MARCH MADNESS - SOUTHEAST REGIONAL

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL


Seed – Team – Rating
1. Pittsburgh – 89
2. Florida - 85
3. BYU - 88
4. Wisconsin - 87
5. Kansas State - 83
6. St. John’s – 83
7. UCLA – 80
8. Butler – 80
9. Old Dominion – 81
10. Michigan State – 82
11. Gonzaga – 82
12. Utah State – 84
13. Belmont – 83
14. Wofford – 75
15. UC Santa Barbara – 72
16. Arkansas – Little Rock – 67
16. NC Asheville - 71


Thursday, March 17


Verizon Center – Washington, DC


[1] PITTSBURGH vs. (16) UNC-ASHEVILLE
The beautifully-balanced Panthers have earned this gimme, so we can save our observations regarding their "Big Dance" history of vanishing acts for a little later. UNC-Asheville inherited the Big South mantle when conference-season streaker Coastal Carolina hit the wall. Have fun here, guys, and don’t forget your lovely parting gifts. PITTSBURGH, 80-58 over UNC-ASHVILLE

(8) BUTLER vs. (9) OLD DOMINION
Last year’s second, the Bulldogs are only “pick” here for a few reasons. They didn’t dominate the Horizon, though they bobbed up when they had to; how do you get up for another push of the stone up the hill when you missed the whole enchilada by three inches last year in a game you certainly could have won?; and Old Dome’s preeminence as the dominant offensive-rebounding harvester in this year’s marathon. Dominion’s long been mock-able as an ersatz effort to mimic the ‘Heels image, but Frank Hassell is Godzilla on the glass, and this is one spot where the jaded Bulldogs may be unable to hold the fort. OLD DOMINION, 60-57


McKale Center – Tucson, AZ


(5) KANSAS STATE vs. (12) UTAH STATE
We’ve sung the praises of Utah State all season, and they’re now fairly regarded in the marketplace, so despite how often we’ve trashed K-State over the course of the year, we’re left with no choice but to embrace Jacob Pullen and Frank Martin. Yes, the Wildcats had trouble with Colorado. Don’t see them around these parts, do you, hmmm? So, despite their relative lack of depth, their tendency towards foul trouble and their extreme reliance on a couple of individuals, must favor K-State at this paltry number, given the number of quality teams they’ve already beaten. KANSAS STATE, 74-66


(4) WISCONSIN vs. (13) BELMONT
The masters of modern sports media have made it official – the Bruins are the overwhelming Cinderella prospect of this year’s tournament. The Atlantic Sun champs fit more positive profiles for surprise "Big Dance" success than “The King’s Speech" did in this year’s Best Picture Oscar derby – and that’s saying a lot. F Mick Hedgepeth operates inside and G Ian Clark directs traffic, on a deep team (by conference standards) which may be capable of throwing a big scare into some big names. Wisky’s not always a bargain away from the Kohl Center, and their taller trees might be judged suspect when the bumping begins. Hate chasing such a runaway train, and prevailing market may not seem fair, but don’t want the other side, under the broad circumstances. WISCONSIN,  69-68


Pepsi Center – Denver, CO


(6) ST. JOHNS vs. (11) GONZAGA
Steve Lavin’s done a helluva job with the kids from Queens in terms of coaxing them to play to their true potential, but when the Johnnies lost ace swingman, D. J. Kennedy, to injury for the duration, it was parallel to removing multiple vital bodily organs. Up to that point, both of these sides had improved steadily over the course of the season. The Zags first shoved off with better talent, but it took a while for them to mesh to Mark Few’s satisfaction, but they’re there and now, a long way from home, Johnnies face a crisis of confidence they are no cinch to pass in current form. GONZAGA, 71-61


(3) BYU vs. (14) WOFFORD
Without the suspended Brandon Davies, who provided the key to a sustained inside presence, Cougars must now go small and look for Jimmer Fredette to provide most things, in order to have any chance to avoid a too-soon closure of this year’s Book of Mormon. Wofford took out the College of Charleston (not junk) to cop the Southern Conference, but C of C doesn’t boast the likes of Fredette. If Jimmer straps them on his back and carries the whole load, BYU may cover . . . if not, not. BYU, 74-66.


St. Pete Times Forum - Tampa, FL


(7) UCLA vs. (10) MICHIGAN STATE
Would jump for the Bruins at this price, except for the fact they’re simply too careless with the basketball, and despite their improvement during the course of the season, they remain far from the most mature team in the tournament. It would be supremely ironic for Sparty to finally gain traction in the opening week of the Dance after destroying their backers all season, but we won’t be paying to find out. UCLA, 64-61


(2) FLORIDA vs. (15) UC-SANTA BARBARA
Barbara essentially parlayed one decent tourney win against Pacific and an “upset” of favored Long Beach State (which hates to play in the Honda Center) into a "Big Dance" bid. The one, the only Gauchos should be thoroughly-outclassed here (though they perked up after shifting to broad man-to-man posture after playing months of a casual zone in conference), unless looking-ahead Gators are lax in their defense of preferred Gaucho shooting positions on the perimeter. Projected market makes for tough call. FLORIDA, 69-55