Please note that in each of the regionals, I have given an average rating for each tourney team based on the Sagarin ratings, Pomeroy ratings, and SR Crew ratings.
For those in bracket pools, you can use these to determine your game selections. In the past, this method has proven fairly successful. Though you probably won't win your pool, you'll still be in the hunt next weekend.
EAST REGIONAL
Seed – Team - Rating
1. Ohio State – 93
2. North Carolina – 87
3. Syracuse – 88
4. Kentucky – 87
5. West Virginia – 85
6. Xavier – 82
7. Washington – 85
8. George Mason – 83
9. Villanova – 84
10. Georgia – 80
11. Marquette – 83
12. Clemson – 82
12. UAB – 80
13. Princeton – 77
14. Indiana State – 74
15. LIU – 74
16. UT – San Antonio – 66
16. Alabama State - 60
Thursday, March 17
St. Pete Times Forum -- Tampa, FL
(5) WEST VIRGINIA vs. (12) CLEMSON
When last seen, Clem was giving Carolina all they could handle, though ’Heels didn’t seem wholly dedicated to the task during the bulk of the ACC tourney. At projected short number, lean to Mountaineers who checked out of Big East tourney early after winning it last year. Size-blessed Tigers who no longer have Oliver Purnell to hold them back in a late-season and tourney settings. WEST VIRGINIA, 68-66 over CLEMSON, or 70-63 over UAB
(4) KENTUCKY over (13) PRINCETON
Don’t get carried away by the SEC results, since ‘Cats always play out of their minds in the Georgia Dome, but here they are. Deandre Liggins and Doron Lamb got nicked up late in the conference tourney – check status of those ankles. Tigers all the way back, out of the Ivy, and outsmarted the physically-superior Harvards. Tigers play well fresh, the Princeton mystique is legit, and Calipari barely glances at his bench, but ‘Cats should flat out-athletic this earnest foe. KENTUCKY, 73-62
Friday, March 18
Quicken Loans Arena – Cleveland, OH
(1) OHIO STATE vs. (16) TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO or
(1) OHIO STATE vs. ALABAMA STATE
Absolute walk in the park for the Buckeyes, who shouldn’t have to extend themselves to any great extent to smother either UT-SA (the most likely victim, with seven freshmen) or shaky shooting (from any and all angles) ‘Bama State. OHIO STATE, 80-52, over UT-SA, or 77-44 over Alabama State
(8) GEORGE MASON vs. (9) VILLANOVA
This might loom a nifty draw for the Patriots at first glance, and a well-struck blow by the Colonial entry would not surprise, but with all the bad news out there, given the severe ’Cat slide in recent weeks, Mason is slightly favored, and that’s cause for pause. Jim Larranaga’s optimistic outlook for this season hasn’t encountered any critical speed bumps, yet. Full return to health for Corey Stokes’ hamstring might rejuvenate Jay Wright’s troops, but if we’re in for more “pass it around for thirty seconds before going into overdrive” from ’Nova, Mason will thank one and all for the gift, though fact this is Patriots’ first game in a dozen days lends measure of uncertainty. For now, GEORGE MASON, 64-61
(6) XAVIER vs. (11) MARQUETTE
We liked Dayton to potentially take out the X-Men in the A-10 Tourney, and sure enough, comfortable in their confidence that this spot would be waiting for them, Muskies were clearly saving their best shots for the Big Dance. Given Temple’s injury issues, X was the class of the A-10, boasting one of the nation’s finest guards in Tu Holloway. It was no surprise the Golden Eagles were able to take out smaller West Virginia in Big East tourney, but got blistered by longer, stronger Louisville. Seeking to deal with X’s frontcourt size is unlikely to prove a consistent pleasure for Buzz Williams. XAVIER, 75-68
(3) SYRACUSE vs. (14) INDIANA STATE
Another spot where a twelve-day interval between matches played in anger is unlikely to be a good thing for game, well-meaning underdog with a legitimate sustained ability to can the 3-ball. But in a terrible year for the Missouri Valley, in which neither Wichita State nor Missouri State received a whisper of sober at-large support leading to Selection Sunday, Jim Boeheim’s 2-3 zone figures to pose a severe test for Sycamore missile-launchers. Such reliance on the outside shot can be disrupted by minimal adjustments in defensive spacing. Orange danced four straight dances in New York, and will be grateful for recovery time, but this ‘dog may not hunt. SYRACUSE, 77-62
Time-Warner Cable Arena – Charlotte, NC
(7) WASHINGTON vs. (10) GEORGIA
Have enjoyed a solid line on Bulldogs most of the season, and will be looking to take the perks with snappy G Travis Leslie and productive F Trey Thompkins against Husky outfit that’s frequently casual with regards to the defensive side of the equation. Husky G Isaiah Thomas (no relation) has polished his act, especially defensively, but too many of his dogsled-mates remain extraordinarily casual about executing many of the game’s fundamentals in the proper manner. U-Dub’s tourney win against Arizona represented a very rare triumph over a ranked team. Bet ’Dawgs can give them all they want, though remain concerned about Georgia’s ability to finish off foes. GEORGIA, 69-68
(2) NORTH CAROLINA vs. (15) LONG ISLAND U.
Ahhhh, the Blackbirds, Coach Clair Bee’s (of Chip Hilton fame) pride and joy, back in the day. This task looks difficult, but there’s more parity in the college game than ever, and this number could be one of the shortest a Northeast Conference titleholder’s caught in a non-play-in game, for a while – even given the Carolina site. Since losing at Northwestern on December 13, LIU’s won 21-of-22, with Jamal Olasewere leading a transition attack that’s pure pleasure to watch, as anyone who caught their win over Robert Morris in the conference final on the Worldwide Leader should attest. At right price, this may tempt, as we remain aware uber-talented ‘Heels lose focus easily, to Roy Williams’ chagrin. NORTH CAROLINA, 84-76
No comments:
Post a Comment