritcally earn the berth by winning
Atlantic Coast
Locks Duke, Bost College, UNC, NC State
Work to Do Virginia, Florida State
Win it to get in it Field
KJ Sez: Florida State may have gotten itself a dance ticket, provided they don't bomb out against Miami and in the Acc tourney
Atlantic 10
In George Washington
Win it to Get in it Charlotte
Bandit Sez: Pops Mensah-Bonsu is out till the NCAA tourney, which may hurt GW's chances at a #2 seed
Big 12
Locks Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas , Texas A&M
Win It to get in Nebraska
KJ Sez: A&M stunned the Longhorns and now has the eye catching win that the selection committee likes to see. Unless they flop in the Big 12 tourney next week, they get in. Nebraska needs to win out and get to the Big 12 finals, if not win the whole shootin' match to have a shot.
Big East
In- W. Va, UConn, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Georgetown, Syracuse, Cincy
Work To Do Seton Hall
KJ Sez: I'm still not convinced Seton Hall gets in, Cincy hurt its seeding chances with a lackluster loss to the Pirates and may need to upset West Va. and win one in Big East tourney, but I still have 'em in for now...
Big 10
In Illinois Michigan Wisconsin, Iowa , Michigan State, Ohio State
Work To Do Indiana
Win It to Get in it Minnesota
KJ Sez: Ohio State and Iowa are trying to get the top spot in the Big Ten while Minnesota blew any chance they had
C-USA
In Memphis
Win it to Get In it UAB, UTEP
KJ Sez:Memphis is looking more and more like the only entry from this conference, UAB and UTEP wish that the Tigers had've gotten accepted to the Big East
Colonial
LockGeorge Mason
Work To Do Hofstra
Win It To Get in it UNC-Wilmington, Old Dominion
KJ Sez: George Mason is safe, The team that advanced the furthest between Hofstra, UNCW and ODU has the inside track for the at-large berth.
Colonial Athletic Association Conference Tournament: Mar 3-6 Richmond Coliseum, Richmond Va.
Mountain West
Lock San Diego State
Work To Do Air Force
Win It to Get In it BYU Bandit Sez: SDSU is safe unless they do something ignorant like lose the tourney opener, 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 Bandit Sez: Nothing has changed here but only one of the in teams will make it.
Missouri Valley
Locks Wichita State, Missouri State, Creighton
Work To Do Southern Illinois
Win It To Get In It Northern Iowa
KJ Sez: The Shockers and Bears are still safe regardless and the Blue Jays are in decent shape only needing to not lose in their conference opener. Northern Iowa losing a heartbreaker to SIU last Saturday means that they may have to get to the MVC finals to get a look. SIU needs to win at least one win to be safe
Missouri Valley Conference Tournament: Mar 2-5 Savvis Center St. Louis
Pac-10
In UCLA, Cal, Washington, Arizona
Win It To Get In It 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
Lock Bucknell
Work To Do' Lehigh
Win It To Get In It 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 Patriot League Tournament: Mar 3-5 (First 3 rounds Lewisburg, PA & Worcester, MA) Mar 10th (Championship at Highest Remaing Seed)
SEC
LocksTennessee, Florida, LSU, 'Bama, Arkansas, UK
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: To quote a line from rock supergroup Queen "Are Ya Happy? Are Ya Satisified??? UK's gutty win in Knoxville gets them in...grudgingly
WAC
Lock Nevada
Win It To Get In It Utah State, New Mexico State
KJ Sez: Nevada held off Utah State Saturday and barring an epic collapse are in good shape. Utah State and New Mexico State need to run the table
West Coast
In Gonzaga
Win It To Get In It Field
KJ Sez: Gonzaga got pushed but finished its perfect regular season conference run. Two more wins on its home court gets them a #2 seed. The deck is reaqlly stacked against its opponents, as 6 of the other 8 teams in the conferences have to win 3 or 4 games to win the tournament, only Loyola Marymount gets a free pass to the conference Semis and even if they win they still have to break the Bulldogs lengthy conference and home winning streaks.
West Coast Conference Tournament: Mar 3-6 McCartney Athletic Center Spokane, WA
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?
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