The was a absolute bomb dropped in college basketball. Orlando "Tubby"
Smith who won 263 games in ten years at the University of Kentucky
abruptly resigned and took the head coaching position at the University
of Minnesota. He takes over for interim coach Jim Molinari who took over
when Dan Monson was fired early in the season. The Golden Gophers who
went to the NCAA Final Four in 1997 and won the NIT in 1998 has fallen
on hard times as of late and went 9-22 in 2006-07 and looked inept and
pathetic in a 49-40 snooze fest loss to Michigan. I had speculated that
Tubby was going to leave for Michigan's position which was recently
vacated by Tommy Amaker who was fired after a 22-12 season. But I also
didnt think that any move would be made until at least after the tourney
was finished.
I liked Tubby, he was a class act. The problem was he could never
satisfy the UK fans, who believe that dominating the SEC and getting
deep in the NCAA tourney if not winning the whole thing is a birthright.
I have had UK fans tell me that anything short of the Final Four is a
losing season to them. I know of people who root for Kentucky that think
that if they don't win the national championship, that its an outrage.
Nevermind that there are better teams. Nevermind that not all the best
players in the state stay in Kentucky, but its never good enough for
Wildcat Nation. Smith won a national title his first year at UK, but the
vocal critics cried that he was winning with his predecessor players. It
is no big secret that I detest the preening egotistical Rick Pitino and
his mentality of that it was about him. After UK lost a tight NCAA
tourney game in 1995 he basically said that he coached great but the
players lost the game. He said this in the press conference after the
game with three of his heartbroken seniors sitting right there. Pitino
used to swear up and down that he loved Kentucky and he would never
leave. I knew that was a lie and when he bolted for the lure of total
control of the Celtics, I wasn't surprised. Many in Wildcat nation were
and I saw some openly weeping. Tubby walked into an untenable situation,
win right now. He did and did so with a grace, class and aplomb that
surprised some. Smith was a community leader and was highly regarded,
but he didn't win enough. And he heard the constant carping who didn't
see and average of 26-8 record, 10 straight NCAA appearances, and at
least one win in the tourney every year. Smith now heads to Minnesota
and he has been regarded as an incoming hero. He will not hear the
wisecracks and the "Tubba should be farred" from the crackas and necks.
UK will rue that they ran off one of the great coaches in basketball.
When the Gophers are the tough team that they used to be and teams hate
to go to "The Barn" it'll be no shock.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Down to 16
From 65 on Mar 11th to 64 on the 13th to 48 on 15th to 32 on the 16th to 24 on the 17th there have been some wild games a sprinkling of upsets and 16 teams now left. I'll peruse the teams that are left and their chances to move on to Atlanta.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
NCAA Preview
With Niagara beating Florida A&M 77-69 in Dayton, the field is now 64.
The mission is very clear. Go on a 6 game winning streak. For some teams
that objective is easier said than done, Consider some facts while you
peruse the brackets.
The mission is very clear. Go on a 6 game winning streak. For some teams
that objective is easier said than done, Consider some facts while you
peruse the brackets.
No team #16 has won a tournament game...Niagara beating FAMU doesn't
count they are playing for the right to be the #16 seeded team. Since
the tournament went to 64 teams in 1985 #16 seeded teams are 0-84. About
the closest thing to a a stone cold lock you have is a #1 seed in the
first round.
The chances are a little better if your team is seeded #15 those seeded
there are 2-82...good luck
The best seed to spring an upset is the 5-12 which has seen
No team seeded lower than 11 has made it to the Final Four. George
Mason last year joined LSU as the only double digit seed to make the
final four.
There has yet to be a Final Four with all four #1 seeds making it
through. There have been 3 #1 seeds making it to the final four and the
team not seeded #1 has won the title. (Most recently Arizona in 1997
who became the first team to beat 3 #1 seeds to win the title (Kansas
was the #1 in the region Arizona won, and the Wildcats beat North
Carolina in Dean Smith's final game and defending champ UK to win the
title)
The Brackets go back to directional regions, (thank goodness) Though
the sites are not regional specfic, the NCAA took the measure of trying
to keep teams as close to home as possible. Which explains how
Louisville (75 mins), Xavier (90 mins) and Ohio State (3.5 hrs) are all
heading to Lexington
Let the madness begin, we'll look at the Thursday Games today and the
Friday Games tomorrow. If I can do it I'll try to preview the second
round games as well. I've grouped the games by the venue
1st Round games played at HSBC Center; Buffalo, NY
#13 Davidson (29-4, SoCon Champs) vs #4 Maryland (24-8 ACC At Large)
12:20 EDT-Midwest Regional
Led by sharpshooter Stephen Curry (son of former NBA Dell, a
sharpshooter in his own right) the Wildcats play a frentic high tempo
game. They are a handful. A team with tourney experience they took #2
seed Ohio State to the last minute last year. The Terrapins are a wild
combo of experience and youth with a veteran frontcourt led by Senior
Forward DJ Strawberry (Son of MLB slugger Darryl) and a young backcourt
led by guards Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes. Look for Davidson to try
to jack up the tempo and try to rattle the young Terrapin guards. I
think the Wildcats make the Terrapins sweat but lose a tight one.
#12 Old Dominion (24-8, Colonial At Large) vs #5 Butler (27-6 Horizon
At Large)
approx. 2:45-Midwest Regional
Two teams that come from mid-majors but have the chops to earn at-large
bids meet in an intriguing 5-12 matchup. Butler plays a methodical
disciplined game and AJ Graves has the long range accuracy to bomb any
opponent into submission. They won the preseason NIT by knocking off
Notre Dame, Indiana, Tennessee, and Gonzaga which adds serious weight to
their resume since all of the aformentioned squads are all in the field
of 64. Old Dominion has a solid team in its own right led by Drew
Williamson and Valdas Vasylius. Vasylius was a first team All-Colonial
and averages close to 16 ppg. This game reeks of upset potential, but
the Bulldogs want to validate their high seeding and I think they will
pull away late.
#11 Virginia Commonwealth (27-6 Colonial Champs) vs #6 Duke (22-10 ACC
At Large)
7:10 West Regional
Its A Fact-This is the lowest the Blue Devils have been seeded since
1996 and only their 3rd time being placed in the West region
#14 Wright State (23-9 Horizon Champs) vs Pittsburgh (27-7 Big East At
Large)
Approx 9:40 EDT West Regional
Its A Fact-This is the first time that two Horizon League teams have made the NCAA in the same year
The Raiders have pluck by winning the Horizon, but in all reality the Panthers have too much muscle and brawn
Games played at Lawrence Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem NC
#10 Texas Tech (21-12 Big 12 At Large) vs #7 Boston College (20-11 ACC At
Large)
12:25 EDT East Regional
Its A Fact- Texas Tech has had a winning season in each of its four seasons under Bob Knight
The Red Raiders were a bit of a surprise getting into the tourney. BC made it into the tourney based on a strong start and sloughed off at the end. I think that Knight's postseason experience is a bit overrated. BC has a smallish front line and Tech might be able to exploit that with the scoring of Jarrius Jackson. This will be a good game but I think BC will pull it out
#15 Belmont (23-9 Atlantic Sun Champs) vs #2 Georgetown (26-6 Big East
Champs)
2:45 EDT East Regional
Its A Fact-Georgetown comes reaches the tourney as Big East Champs for the 1st time since 1989
The Big East Champs come in on a roll, Belmont is solid but they have no answer for Roy Hibbert and Patrick Ewing Jr. and should consider it a moral victory to keep the game close for a half.
#9 Michigan State (22-11 Big Ten At Large) vs #8 Marquette (24-9 Big East
At Large)
7:20 EDT East Regional
Its A Fact-This is the first tourney meeting between Tom Izzo and his protege Tom Crean
Many people were surprised to see the Spartans get a bid, but Tom Izzo always has a rugged team come tourney time and will be a handful. Marquete has flown under the radar for the most part all season, but has a talent guard corps in Dominic James and Wes Matthews. But without defensive stopper Jerrel McNeal the Golden Eagles could be in some trouble against the Spartans Drew Nietzel who is never scared to shoot. Problem is for both teams is that the winner gets a UNC team that is hella good. I still think in the first meeting, teacher beats student almost every time. No exception here.
#16 Eastern Kentucky (21-11 Ohio Valley Champs) vs North Carolina (28-6
ACC Champs)
9:40 EDT East Regional
Its A Fact
This game is in the Heels backyard, and it could get real ugly.
Games played at Rupp Arena; Lexington, KY
Stanford (18-12 Pac-10 At Large) vs Louisville (23-9 Big East At Large)
12:30 South Regional
Its A Fact-The Cards have played four tourney games in Lexington
The Cards are playing less than two hours from home, the Cardinal should be apologizing for even being here. Look for the Cards experience to shine through here.
#14Penn (23-9 Ivy Champs) vs #3Texas A&M (25-6 Big 12 Champs)
2:40-South Regional
Its A Fact-Penn or Princeton has represented the Ivy Group in the NCAA 14 of the past 15 years
#16 CCSU (22-11 NEC Champs) vs #1Ohio St (30-3 Big Ten Champs)
7:10 South Regional-
Its A Fact
This game may be close for a couple minutes...maybe. The Oden gang have bigger things to look at than a scrappy Blue Devil team just happy to be in the dance
#9 Xavier (24-8 Atlantic 10 At Large) vs #8 BYU (25-8 Mountain West)
approx. 9:50 South Regional
Its A Fact-
An intriguing matchup indeed,
Games played at Arco Arena, Sacramento
#14 Oral Roberts (23-10, Mid-Continent Champs) vs Washington State (25-7 Pac-10 At Large)
2:40 East Regional
Its A Fact
#11 George Washington (23-8 Atlantic Ten Champs) vs Vanderbilt (20-11 Southeastern At Large)
5:00 East Regional
Its A Fact
#15 Weber State (20-11 Big Sky Champs) vs #2 UCLA (26-5 Pac-10 At Large)
7:25 West Regional
Its A Fact
#10 Gonzaga (23-10 West Coast Champs) vs #7 Indiana (20-10 Big Ten At Large)
9:45 West Regional
Its A Fact
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Spec Sheet 3/10
2007 NCAA Spec Sheet
Picks as of 3/10
Friday was an extremely busy day and I apologize for not posting as promised but there was lots of upsets, wild games and just plain great basketball. I’ll post who I think is in now and who is hoping for the best and the final word on how many bids will be handed out. I got 63 of the 65 last year. But for all intents and purposes this is the last best spec on who goes and who bubble will burst. The NIT is now controlled by the NCAA so it's anyones guess at how that will work out, but the teams are all fighting to be one of the chosen 65, and that number has already shrunk to 50 this morning and by days end 11 more auto bids will be handed out, reducing the available spots to 39 and the final five auto bids are won Sunday. Which leaves the 35 at large berths. It may be called madness, but it is so much fun.
The following conferences will get multiple bids teams listed are the ones with the best chances
Atlantic Coast
Locks- North Carolina, Duke, Va. Tech, Virginia, Bost. College, Maryland Hopin’ For the Best Georgia Tech, Florida State , NC State
Bids Predicted-7
Duke will sweat all day Sunday, as long as NC State doesn’t do something crazy like win the ACC, the should still be in. They do so undeservedly but I think the selection committee gives Coach K and his team the lifetime achievement pass and gives them a sympathy bid. Maryland should be worried as well, their 1st round loss, may have the selection committee questioning their worthiness. But I think if Duke’s name pops up tomorrow, the Terps should be there. Georgia Tech’s numbers are good enough, but Florida State needed a better performance against North Carolina. If the ACC gets 7 Georgia Tech is the one that gets in, but the ‘Noles are on the outside looking in, but I still say neither gets in.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: March 8-11 St. Pete Times Forum, St. Petersburg, Florida
Atlantic Ten
Lock- Xavier
Hopin for the Best-Rhode Island, St. Louis
Bids Predicted-2
Xavier might have cost itself a 5 or 6 seed with its loss to Rhode Island. Two teams get in here. I would be stunned if X gets locked out. Atlantic Ten Confernce Championship: Rhode Island vs George Washington 7p-Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City
Big East
Locks- Pitt, Marquette, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville
Hopin For the Best- West Virginia Villanova, Syracuse
Bids Predicted-5
Pitt and G-Town are playing for seeding. Notre Dame and Louisville have no worries and Marquette will get a lower seed but will be in. Pundits have Nova in, but if they get in how do you overlook West Virginia??? I can’t see them one in and one out. If you see Nova in, the Mountaineers had better be. But I don’t think either deserve it.
Big East Conference Championship: Pitt vs Georgetown
8p-Madison Square Garden New York City
Big Ten
Locks-Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana
Good Shape Illinois, Purdue
Hopin For The Best- Michigan, Michigan State
Bids Predicted-5
Of The five in the second line. I’m conflicted. I really don’t like any of them, but I know better than to think that the Big Ten will only get three. If Illinois gets to the final, they get in. But MSU is the one team that let me down, they will sweat all day Sunday. Purdue getting bounced in the Big 10 semis, may have doomed them. They would have caught some dap with a win over Big Ten bully OSU. I have five in, though of the GS and Hopin group, they are too close to call.
Big Ten Conference Tournament: March 8-11 United Center, Chicago
Big 12
Locks-Kansas, Texas A&M , Texas
Good Shape- Kansas State
Hopin for the best- Texas Tech, Oklahoma State
Bids Predicted-4
Oh now I get it, Oklahoma State now wants to play ball. Their late dash down the stretch in a pitiful attempt to get late sympathy may work with the media wonks but I’m not buyin’ it. These same media wonks want you to believe that Kansas State is not worthy of a bid, but the way they slammed Tech on Friday made that talk look foolish. Tech is going home for an NIT game, and so are the Pokes unless they take the title outright, but four is all I see here
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Colonial
In-VCU
Hopin’ And Wishin- Drexel, Old Dominion
Bids Predicted-2
VCU is in and that’s a fact not spec. The one who is hopin’ is Drexel and I want them to go. Billy Packer and his ilk may whine, but this is a team no one wants to face in the tourney. The same holds true for Old Dominion who swept the Dragons. I’ve got one more in addition to VCU
Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Champion: Virginia Commonwealth over George Mason 65-59
Conference USA
In-Memphis
Ho-Hum, the Tigers won their invitational…err the C-USA tourney and are in with the first unbeaten C-USA season and tourney championship (Cincy went unbeaten in the 99-00 season but lost in the C-USA quarters)
Conference USA Championship: Memphis 71-59 over Houston
Horizon
In-Wright State
Looking Good-Butler
Bids Predicted-2
The Raiders are waiting to see where they’ll go and Butler just won’t have the auto bid title next to their name, but they are going too.
Horizon Conference Tournament Championship: Wright State 65 Butler 59
Missouri Valley
In- Creighton
Good Shape- Southern Illinois
Hopin’ and Wishin’ Bradley, Missouri State
Bids Predicted-3
Bluejays won the auto bid, and the Salukis are beyond reproach. The in list might not extend to Missouri State who despite a solid resume might get caught on the wrong side. I’ve got three here, but that’s a shaky number.
Missouri Valley Conference Champion: Creighton 67-61 over Southern Illinois
Mountain West
Locks- Brigham Young, UNLV
Hopin and Wishin’- Air Force
Bids Predicted-2
In what looked to be a four bids league two weeks ago, now might only get two bids. Air Force has done a frightening nose dive and their shameful loss to MWC also ran Wyoming might have sent them to the NIT. The Cougars and Rebels are merely playing for seeding. The Rebels are the “road” team on their own court.
Mountain West Conference Championship: BYU vs UNLV
7p Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
Pacific 10
Locks- UCLA, Oregon, Wash. St, USC, Arizona
Hopin’ and Wishin’-Stanford, Washington
Bids Predicted-5
The Locks are set and going, Arizona needed to get to the Pac-10 semis, did so and will go. Had Stanford beat SC, they would have gotten to lock status, but their fall from ahead loss, puts them out. The Huskies did too little too late and their lackluster loss to Wazzu puts them on the outside as well.
Pacific Ten Championship: Oregon vs Southern Cal- 6p Staples Center, Los Angeles
Southeastern
Locks-Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Good Shape- UK
Hopin’ And Wishin’ Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Arkansas
Bids Predicted-5
Oh hush Wildcat Nation, you are going and you know it. Those numbers are too damn good to justify keeping you out. I was thinking at first that one of the three in the H&W class will go. But with Ole Miss and Mississipi State both out, The bubble team left is Arkansas and I think they would need to win it to get in.
Southeastern Conference Tournament: March 8-11 Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Western Athletic
Lock-Nevada
Hopin For the Best New Mexico St, Utah St
Bids Predicted-2
Utah State made the bubble teams sweat more with their stunning upset over Nevada. The Wolfpack are in, but I can guarantee that a team nicknamed the Aggies will win the WAC. (Both teams have that nickname) If New Mexico State wins the auto berth they will have done it despite trying very hard to give it away.
Western Athletic Conference Championship: Utah State vs New Mexico State 9p Pan American Center Las Cruces, New Mexico
West Coast
In-Gonzaga
Hopin and Wishin’-Santa Clara
Bids Predicted-1
Gonzaga has remade itself with a nice WCC tourney run. Santa Clara gave it a go, but I can’t them getting in.
West Coast Conference Tournament Champions:-Gonzaga, 77-68 over Santa Clara
Other teams in the Mix:
Appalachian State-They have solid numbers but are from a small conference and lost to College of Charleston in the SoCon Semis
Akron-Still could get the auto bid outright with a win over Miami-Ohio but have decent enough numbers to get an at-large berth
UMass-Flu bug bit and may sent the Minutemen to the NIT
NC State- Only if they win the ACC title, do they get in
San Diego State- I was championing for the Aztecs until their loss to Colorado State in the MWC quarters 10 losses and a weak profile dooms them.
The following conference tournament winners will also receive an automatic bid (those that have earned a bid are listed with conference in parentheses) : Albany (Amer. East) , Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Weber St. (Big Sky), Winthrop (Big South), Big West , Winthrop (Colonial) Penn (Ivy), MAC, MAAC (Niagara) , MEAC, Mid-Continent (Oral Roberts) ,Central Connecticut (Northeast), Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Holy Cross (Patriot) Davidson (Southern) , Southland, Sun Belt (North Texas) , SWAC
The Spec review will be on Monday with a regional preview Wednesday
Picks as of 3/10
Friday was an extremely busy day and I apologize for not posting as promised but there was lots of upsets, wild games and just plain great basketball. I’ll post who I think is in now and who is hoping for the best and the final word on how many bids will be handed out. I got 63 of the 65 last year. But for all intents and purposes this is the last best spec on who goes and who bubble will burst. The NIT is now controlled by the NCAA so it's anyones guess at how that will work out, but the teams are all fighting to be one of the chosen 65, and that number has already shrunk to 50 this morning and by days end 11 more auto bids will be handed out, reducing the available spots to 39 and the final five auto bids are won Sunday. Which leaves the 35 at large berths. It may be called madness, but it is so much fun.
The following conferences will get multiple bids teams listed are the ones with the best chances
Atlantic Coast
Locks- North Carolina, Duke, Va. Tech, Virginia, Bost. College, Maryland Hopin’ For the Best Georgia Tech, Florida State , NC State
Bids Predicted-7
Duke will sweat all day Sunday, as long as NC State doesn’t do something crazy like win the ACC, the should still be in. They do so undeservedly but I think the selection committee gives Coach K and his team the lifetime achievement pass and gives them a sympathy bid. Maryland should be worried as well, their 1st round loss, may have the selection committee questioning their worthiness. But I think if Duke’s name pops up tomorrow, the Terps should be there. Georgia Tech’s numbers are good enough, but Florida State needed a better performance against North Carolina. If the ACC gets 7 Georgia Tech is the one that gets in, but the ‘Noles are on the outside looking in, but I still say neither gets in.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: March 8-11 St. Pete Times Forum, St. Petersburg, Florida
Atlantic Ten
Lock- Xavier
Hopin for the Best-Rhode Island, St. Louis
Bids Predicted-2
Xavier might have cost itself a 5 or 6 seed with its loss to Rhode Island. Two teams get in here. I would be stunned if X gets locked out. Atlantic Ten Confernce Championship: Rhode Island vs George Washington 7p-Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City
Big East
Locks- Pitt, Marquette, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville
Hopin For the Best- West Virginia Villanova, Syracuse
Bids Predicted-5
Pitt and G-Town are playing for seeding. Notre Dame and Louisville have no worries and Marquette will get a lower seed but will be in. Pundits have Nova in, but if they get in how do you overlook West Virginia??? I can’t see them one in and one out. If you see Nova in, the Mountaineers had better be. But I don’t think either deserve it.
Big East Conference Championship: Pitt vs Georgetown
8p-Madison Square Garden New York City
Big Ten
Locks-Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana
Good Shape Illinois, Purdue
Hopin For The Best- Michigan, Michigan State
Bids Predicted-5
Of The five in the second line. I’m conflicted. I really don’t like any of them, but I know better than to think that the Big Ten will only get three. If Illinois gets to the final, they get in. But MSU is the one team that let me down, they will sweat all day Sunday. Purdue getting bounced in the Big 10 semis, may have doomed them. They would have caught some dap with a win over Big Ten bully OSU. I have five in, though of the GS and Hopin group, they are too close to call.
Big Ten Conference Tournament: March 8-11 United Center, Chicago
Big 12
Locks-Kansas, Texas A&M , Texas
Good Shape- Kansas State
Hopin for the best- Texas Tech, Oklahoma State
Bids Predicted-4
Oh now I get it, Oklahoma State now wants to play ball. Their late dash down the stretch in a pitiful attempt to get late sympathy may work with the media wonks but I’m not buyin’ it. These same media wonks want you to believe that Kansas State is not worthy of a bid, but the way they slammed Tech on Friday made that talk look foolish. Tech is going home for an NIT game, and so are the Pokes unless they take the title outright, but four is all I see here
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Colonial
In-VCU
Hopin’ And Wishin- Drexel, Old Dominion
Bids Predicted-2
VCU is in and that’s a fact not spec. The one who is hopin’ is Drexel and I want them to go. Billy Packer and his ilk may whine, but this is a team no one wants to face in the tourney. The same holds true for Old Dominion who swept the Dragons. I’ve got one more in addition to VCU
Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Champion: Virginia Commonwealth over George Mason 65-59
Conference USA
In-Memphis
Ho-Hum, the Tigers won their invitational…err the C-USA tourney and are in with the first unbeaten C-USA season and tourney championship (Cincy went unbeaten in the 99-00 season but lost in the C-USA quarters)
Conference USA Championship: Memphis 71-59 over Houston
Horizon
In-Wright State
Looking Good-Butler
Bids Predicted-2
The Raiders are waiting to see where they’ll go and Butler just won’t have the auto bid title next to their name, but they are going too.
Horizon Conference Tournament Championship: Wright State 65 Butler 59
Missouri Valley
In- Creighton
Good Shape- Southern Illinois
Hopin’ and Wishin’ Bradley, Missouri State
Bids Predicted-3
Bluejays won the auto bid, and the Salukis are beyond reproach. The in list might not extend to Missouri State who despite a solid resume might get caught on the wrong side. I’ve got three here, but that’s a shaky number.
Missouri Valley Conference Champion: Creighton 67-61 over Southern Illinois
Mountain West
Locks- Brigham Young, UNLV
Hopin and Wishin’- Air Force
Bids Predicted-2
In what looked to be a four bids league two weeks ago, now might only get two bids. Air Force has done a frightening nose dive and their shameful loss to MWC also ran Wyoming might have sent them to the NIT. The Cougars and Rebels are merely playing for seeding. The Rebels are the “road” team on their own court.
Mountain West Conference Championship: BYU vs UNLV
7p Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
Pacific 10
Locks- UCLA, Oregon, Wash. St, USC, Arizona
Hopin’ and Wishin’-Stanford, Washington
Bids Predicted-5
The Locks are set and going, Arizona needed to get to the Pac-10 semis, did so and will go. Had Stanford beat SC, they would have gotten to lock status, but their fall from ahead loss, puts them out. The Huskies did too little too late and their lackluster loss to Wazzu puts them on the outside as well.
Pacific Ten Championship: Oregon vs Southern Cal- 6p Staples Center, Los Angeles
Southeastern
Locks-Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Good Shape- UK
Hopin’ And Wishin’ Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Arkansas
Bids Predicted-5
Oh hush Wildcat Nation, you are going and you know it. Those numbers are too damn good to justify keeping you out. I was thinking at first that one of the three in the H&W class will go. But with Ole Miss and Mississipi State both out, The bubble team left is Arkansas and I think they would need to win it to get in.
Southeastern Conference Tournament: March 8-11 Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Western Athletic
Lock-Nevada
Hopin For the Best New Mexico St, Utah St
Bids Predicted-2
Utah State made the bubble teams sweat more with their stunning upset over Nevada. The Wolfpack are in, but I can guarantee that a team nicknamed the Aggies will win the WAC. (Both teams have that nickname) If New Mexico State wins the auto berth they will have done it despite trying very hard to give it away.
Western Athletic Conference Championship: Utah State vs New Mexico State 9p Pan American Center Las Cruces, New Mexico
West Coast
In-Gonzaga
Hopin and Wishin’-Santa Clara
Bids Predicted-1
Gonzaga has remade itself with a nice WCC tourney run. Santa Clara gave it a go, but I can’t them getting in.
West Coast Conference Tournament Champions:-Gonzaga, 77-68 over Santa Clara
Other teams in the Mix:
Appalachian State-They have solid numbers but are from a small conference and lost to College of Charleston in the SoCon Semis
Akron-Still could get the auto bid outright with a win over Miami-Ohio but have decent enough numbers to get an at-large berth
UMass-Flu bug bit and may sent the Minutemen to the NIT
NC State- Only if they win the ACC title, do they get in
San Diego State- I was championing for the Aztecs until their loss to Colorado State in the MWC quarters 10 losses and a weak profile dooms them.
The following conference tournament winners will also receive an automatic bid (those that have earned a bid are listed with conference in parentheses) : Albany (Amer. East) , Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Weber St. (Big Sky), Winthrop (Big South), Big West , Winthrop (Colonial) Penn (Ivy), MAC, MAAC (Niagara) , MEAC, Mid-Continent (Oral Roberts) ,Central Connecticut (Northeast), Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Holy Cross (Patriot) Davidson (Southern) , Southland, Sun Belt (North Texas) , SWAC
The Spec review will be on Monday with a regional preview Wednesday
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Spec Sheet 3/8
2007 NCAA Spec Sheet
Picks as of 3/8
More of the smaller conference crowned champions and handed out berths Tuesday and Wednesday. Led by Wright State stunning Butler for the second time in three weeks and earning the Horizon Conference auto bid. That bodes badly for some bubble teams. Butler will get an at-large bid for sure, but teams like Old Dominion, Illinois, Missouri State and Clemson start to sweat. They need mid-major tourney favorites like Gonzaga to win their respective tournament championship so that they can continue to carp about being tourney worthy. When a good team like Wright State or a Creighton wins an auto bid, no one will deny a Butler or Southern Illinois at large bids. But a smaller conference like the Colonial getting more than one bid is a reach. Sure, George Mason garnered an at-large bid last year and made the most of it, beating three former national champions on their way to the final four. It’ll be an interesting few days to be sure, especially if a Florida State or DePaul make a run into their respective conferences semi-finals or finals.
The following conferences will get multiple bids teams listed are the ones with the best chances
Atlantic Coast
Locks- North Carolina, Duke, Va. Tech, Virginia, Bost. College, Maryland Good Shape- Georgia Tech
Needs Help- Florida St., Clemson
I think 7 is a stretch, lets see what Georgia Tech can do with the momentum beating UNC and BC can do for them. But they aren’t playing in the cozy Alexander Coliseum in Atlanta.
Key Game: Duke vs NC State- 3/8 4p The reeling Blue Devils had better win here or they might be in bubble trouble land.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: March 8-11 St. Pete Times Forum, St. Petersburg, Florida
Atlantic Ten
Lock- Xavier
Needs Help Rhode Island, UMass
Xavier is on a roll and barring an unexpected early bad loss should roll into the tourney.
Atlantic Ten Confernce Tournament: March 7-10-Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City
Big East
Locks- Pitt, Marquette, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville
Needs Help- West Virginia Villanova, Syracuse
The Orange need to duplicate their tourney title run of last year and beating UConn was a good first step. The top four teams are playing for seeding.
Key Game: Notre Dame vs Syracuse 3/8 2p- If the Orange beat the Irish, they will get a lot longer look
Big East Conference Tournament: March 7-10-Madison Square Garden New York City
Big Ten
Locks-Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana
Good Shape- Illinois, Michigan State
Work To Do- Michigan, Purdue
The Locks are set, Indiana could get in even with a first round loss, but would be best advised not to test that theory. Illinois and Michigan State both need to get at least one win in the tourney
Key Game: Michigan State vs Northwestern 3/8 2:30- The Spartans dare not stumble against perennial Big Ten bottom feeder.
Big Ten Conference Tournament: March 8-11 United Center, Chicago
Big 12
Locks-Kansas, Texas A&M , Texas
Good Shape- Kansas State
Needs Help- Texas Tech
The scene in OKC is pretty clear, the Locks are playing for seeding, Kansas State needs to win at least one to solidify their bid chances, Tech needs to get to the Semis.
Key Game: Texas Tech vs Colorado: 3/8 – 3p Red Raiders are in the same position as Michigan State with respect to who they are playing and the dire consequences should they lose.
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Colonial
In-VCU
Hopin’ And Wishin- Drexel, Old Dominion
A new addition to the multiple bid line, shame on me for not giving this solid mid-major more pub. VCU rally past last years tourney darlings George Mason, who was trying to crash the NCAA party with an even louder splash than last year. But the Rams will be a tough out. The real question is a Drexel team that the big boys are praying gets locked out. They have the real potential to not only steal a game in the tourney, but be a real bracket wrecker, like the Patriots were last year. You heard it here first.
Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Champion: Virginia Commonwealth over George Mason 65-59
Horizon
In-Wright State
Looking Good-Butler
I erroneously listed this championship in Indy and better than 10,000 at the Nutter Center in Dayton were enthusiactically behind their Raiders who’s late dash to an improbable regular season and conference tourney titles give them their first NCAA berth in 14 years. The Bulldogs are still in line for a well-deserved at large berth.
Horizon Conference Championship: Wright State over Butler 65-59
Missouri Valley
In- Creighton
Good Shape- Southern Illinois
Hopin’ and Wishin’ Bradley, Missouri State
Bravo to the Bluejays! Their solid win over a ranked Southern Illinois guarantees that they will only worry about where they are going, not if. The Salukis are going to dance as well but may get a 6 or 7 seed where winning the MVC tourney to go along with their regular season title would have gotten them as high as a 4 seed. Bradley lost a heartbreaker to the Salukis and Mo State got routed by Creighton in the MVC semis and are hoping for the best, I still think that this league should get four like last year but will probably only get two.
Missouri Valley Conference Champions: Creighton 67-61 over Southern Illinois
Mountain West
Locks- Brigham Young
Good Shape-UNLV, Air Force, San Diego State
I know Mormons don’t bet, but their team in Vegas is the only real money lock. UNLV, Air Force and San Diego State need but to get to semis. The Aztecs are the shakiest of the latter three in terms of tourney worthiness. BYU is the only team that could take an early L in the WAC tourney and still get a tourney invite.
Key Game: Air Force vs Wyoming 3/8 5:30- Could the Falcons get locked out? If they lose badly to a decent Cowboys squad, it could happen
Mountain West Conference Tournament: Mar 6, 8-10 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
Pacific 10
Locks- UCLA, Oregon, Wash. St, SC
Good Shape-Arizona
Needs Help- Washington
The Huskies could realistically get to the Pac-10 finals, beating the Sun Devils then Wash. St would help. A matchup with USC would loom then. UCLA will hammer who ever they get in their first game. If Washington gets to the final and loses honorably…who knows. Five bids are realistic but if the Huskies get to Saturday they could sneak in.
Key Game: Stanford vs USC 3/8 9p- If Cardinal want to get seriously considered they need to beat the Trojans.
Pacific Ten Tournament: March 7-10 Staples Center, Los Angeles
Southeastern
Lock-Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Good Shape- UK
Work to do- Georgia, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Alabama
Only UK is really in any kind of real danger. The Work to do quartet need to get to Saturday.
Key Game: Kentucky vs Alabama Mar 8 1p UK needs to win this game to squash bubble trouble talk.
Southeastern Conference Tournament: March 8-11 Georgia Dome, Atlanta
West Coast
In-Gonzaga
Hopin and Wishin’-Santa Clara
The Bulldogs capture the bid behind a stellar performance by Derrick Ravio. The Broncos deserved a bid and their coach Dick Davey deserves better than the treatment that Santa Clara’s AD is giving them. The big boys breath a bit easier because it is unlikely that the WCC will get more than Gonzaga in
West Coast Conference Tournament Champions:Gonzaga, 77-68 over Santa Clara
1 Bid major conferences
Conference USA
Lock-Memphis
The Tigers victory lap around C-USA starts today
Conference USA Championships: Mar 7-10 FedEx Forum, Memphis
Western Athletic
Lock-Nevada
Needs Help- New Mexico St, Utah St.Nevada is in the same situation as Memphis, though a trio of big wins would get them a 3 seed. Both Aggies (New Mexico State and Utah State both have the same nickname) need to get to the finals if not win it all.
Western Athletic Conference Tournament: Mar 6-10 Pan American Center Las Cruces, New Mexico
The following conference tournament winners will also receive an automatic bid (those that have earned a bid are listed with conference in parentheses) : Amer. East, Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Big Sky, Winthrop (Big South), Big West , Winthrop (Colonial) Penn (Ivy), MAC, MAAC (Niagara) , MEAC, Mid-Continent (Oral Roberts) ,Central Connecticut (Northeast), Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Davidson (Southern) , Southland, Sun Belt (North Texas) , SWAC Remember, this is spec and nothing here is solid yet though that will change and you know that there is no chance that there will be upsets or an unseen team making a mess of this right?
Next Update: Mar 9th
Picks as of 3/8
More of the smaller conference crowned champions and handed out berths Tuesday and Wednesday. Led by Wright State stunning Butler for the second time in three weeks and earning the Horizon Conference auto bid. That bodes badly for some bubble teams. Butler will get an at-large bid for sure, but teams like Old Dominion, Illinois, Missouri State and Clemson start to sweat. They need mid-major tourney favorites like Gonzaga to win their respective tournament championship so that they can continue to carp about being tourney worthy. When a good team like Wright State or a Creighton wins an auto bid, no one will deny a Butler or Southern Illinois at large bids. But a smaller conference like the Colonial getting more than one bid is a reach. Sure, George Mason garnered an at-large bid last year and made the most of it, beating three former national champions on their way to the final four. It’ll be an interesting few days to be sure, especially if a Florida State or DePaul make a run into their respective conferences semi-finals or finals.
The following conferences will get multiple bids teams listed are the ones with the best chances
Atlantic Coast
Locks- North Carolina, Duke, Va. Tech, Virginia, Bost. College, Maryland Good Shape- Georgia Tech
Needs Help- Florida St., Clemson
I think 7 is a stretch, lets see what Georgia Tech can do with the momentum beating UNC and BC can do for them. But they aren’t playing in the cozy Alexander Coliseum in Atlanta.
Key Game: Duke vs NC State- 3/8 4p The reeling Blue Devils had better win here or they might be in bubble trouble land.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: March 8-11 St. Pete Times Forum, St. Petersburg, Florida
Atlantic Ten
Lock- Xavier
Needs Help Rhode Island, UMass
Xavier is on a roll and barring an unexpected early bad loss should roll into the tourney.
Atlantic Ten Confernce Tournament: March 7-10-Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City
Big East
Locks- Pitt, Marquette, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville
Needs Help- West Virginia Villanova, Syracuse
The Orange need to duplicate their tourney title run of last year and beating UConn was a good first step. The top four teams are playing for seeding.
Key Game: Notre Dame vs Syracuse 3/8 2p- If the Orange beat the Irish, they will get a lot longer look
Big East Conference Tournament: March 7-10-Madison Square Garden New York City
Big Ten
Locks-Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana
Good Shape- Illinois, Michigan State
Work To Do- Michigan, Purdue
The Locks are set, Indiana could get in even with a first round loss, but would be best advised not to test that theory. Illinois and Michigan State both need to get at least one win in the tourney
Key Game: Michigan State vs Northwestern 3/8 2:30- The Spartans dare not stumble against perennial Big Ten bottom feeder.
Big Ten Conference Tournament: March 8-11 United Center, Chicago
Big 12
Locks-Kansas, Texas A&M , Texas
Good Shape- Kansas State
Needs Help- Texas Tech
The scene in OKC is pretty clear, the Locks are playing for seeding, Kansas State needs to win at least one to solidify their bid chances, Tech needs to get to the Semis.
Key Game: Texas Tech vs Colorado: 3/8 – 3p Red Raiders are in the same position as Michigan State with respect to who they are playing and the dire consequences should they lose.
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Colonial
In-VCU
Hopin’ And Wishin- Drexel, Old Dominion
A new addition to the multiple bid line, shame on me for not giving this solid mid-major more pub. VCU rally past last years tourney darlings George Mason, who was trying to crash the NCAA party with an even louder splash than last year. But the Rams will be a tough out. The real question is a Drexel team that the big boys are praying gets locked out. They have the real potential to not only steal a game in the tourney, but be a real bracket wrecker, like the Patriots were last year. You heard it here first.
Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Champion: Virginia Commonwealth over George Mason 65-59
Horizon
In-Wright State
Looking Good-Butler
I erroneously listed this championship in Indy and better than 10,000 at the Nutter Center in Dayton were enthusiactically behind their Raiders who’s late dash to an improbable regular season and conference tourney titles give them their first NCAA berth in 14 years. The Bulldogs are still in line for a well-deserved at large berth.
Horizon Conference Championship: Wright State over Butler 65-59
Missouri Valley
In- Creighton
Good Shape- Southern Illinois
Hopin’ and Wishin’ Bradley, Missouri State
Bravo to the Bluejays! Their solid win over a ranked Southern Illinois guarantees that they will only worry about where they are going, not if. The Salukis are going to dance as well but may get a 6 or 7 seed where winning the MVC tourney to go along with their regular season title would have gotten them as high as a 4 seed. Bradley lost a heartbreaker to the Salukis and Mo State got routed by Creighton in the MVC semis and are hoping for the best, I still think that this league should get four like last year but will probably only get two.
Missouri Valley Conference Champions: Creighton 67-61 over Southern Illinois
Mountain West
Locks- Brigham Young
Good Shape-UNLV, Air Force, San Diego State
I know Mormons don’t bet, but their team in Vegas is the only real money lock. UNLV, Air Force and San Diego State need but to get to semis. The Aztecs are the shakiest of the latter three in terms of tourney worthiness. BYU is the only team that could take an early L in the WAC tourney and still get a tourney invite.
Key Game: Air Force vs Wyoming 3/8 5:30- Could the Falcons get locked out? If they lose badly to a decent Cowboys squad, it could happen
Mountain West Conference Tournament: Mar 6, 8-10 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
Pacific 10
Locks- UCLA, Oregon, Wash. St, SC
Good Shape-Arizona
Needs Help- Washington
The Huskies could realistically get to the Pac-10 finals, beating the Sun Devils then Wash. St would help. A matchup with USC would loom then. UCLA will hammer who ever they get in their first game. If Washington gets to the final and loses honorably…who knows. Five bids are realistic but if the Huskies get to Saturday they could sneak in.
Key Game: Stanford vs USC 3/8 9p- If Cardinal want to get seriously considered they need to beat the Trojans.
Pacific Ten Tournament: March 7-10 Staples Center, Los Angeles
Southeastern
Lock-Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Good Shape- UK
Work to do- Georgia, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Alabama
Only UK is really in any kind of real danger. The Work to do quartet need to get to Saturday.
Key Game: Kentucky vs Alabama Mar 8 1p UK needs to win this game to squash bubble trouble talk.
Southeastern Conference Tournament: March 8-11 Georgia Dome, Atlanta
West Coast
In-Gonzaga
Hopin and Wishin’-Santa Clara
The Bulldogs capture the bid behind a stellar performance by Derrick Ravio. The Broncos deserved a bid and their coach Dick Davey deserves better than the treatment that Santa Clara’s AD is giving them. The big boys breath a bit easier because it is unlikely that the WCC will get more than Gonzaga in
West Coast Conference Tournament Champions:Gonzaga, 77-68 over Santa Clara
1 Bid major conferences
Conference USA
Lock-Memphis
The Tigers victory lap around C-USA starts today
Conference USA Championships: Mar 7-10 FedEx Forum, Memphis
Western Athletic
Lock-Nevada
Needs Help- New Mexico St, Utah St.Nevada is in the same situation as Memphis, though a trio of big wins would get them a 3 seed. Both Aggies (New Mexico State and Utah State both have the same nickname) need to get to the finals if not win it all.
Western Athletic Conference Tournament: Mar 6-10 Pan American Center Las Cruces, New Mexico
The following conference tournament winners will also receive an automatic bid (those that have earned a bid are listed with conference in parentheses) : Amer. East, Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Big Sky, Winthrop (Big South), Big West , Winthrop (Colonial) Penn (Ivy), MAC, MAAC (Niagara) , MEAC, Mid-Continent (Oral Roberts) ,Central Connecticut (Northeast), Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Davidson (Southern) , Southland, Sun Belt (North Texas) , SWAC Remember, this is spec and nothing here is solid yet though that will change and you know that there is no chance that there will be upsets or an unseen team making a mess of this right?
Next Update: Mar 9th
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Spec Sheet 3/6
2007 NCAA Spec Sheet
Picks as of 3/6
Dance tickets are being printed already. Nine schools received automatic bids to the NCAA tournament over the weekend. Penn clinched the Ivy league by beating Princeton Friday. Since the Ivy is the only league with no tournament, the Quakers get the automatic bid by finishing first. Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Winthrop (Big South), Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Davidson (SoCon) and Creighton (Missouri Valley) all wrapped up their league titles and the auto bids that come with them over the weekend. Niagara (MAAC), Gonzaga (West Coast), VMI (Colonial) earned their invites Monday. This spec sheet is shorter, the key games of the big boy conferences will be detailed more on Thursday when some of the opening round games are out of the way. That spec sheet will hopefully be published before the games
The following conferences will get multiple bids teams listed are the ones with the best chances
Atlantic Coast
Locks- North Carolina, Duke, Va. Tech, Virginia, Bost. College, Maryland
Good Shape- Georgia Tech
Needs Help- Florida St., Clemson
The ugly loss at the Dean Dome Sunday might hurt the Dukies more with the loss of Gerald Henderson. Georgia Tech’s late run of shocking wins has put them in a real position to be a factor in the ACC tourney. Florida State needed a miracle to beat Miami and Clemson is still hanging on. The Locks are all beyond reproach and no matter what happens in St. Pete are playing for seeding. Can the ACC get 7 teams in?
Key Game: Duke vs NC State- 3/8 4p The reeling Blue Devils had better win here or they might be in bubble trouble land.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: March 8-11 St. Pete Times Forum, St. Petersburg, Florida
Atlantic Ten
Lock- Xavier
Needs Help Rhode Island, UMass
Xavier is on a roll and barring an unexpected early bad loss should roll into the tourney. The Rams and Minutemen need to get to the final to have any kind of chance, and a win over the Muskies would help matters.
Atlantic Ten Confernce Tournament: March 7-10-Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City
Big East
Locks- Pitt, Marquette, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville
Needs Help- Villanova, Syracuse
The ‘Cuse has nothing but excuses after a damaging loss to Villanova. Road loss or no, the Orange now have to get at least to the Big East Semis. 5 is the most realistic number I can see coming out of the Big East
Key Game: Connecticut vs Syracuse 3/7 2p- The Orange won four in four last year, a repeat may not be needed to get to the tourney, but a loss to UConn would kill any tournament chances.
Big East Conference Tournament: March 7-10-Madison Square Garden New York City
Big Ten
Locks-Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana
Good Shape- Illinois, Michigan State
Work To Do- Michigan, Purdue
The Locks are set, Indiana could get in even with a first round loss, but would be best advised not to test that theory. Illinois and Michigan State both need to get at least one win in the tourney
Big Ten Conference Tournament: March 8-11 United Center, Chicago
Big 12
Locks-Kansas, Texas A&M , Texas
Good Shape- Kansas State
Needs Help- Texas Tech
The scene in OKC is pretty clear, the Locks are playing for seeding, Kansas State needs to win at least one to solidify their bid chances, Tech needs to get to the Semis.
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Colonial
In-VCU
Hopin’ And Wishin- Drexel
A new addition to the multiple bid line, shame on me for not giving this solid mid-major more pub. VCU rally past last years tourney darlings George Mason, who was trying to crash the NCAA party with an even louder splash than last year. But the Rams will be a tough out. The real question is a Drexel team that the big boys are praying gets locked out. They have the real potential to not only steal a game in the tourney, but be a real bracket wrecker, like the Patriots were last year. You heard it here first.
Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Championship: Virginia Commonwealth over George Mason 65-59
Horizon
Lock-Butler
Needs Help-Wright State
This is the matchup that this conference tourney was waiting for. Both Wright State and Butler are tough teams but I think Butler can afford the loss.
Horizon Conference Tournament Championship: Wright State at Butler, Hinkle Fieldhouse Indianapolis Tonight
Missouri Valley
In- Creighton
Good Shape- Southern Illinois
Hopin’ and Wishin’ Bradley, Missouri State
Bravo to the Bluejays! Their solid win over a ranked Southern Illinois guarantees that they will only worry about where they are going, not if. The Salukis are going to dance as well but may get a 6 or 7 seed where winning the MVC tourney to go along with their regular season title would have gotten them as high as a 4 seed. Bradley lost a heartbreaker to the Salukis and Mo State got routed by Creighton in the MVC semis and are hoping for the best, I still think that this league should get four like last year but will probably only get two.
Missouri Valley Conference Championship: Creighton 67-61 over Southern Illinois
Mountain West
Locks- Brigham Young
Good Shape-UNLV, Air Force, San Diego State
I know Mormons don’t bet, but their team in Vegas is the only real money lock. UNLV, Air Force and San Diego State need but to get to semis. The Aztecs are the shakiest of the latter three in terms of tourney worthiness. BYU is the only team that could take an early L in the WAC tourney and still get a tourney invite.
Mountain West Conference Tournament: Mar 6, 8-10 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
Pacific 10
Locks- UCLA, Oregon, Wash. St, SC
Good Shape-Arizona
Needs Help- Washington Arizona helped itself with a tough OT win at Stanford. Unless the Cardinal win four games in four days, they are done. Washington is still in the picture with its stunning upset of UCLA.
Key Game: Washington vs Arizona State 3/7 10:30p- Huskies need to get at least to the Pac-10 semis, a loss versus the cellar dwelling Sun Devils would be a fatal blow.
Pacific Ten Tournament: March 7-10 Staples Center, Los Angeles
Southeastern
Lock-Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Good Shape- UK
Work to do- Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama
UK is still not in real deep bubble trouble…yet. If they get beat by ‘Bama in the SEC first round (no bye for them this year), Wildcat nation starts to sweat. Bama took a pair of awful losses and now need to get at least to the weekend to be okay.
Key Game: Kentucky vs Alabama Mar 8 1p UK needs to win this game to squash bubble trouble talk.
Southeastern Conference Tournament: March 8-11 Georgia Dome, Atlanta
West Coast
In-Gonzaga
Hopin and Wishin’-Santa Clara
The Bulldogs capture the bid behind a stellar performance by Derrick Ravio. The Broncos deserved a bid and their coach Dick Davey deserves better than the treatment that Santa Clara’s AD is giving them. The big boys breath a bit easier because it is unlikely that the WCC will get more than Gonzaga in
West Coast Conference Tournament Championship:-Gonzaga, 77-68 over Santa Clara
1 Bid major conferences
Conference USA
Lock-Memphis
The Tigers are killing time till Selection Sunday, though a strong run through their invitional...err the C-USA tourney would bode well to get them a #2 seed.
Conference USA Championships: Mar 7-10 FedEx Forum, Memphis
Western Athletic
Lock-Nevada
Needs Help- New Mexico St, Utah St.
Nevada is in the same situation as Memphis, though a trio of big wins would get them a 3 seed. Both Aggies (New Mexico State and Utah State both have the same nickname) need to get to the finals if not win it all.
Western Athletic Conference Tournament Mar 6-10 Pan American Center Las Cruces, New Mexico
The following conference tournament winners will also receive an automatic bid (those that have earned a bid are listed with conference in parentheses) : Amer. East, Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Big Sky, Winthrop (Big South), Big West , VMI (Colonial) Penn (Ivy), MAC, MAAC (Niagara) , MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Davidson (Southern) , Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC Remember, this is spec and nothing here is solid yet though that will change and you know that there is no chance that there will be upsets or an unseen team making a mess of this right?
Next Update: Mar 8th
Picks as of 3/6
Dance tickets are being printed already. Nine schools received automatic bids to the NCAA tournament over the weekend. Penn clinched the Ivy league by beating Princeton Friday. Since the Ivy is the only league with no tournament, the Quakers get the automatic bid by finishing first. Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Winthrop (Big South), Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Davidson (SoCon) and Creighton (Missouri Valley) all wrapped up their league titles and the auto bids that come with them over the weekend. Niagara (MAAC), Gonzaga (West Coast), VMI (Colonial) earned their invites Monday. This spec sheet is shorter, the key games of the big boy conferences will be detailed more on Thursday when some of the opening round games are out of the way. That spec sheet will hopefully be published before the games
The following conferences will get multiple bids teams listed are the ones with the best chances
Atlantic Coast
Locks- North Carolina, Duke, Va. Tech, Virginia, Bost. College, Maryland
Good Shape- Georgia Tech
Needs Help- Florida St., Clemson
The ugly loss at the Dean Dome Sunday might hurt the Dukies more with the loss of Gerald Henderson. Georgia Tech’s late run of shocking wins has put them in a real position to be a factor in the ACC tourney. Florida State needed a miracle to beat Miami and Clemson is still hanging on. The Locks are all beyond reproach and no matter what happens in St. Pete are playing for seeding. Can the ACC get 7 teams in?
Key Game: Duke vs NC State- 3/8 4p The reeling Blue Devils had better win here or they might be in bubble trouble land.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: March 8-11 St. Pete Times Forum, St. Petersburg, Florida
Atlantic Ten
Lock- Xavier
Needs Help Rhode Island, UMass
Xavier is on a roll and barring an unexpected early bad loss should roll into the tourney. The Rams and Minutemen need to get to the final to have any kind of chance, and a win over the Muskies would help matters.
Atlantic Ten Confernce Tournament: March 7-10-Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City
Big East
Locks- Pitt, Marquette, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville
Needs Help- Villanova, Syracuse
The ‘Cuse has nothing but excuses after a damaging loss to Villanova. Road loss or no, the Orange now have to get at least to the Big East Semis. 5 is the most realistic number I can see coming out of the Big East
Key Game: Connecticut vs Syracuse 3/7 2p- The Orange won four in four last year, a repeat may not be needed to get to the tourney, but a loss to UConn would kill any tournament chances.
Big East Conference Tournament: March 7-10-Madison Square Garden New York City
Big Ten
Locks-Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana
Good Shape- Illinois, Michigan State
Work To Do- Michigan, Purdue
The Locks are set, Indiana could get in even with a first round loss, but would be best advised not to test that theory. Illinois and Michigan State both need to get at least one win in the tourney
Big Ten Conference Tournament: March 8-11 United Center, Chicago
Big 12
Locks-Kansas, Texas A&M , Texas
Good Shape- Kansas State
Needs Help- Texas Tech
The scene in OKC is pretty clear, the Locks are playing for seeding, Kansas State needs to win at least one to solidify their bid chances, Tech needs to get to the Semis.
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Colonial
In-VCU
Hopin’ And Wishin- Drexel
A new addition to the multiple bid line, shame on me for not giving this solid mid-major more pub. VCU rally past last years tourney darlings George Mason, who was trying to crash the NCAA party with an even louder splash than last year. But the Rams will be a tough out. The real question is a Drexel team that the big boys are praying gets locked out. They have the real potential to not only steal a game in the tourney, but be a real bracket wrecker, like the Patriots were last year. You heard it here first.
Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Championship: Virginia Commonwealth over George Mason 65-59
Horizon
Lock-Butler
Needs Help-Wright State
This is the matchup that this conference tourney was waiting for. Both Wright State and Butler are tough teams but I think Butler can afford the loss.
Horizon Conference Tournament Championship: Wright State at Butler, Hinkle Fieldhouse Indianapolis Tonight
Missouri Valley
In- Creighton
Good Shape- Southern Illinois
Hopin’ and Wishin’ Bradley, Missouri State
Bravo to the Bluejays! Their solid win over a ranked Southern Illinois guarantees that they will only worry about where they are going, not if. The Salukis are going to dance as well but may get a 6 or 7 seed where winning the MVC tourney to go along with their regular season title would have gotten them as high as a 4 seed. Bradley lost a heartbreaker to the Salukis and Mo State got routed by Creighton in the MVC semis and are hoping for the best, I still think that this league should get four like last year but will probably only get two.
Missouri Valley Conference Championship: Creighton 67-61 over Southern Illinois
Mountain West
Locks- Brigham Young
Good Shape-UNLV, Air Force, San Diego State
I know Mormons don’t bet, but their team in Vegas is the only real money lock. UNLV, Air Force and San Diego State need but to get to semis. The Aztecs are the shakiest of the latter three in terms of tourney worthiness. BYU is the only team that could take an early L in the WAC tourney and still get a tourney invite.
Mountain West Conference Tournament: Mar 6, 8-10 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
Pacific 10
Locks- UCLA, Oregon, Wash. St, SC
Good Shape-Arizona
Needs Help- Washington Arizona helped itself with a tough OT win at Stanford. Unless the Cardinal win four games in four days, they are done. Washington is still in the picture with its stunning upset of UCLA.
Key Game: Washington vs Arizona State 3/7 10:30p- Huskies need to get at least to the Pac-10 semis, a loss versus the cellar dwelling Sun Devils would be a fatal blow.
Pacific Ten Tournament: March 7-10 Staples Center, Los Angeles
Southeastern
Lock-Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Good Shape- UK
Work to do- Georgia, Ole Miss, Alabama
UK is still not in real deep bubble trouble…yet. If they get beat by ‘Bama in the SEC first round (no bye for them this year), Wildcat nation starts to sweat. Bama took a pair of awful losses and now need to get at least to the weekend to be okay.
Key Game: Kentucky vs Alabama Mar 8 1p UK needs to win this game to squash bubble trouble talk.
Southeastern Conference Tournament: March 8-11 Georgia Dome, Atlanta
West Coast
In-Gonzaga
Hopin and Wishin’-Santa Clara
The Bulldogs capture the bid behind a stellar performance by Derrick Ravio. The Broncos deserved a bid and their coach Dick Davey deserves better than the treatment that Santa Clara’s AD is giving them. The big boys breath a bit easier because it is unlikely that the WCC will get more than Gonzaga in
West Coast Conference Tournament Championship:-Gonzaga, 77-68 over Santa Clara
1 Bid major conferences
Conference USA
Lock-Memphis
The Tigers are killing time till Selection Sunday, though a strong run through their invitional...err the C-USA tourney would bode well to get them a #2 seed.
Conference USA Championships: Mar 7-10 FedEx Forum, Memphis
Western Athletic
Lock-Nevada
Needs Help- New Mexico St, Utah St.
Nevada is in the same situation as Memphis, though a trio of big wins would get them a 3 seed. Both Aggies (New Mexico State and Utah State both have the same nickname) need to get to the finals if not win it all.
Western Athletic Conference Tournament Mar 6-10 Pan American Center Las Cruces, New Mexico
The following conference tournament winners will also receive an automatic bid (those that have earned a bid are listed with conference in parentheses) : Amer. East, Belmont (Atlantic Sun), Big Sky, Winthrop (Big South), Big West , VMI (Colonial) Penn (Ivy), MAC, MAAC (Niagara) , MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Davidson (Southern) , Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC Remember, this is spec and nothing here is solid yet though that will change and you know that there is no chance that there will be upsets or an unseen team making a mess of this right?
Next Update: Mar 8th
Friday, March 02, 2007
Spec Sheet 3/2
2007 NCAA Spec Sheet
Picks as of 3/2
The madness begins in earnest as the calendar has officially turned to March. Many of the key matchups to look out for this weekend are listed
The following conferences will get multiple bids teams listed are the ones with the best chances
Atlantic Coast
Locks- North Carolina, Duke, Va. Tech, Virginia, Bost. College, Maryland
Good Shape-
Needs Help- Florida St.
The Terrapins win over UNC makes them a spot on lock, the Cavs and Hokies have had their collective foot on the gas for a while. The Noles have to win out and go deep in the ACC tourney to get any consideration. Georgia Tech remains on the fringes of the tourney picture with their win over Carolina Thursday, but are in the same boat with Florida State.
Key Game: UNC at Duke- Mar 4th 4p Though not for an ACC regular season title, both teams could use this win as a springboard to and ACC tourney run.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: March 8-11 St. Pete Times Forum, St. Petersburg, Florida
Atlantic Ten
Good Shape Xavier
Needs Help Rhode Island, UMass
Xavier is getting the job done and barring a bad loss in the A-10 quarters should be getting ready to dance. UMass and URI both need to get to the A-10 final to have any kind of shot. Though I doubt that the A-10 would send two unless the aforementioned beat Xavier in the final.
Atlantic Ten Confernce Tournament: March 7-10-Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City
Big East
Locks- Pitt, Marquette, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville
Good Shape- Syracuse
Needs Help- Villanova
Notre Dame earned its lock after rallying to beat Marquette. Louisville closed the deal and even though I’m making them a lock I’m not sold yet but I’ll give it to them. I know they are 3rd in the Big East, but. Syracuse is still very much in the picture, their win over Georgetown puts them in much better shape. The same cant be said for Providence who’s loss to the Orange put them is serious trouble. Nova needs to win out and the Mountaineers just don’t have the numbers to keep their lock. They’re still in good shape, but I’ll like them better if they get a win or two in NYC. Providence is done with their tough loss to the ‘Cuse.
Key Game: Syracuse at Villanova 3/3 2p- If Nova wants to make any statement, a win here would help
Big East Conference Tournament: March 7-10-Madison Square Garden New York City
Big Ten
Locks-Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana
Good Shape- Illinois, Michigan State
Work To Do- Michigan, Purdue
Michigan State needs to prove that they can win away from the Breslin Center and their status change is a direct reflection of that. Finally, everyone is saying that Iowa is done, as they’re loss to Penn State has more or less evaporated any at large chances.
Key Game: Michigan State at Wisconsin 3/3 3p- Badgers are hungry to avenge beating they took in East Lansing and Spartans could use a road win to strengthen their resume
Big Ten Conference Tourney: March 8-11 United Center, Chicago
Big 12
Locks-Kansas, Texas A&M , Texas
Good Shape- Kansas State
Needs Help- Texas Tech
Kansas State stumbled badly in Stillwater but the Pokes are getting no breaks from this scribe. Mario Boggan’s stupid head butt will cost him a game and with Oklahoma State needing every win they can get can ill afford their leading scorer’s absence. Getting back to the Wildcats, their profile isn’t the best and aside from wins over tourney bound Texas and USC, they have no big wins. Tech is still in the picture and will be waiting with baited breath on the 11th. If they don’t win the Big 12 tourney they will be a big bubble team.
Key Game: Texas Tech at Iowa State 3/3 8p- A win for Tech gets them to 20 wins before the Big 12 tourney, which they’ll need a couple there to get considered
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Horizon
Lock-Butler
Needs Help-Wright State, Loyola
Butler is waiting for a possible rematch with Wright State, but that’s only team that would not have to win at Hinkle Fieldhouse as the Raiders have the Horizon top seed.
Horizon Conference Tournanment: Feb 27th First Round Campus Sites (First Round) Mar 2-3 Nutter Center, Dayton (Quarterfinals and Semi-Finals) Finals Mar 6th Highest Seed Campus
Missouri Valley
Lock- Southern Illinois,
Good Shape- Missouri State, Creighton
Needs Help Bradley
Only the Salukis are a dead-lock no matters what happens in St. Louis. Mo. State and Creighton needs to only avoid first game upsets and the deeper Bradley gets the better their chances are.
Missouri Valley Conference Tournament: Mar 1-4 Scottrade Center, St. Louis
Mountain West
Locks- Brigham Young
Good Shape-UNLV, Air Force, San Diego State
BYU is the only real lock now, they are not losing at home. Vegas and Air Force are in good shape, though the Falcons swan dive is seriously damaging their seeding. I’d feel better about the Aztecs if they made the MWC semis or finals. I still like at least three teams to come out of this conference
Key Game: Air Force at BYU 3/3 7:30p- Falcons need a win to have some kind of momentum going to Vegas. But the Cougars are extremely tough to beat at the Marriott Center.
Mountain West Conference Tournament: Mar 6-10 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
Pacific 10
Locks- UCLA, Oregon, Wash. St, SC
Good Shape-Arizona
Needs Help-Stanford, Washington
As soon as I give teams dap in this conference, they go off the deep end and the moment I write off a team, they resurrect. Washington won’t go away and Stanford is still in the mix. The Locks are still that way though SC keeps looking shaky with their inconsistent play in the stretch. I’m not sold on Arizona, but as long as they don’t get beat in the Pac-10 quarters they should be in. Key Game: Arizona at Stanford 3/3 3:30p-Both teams need this win, “Zona to quiet the bubble critics, Stanford to stay out of the “Win it to get In It” class.
Pacific Ten Tournament: March 7-10 Staples Center, Los Angeles
Southeastern
Lock-Florida,Alabama, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Good Shape- UK
Work to do- Georgia, Ole Miss
UK still needs to avoid a bad loss in the SEC tourney. They are not going to win in Gainesville in what may be Joakim Noah’s last home game. Tennessee punched their dance ticket with a rout of the Gators. Georgia is on life support. Ole Miss has some intriguing numbers, but they have no eye catching wins. The latter two teams would be best advised to make a deep run in the dome to get any serious look.
Key Game: Kentucky at Florida Mar 4 Noon If UK can complete Florida’s late season slump with a win at the O’Connell Center no one will deny them their tourney worthiness.
Southeastern Conference Tournament: March 8-11 Georgia Dome, Atlanta
West Coast
Good Shape-Gonzaga, Santa Clara
I chatted with Andrew Glockner of ESPN.com and he thinks that Gonzaga’s better than 50/50 to get the bid, but not if they lose in the WCC tourney. I concur. But I see it as a two horse race between them and the Broncos.
West Coast Conference Tournament: March 2-5 Chiles Center, Portland Ore.
1 Bid major conferences
Conference USA
Lock-Memphis
The Tigers are basketballs best kept secret, though I’m annoyed at Calipari’s carping for a high seed.
Conference USA Championships: Mar 7-10 FedEx Forum, Memphis
Western Athletic
Lock-Nevada
Needs Help- New Mexico St, Utah St.
New Mexico State’s loss to Fresno State pushed them to must win the tourney, Utah State barged its way into tourney talk with its OT win over WAC leader Nevada who is all kinds of safe.
Western Athletic Conference Tournament Mar 6-10 Las Cruces, New Mexico
And remember the teams from the following get an automatic bid: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West , Ivy, MAC, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC Remember, this is spec and nothing here is solid yet though that will change and you know that there is no chance that there will be upsets or an unseen team making a mess of this right?
Next Update: Mar 6th
Picks as of 3/2
The madness begins in earnest as the calendar has officially turned to March. Many of the key matchups to look out for this weekend are listed
The following conferences will get multiple bids teams listed are the ones with the best chances
Atlantic Coast
Locks- North Carolina, Duke, Va. Tech, Virginia, Bost. College, Maryland
Good Shape-
Needs Help- Florida St.
The Terrapins win over UNC makes them a spot on lock, the Cavs and Hokies have had their collective foot on the gas for a while. The Noles have to win out and go deep in the ACC tourney to get any consideration. Georgia Tech remains on the fringes of the tourney picture with their win over Carolina Thursday, but are in the same boat with Florida State.
Key Game: UNC at Duke- Mar 4th 4p Though not for an ACC regular season title, both teams could use this win as a springboard to and ACC tourney run.
Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament: March 8-11 St. Pete Times Forum, St. Petersburg, Florida
Atlantic Ten
Good Shape Xavier
Needs Help Rhode Island, UMass
Xavier is getting the job done and barring a bad loss in the A-10 quarters should be getting ready to dance. UMass and URI both need to get to the A-10 final to have any kind of shot. Though I doubt that the A-10 would send two unless the aforementioned beat Xavier in the final.
Atlantic Ten Confernce Tournament: March 7-10-Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City
Big East
Locks- Pitt, Marquette, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Louisville
Good Shape- Syracuse
Needs Help- Villanova
Notre Dame earned its lock after rallying to beat Marquette. Louisville closed the deal and even though I’m making them a lock I’m not sold yet but I’ll give it to them. I know they are 3rd in the Big East, but. Syracuse is still very much in the picture, their win over Georgetown puts them in much better shape. The same cant be said for Providence who’s loss to the Orange put them is serious trouble. Nova needs to win out and the Mountaineers just don’t have the numbers to keep their lock. They’re still in good shape, but I’ll like them better if they get a win or two in NYC. Providence is done with their tough loss to the ‘Cuse.
Key Game: Syracuse at Villanova 3/3 2p- If Nova wants to make any statement, a win here would help
Big East Conference Tournament: March 7-10-Madison Square Garden New York City
Big Ten
Locks-Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana
Good Shape- Illinois, Michigan State
Work To Do- Michigan, Purdue
Michigan State needs to prove that they can win away from the Breslin Center and their status change is a direct reflection of that. Finally, everyone is saying that Iowa is done, as they’re loss to Penn State has more or less evaporated any at large chances.
Key Game: Michigan State at Wisconsin 3/3 3p- Badgers are hungry to avenge beating they took in East Lansing and Spartans could use a road win to strengthen their resume
Big Ten Conference Tourney: March 8-11 United Center, Chicago
Big 12
Locks-Kansas, Texas A&M , Texas
Good Shape- Kansas State
Needs Help- Texas Tech
Kansas State stumbled badly in Stillwater but the Pokes are getting no breaks from this scribe. Mario Boggan’s stupid head butt will cost him a game and with Oklahoma State needing every win they can get can ill afford their leading scorer’s absence. Getting back to the Wildcats, their profile isn’t the best and aside from wins over tourney bound Texas and USC, they have no big wins. Tech is still in the picture and will be waiting with baited breath on the 11th. If they don’t win the Big 12 tourney they will be a big bubble team.
Key Game: Texas Tech at Iowa State 3/3 8p- A win for Tech gets them to 20 wins before the Big 12 tourney, which they’ll need a couple there to get considered
Big 12 Conference Tournament: Mar 8-11 Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Horizon
Lock-Butler
Needs Help-Wright State, Loyola
Butler is waiting for a possible rematch with Wright State, but that’s only team that would not have to win at Hinkle Fieldhouse as the Raiders have the Horizon top seed.
Horizon Conference Tournanment: Feb 27th First Round Campus Sites (First Round) Mar 2-3 Nutter Center, Dayton (Quarterfinals and Semi-Finals) Finals Mar 6th Highest Seed Campus
Missouri Valley
Lock- Southern Illinois,
Good Shape- Missouri State, Creighton
Needs Help Bradley
Only the Salukis are a dead-lock no matters what happens in St. Louis. Mo. State and Creighton needs to only avoid first game upsets and the deeper Bradley gets the better their chances are.
Missouri Valley Conference Tournament: Mar 1-4 Scottrade Center, St. Louis
Mountain West
Locks- Brigham Young
Good Shape-UNLV, Air Force, San Diego State
BYU is the only real lock now, they are not losing at home. Vegas and Air Force are in good shape, though the Falcons swan dive is seriously damaging their seeding. I’d feel better about the Aztecs if they made the MWC semis or finals. I still like at least three teams to come out of this conference
Key Game: Air Force at BYU 3/3 7:30p- Falcons need a win to have some kind of momentum going to Vegas. But the Cougars are extremely tough to beat at the Marriott Center.
Mountain West Conference Tournament: Mar 6-10 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
Pacific 10
Locks- UCLA, Oregon, Wash. St, SC
Good Shape-Arizona
Needs Help-Stanford, Washington
As soon as I give teams dap in this conference, they go off the deep end and the moment I write off a team, they resurrect. Washington won’t go away and Stanford is still in the mix. The Locks are still that way though SC keeps looking shaky with their inconsistent play in the stretch. I’m not sold on Arizona, but as long as they don’t get beat in the Pac-10 quarters they should be in. Key Game: Arizona at Stanford 3/3 3:30p-Both teams need this win, “Zona to quiet the bubble critics, Stanford to stay out of the “Win it to get In It” class.
Pacific Ten Tournament: March 7-10 Staples Center, Los Angeles
Southeastern
Lock-Florida,Alabama, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Good Shape- UK
Work to do- Georgia, Ole Miss
UK still needs to avoid a bad loss in the SEC tourney. They are not going to win in Gainesville in what may be Joakim Noah’s last home game. Tennessee punched their dance ticket with a rout of the Gators. Georgia is on life support. Ole Miss has some intriguing numbers, but they have no eye catching wins. The latter two teams would be best advised to make a deep run in the dome to get any serious look.
Key Game: Kentucky at Florida Mar 4 Noon If UK can complete Florida’s late season slump with a win at the O’Connell Center no one will deny them their tourney worthiness.
Southeastern Conference Tournament: March 8-11 Georgia Dome, Atlanta
West Coast
Good Shape-Gonzaga, Santa Clara
I chatted with Andrew Glockner of ESPN.com and he thinks that Gonzaga’s better than 50/50 to get the bid, but not if they lose in the WCC tourney. I concur. But I see it as a two horse race between them and the Broncos.
West Coast Conference Tournament: March 2-5 Chiles Center, Portland Ore.
1 Bid major conferences
Conference USA
Lock-Memphis
The Tigers are basketballs best kept secret, though I’m annoyed at Calipari’s carping for a high seed.
Conference USA Championships: Mar 7-10 FedEx Forum, Memphis
Western Athletic
Lock-Nevada
Needs Help- New Mexico St, Utah St.
New Mexico State’s loss to Fresno State pushed them to must win the tourney, Utah State barged its way into tourney talk with its OT win over WAC leader Nevada who is all kinds of safe.
Western Athletic Conference Tournament Mar 6-10 Las Cruces, New Mexico
And remember the teams from the following get an automatic bid: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West , Ivy, MAC, MAAC, MEAC, Mid-Continent, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, SWAC Remember, this is spec and nothing here is solid yet though that will change and you know that there is no chance that there will be upsets or an unseen team making a mess of this right?
Next Update: Mar 6th
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