1.Kansas
2.Ohio State
3.Georgetown
4.Maryland

1.UK
2.WVU
3.New Mexico
4.Wisconsin

1.Duke
2.Villanova
3.Baylor
4.Purdue

1.Syracuse
2.K-State
3.Pitt
4.Vandy

Kansas got screwed. Their region includes (3) teams that won the regular season conference title in a major conference and one of those teams won the conference tournament title. The 6 seed in this region has defeated Kansas and Kentucky.

Kentucky has to possibly deal with the Big East tournament champion and a Wisconsin team that has the talent and the skill to beat a #1 seed, which they did earlier in the year by handling Duke.

I think the committee gave Duke an easy path to the Final Four. The #4 seed in the region is probably no better than an 8 or 9 seed because of injuries. The #2 seed has lost 5 of their last 7. What more could you ask for?

Syracuse has the easiest region. I could see this region yielding the most upsets because the top seeds ,IMO, aren't that impressive.Xavier might be the best team in the bracket next to Syracuse.

It's gotta be Duke.

Duke has the easiest region, but they won't get out of it. Syracuse's region isn't that tough either, though Kansas State is better than any team in Duke's bracket.

I agree with most of what prescott said in his original post. The Midwest Region is loaded, and the East seems pretty difficult as well.

Duke definitely got a ridiculously favorable draw, and I'm not just saying that because I can't stand them. If Duke was ever going to make a run back to Final Four, this has to be the year due to the relatively easy path that has been set for them, along with the fact that this is one of the better teams they have had in recent years.

Duke, but Syracuse doesnt have the toughest road either.

Duke

I think the South is the weakest, but potentially the most entertaining. With some top seeds having glaring issues ('Nova inexplicably being a #2 despite that whole "losing five of seven" thing; #4 Purdue looking very blah without Hummel) combined with Duke's recent history of having uninspiring tournament runs, this region has the biggest "anything can happen" vibe to it. And, let's be honest, Duke had a series of close games in the ACC tournament against some blah teams...it wouldn't be a huge shock if Louisville took them out in the second round. It also wouldn't be a huge shock if Duke won four straight games in dominating fashion to make the Final Four.

I think, if they're firing on all cylinders, Syracuse might have the easiest path. The "firing on all cylinders" part is what's important. A team like 'Cuse, if on, has the natural ability to handle the elite class of mid-majors and they could face Gonzaga and Butler back-to-back. But if they're not on, they could be an early exit, as sloppy performances by big-time schools are what's given the Gonzagas and Butlers of the world their reputation. Teams like Kansas State, Pitt and Vandy all could make runs, but could be shocked. They're more secure than the South's 2-3-4 group, but that's it.

The East might be the easiest for the top two seeds to meet in the Great 8 round. Kentucky and West Virginia just seem to be better than anyone else, but will be a great match for each other. Sure, other teams could get into the mix (like Texas IF they magically regain their early-season form or one or two bottom-bracket teams if a Huggins' team has another early-tournament exit), but this is the most likely of the four regions to end with a 1 vs. 2 match-up.

The Midwest is just sadistic. Great job earning the #1 overall seed, Kansas. The #2 seed is one of the hottest teams in the country and possesses a short-list candidate for national player of the year. #3 is inconsistent, but capable of beating just about anyone (to be fair, you can say that about a number of high seeds in this tournament). #4 was a top ACC team (regular season champ or co-champ, right?). #5 is a Big 10 co-champ who struggled down the stretch and, unlike Villanova, got legitimately punished for it. #6 is another inconsistent team who has shown the ability to beat anyone on a good day. #7 has one of the best pure scorers in basketball. #8 and #9 are two of the top lesser-conference teams. #10 is an underachiever who'd played itself out of the NCAA tournament until making their conference finals. And a couple of the lower seeds have the ability to win one game, at least.

Duke by far got the easiest region.

I don't get the whole overall #1 seed crap. Last year Louisville was the #1 overall seed and got stuck with the most difficult region. Now Kansas is the #1 overall seed and they get what I consider one of the most difficult regions in NCAA tournament history! The #5 seed is the Big 10 co-champ for christ sake and defending national runner up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Xavier makes it to the Pitt game and we beat their ass. Maybe not on the court but I'll fight people in the stands. I hate you Jamie Dixon. I hate you Sean Miller, and your stupid little short shorts. I hate how EVERY GOD FORSAKEN time X was on ESPN they just had to show your fat ass eating hamburgers, i mean playing point guard for Pitt.

We will beat you.

Or I will shove someone wearing a Pitt hat down the stairs. Either or.

Being a huge Dukie, I obviously love their draw, and yes, I totally agree that they have the easiest path. Do I think they should have gotten the third #1 seed? No, I was totally surprised by that and if you look at the body of work, Syracuse deserved it. Syracuse probably has the second easiest path, Kansas by far with the hardest. Kentucky will be intriguing just because of how young they are, what will happen if they get in a pressure situation.

This Duke team is better than the last three editions, hopefully they perform better than recent teams. Wouldn't surprise me if they get bounced before the Elite 8 though, Louisville could be tough depending on which Louisville team shows up. They got the weakest four seed in Purdue, and an iffy two seed in Villanova.

Kansas got SCREWED. National Player of the year, ACC player of the year. 2 of the Big Ten co-champs, Big Ten tourney champ, Big East tournament runner-up, ACC tournament runner-up, ACC regular season co-champ, a team that has beat Kansas and Kentucky, and MWC player of the year, regular season champ, and tourney champ. I just can't understand how the committee looked at these regions and thought it was fair to Kansas and Kentucky, the top 2 teams according to them. I can't believe they have Villanova ahead of Ohio State. Just boggles my mind how they can punish Kansas so much for being the overall number 1.

Terry_Tate wrote: Kansas got SCREWED. National Player of the year, ACC player of the year. 2 of the Big Ten co-champs, Big Ten tourney champ, Big East tournament runner-up, ACC tournament runner-up, ACC regular season co-champ, a team that has beat Kansas and Kentucky, and MWC player of the year, regular season champ, and tourney champ. I just can't understand how the committee looked at these regions and thought it was fair to Kansas and Kentucky, the top 2 teams according to them. I can't believe they have Villanova ahead of Ohio State. Just boggles my mind how they can punish Kansas so much for being the overall number 1.

They are also Kansas. Did you see their reaction? Its a business trip to them. They will play as such.

CinciX12 wrote:

Terry_Tate wrote: Kansas got SCREWED. National Player of the year, ACC player of the year. 2 of the Big Ten co-champs, Big Ten tourney champ, Big East tournament runner-up, ACC tournament runner-up, ACC regular season co-champ, a team that has beat Kansas and Kentucky, and MWC player of the year, regular season champ, and tourney champ. I just can't understand how the committee looked at these regions and thought it was fair to Kansas and Kentucky, the top 2 teams according to them. I can't believe they have Villanova ahead of Ohio State. Just boggles my mind how they can punish Kansas so much for being the overall number 1.

They are also Kansas. Did you see their reaction? Its a business trip to them. They will play as such.

Haha, their reaction was great. Just like yeah yeah, tell us where we're going.

I think they'll make the final four and win it all, but it's going to be a tough road to get there and I think the benefit for them is every other team in that region will be scratching and clawing their way to victory while Kansas will just take care of business.

I could just picture the guy texting someone and saying 'OMG this is so gay I want to go out already and fight the fball team again'

It's crazy the turnaround on here from like a week and a half ago, til now.

A lot of people on here were like "Syracuse is the best team in teh country, and will be my pick to win the title"...2 losses later, I don't think i've seen or heard of anyone even having them in the championship game.

SportsAndLady wrote: It's crazy the turnaround on here from like a week and a half ago, til now.

A lot of people on here were like "Syracuse is the best team in teh country, and will be my pick to win the title"...2 losses later, I don't think i've seen or heard of anyone even having them in the championship game.

I never wavered. I got em winning it all.

But yes, people put WAY to much weight on the game that has just been played.

I have Syracuse-Duke. I, too, have not wavered.

Can someone explain to me why does the media love Duke so much?

Can someone explain to me why does the media love Duke so much?

Same reason referees and the selection committee likes them.

Laley23 wrote:

SportsAndLady wrote: It's crazy the turnaround on here from like a week and a half ago, til now.

A lot of people on here were like "Syracuse is the best team in teh country, and will be my pick to win the title"...2 losses later, I don't think i've seen or heard of anyone even having them in the championship game.

I never wavered. I got em winning it all.

But yes, people put WAY to much weight on the game that has just been played.

Very true. I've been burnt in brackets because of shit like that. I can assure all of you that:

1. I'll have Georgia Tech going out in the first round. They were on the wrong side of the bubble until they got hot and made the ACC finals before losing a close one to Duke. Because of that run, they are candidates to be that overvalued team that immediately disappears after reverting to form.

2. Also in that group: Minnesota. Really, all the Big 10 except Ohio State and maybe Wisconsin are suspect. Michigan State is in the Villanova category of being really suspect recently, but still seeded well. Purdue has been Purdon't without Hummel...edging poor teams and losing to good ones.

3. Discipline is key: I have a number of high seeds that I have a feeling could be upset in the early rounds. This year, I won't go crazy eliminating those teams on whims. That always kicks my ass.

Laley23 wrote:

SportsAndLady wrote: It's crazy the turnaround on here from like a week and a half ago, til now.

A lot of people on here were like "Syracuse is the best team in teh country, and will be my pick to win the title"...2 losses later, I don't think i've seen or heard of anyone even having them in the championship game.

I never wavered. I got em winning it all.

But yes, people put WAY to much weight on the game that has just been played.

reclegend22 wrote: I have Syracuse-Duke. I, too, have not wavered.

I have Syracuse winning it all as well.

Duke has the easiest path if you just look at the quality of teams, but a potential matchup with A & M in Houston wouldn't be a party and Baylor there wouldn't be easy either. Neither would Villanova, who blasted them last year.

Michigan State is in the Villanova category of being really suspect recently, but still seeded well.

Michigan State is a 5 seed while Nova is a 2 seed. Clearly the Spartans were punished for going 5-5 over their last 10, while Nova was not punished for losing 5 of their last 7.

Yeah, Duke having to play Baylor or A&M in Houston is a tough draw honestly. Not team wise, but location wise. Then again, I thought that when Texas got the Regional final in Texas and was blasted.

Prescott wrote:

Michigan State is in the Villanova category of being really suspect recently, but still seeded well.

Michigan State is a 5 seed while Nova is a 2 seed. Clearly the Spartans were punished for going 5-5 over their last 10, while Nova was not punished for losing 5 of their last 7.

Yeah, but look at Nova's losses:

1 seed-@ syracuse
2 seed-WVU in ot at home
3 seed-@ pitt, @ gtown
6 seed-Marquette neutral court
unranked-uconn at home...not the worst unranked team to lose to, as they do have quality wins on their resume'.

Look at MSU's losses:

2 seed-OSU at home
4 seed-@ wisconsin, purdue at home
11 seed-minnesota neutral court
unranked-@ illinois


That's a brutal stretch on their season for Nova, and a not so tough one for MSU. Nova also had a great win, @ west virginia in that stretch...whereas, MSU had a win at Purdue, but without Robbie Hummel.

Also, i'm sure last year's final four run for Nova came into play considering they returned that entire core.

I agree that the strength of losses nad/or schedule had something to do with it and the argument is definitely legit. MSU for sure got dinged up by lesser teams. But MSU was in the Final Four also and they both lost a key piece; Suton for MSU and Dante Cunningham for Nova, but returned a ton. I have more of an issue with Purdue being seeded over Michigan State. Purdue with Hummel is a one seed for sure. Minus him, MSU is clearly better and they proved it at Purdue.