March to Madness

The NCAA Tournament bracket has been released and wow, this is going to be madness. There's a lot of intriguing match ups and some really interesting potential games based on the seedings. There is a lot of parity right now in college basketball and it's a wide open race to Houston. Saddle up and let the fun begin.

Let's start our babbling with the bubble watch. It's funny how everybody hangs on the bubble teams. Who's going to get in? Who got snubbed? In reality, it doesn't matter. The bubble teams historically don't do much damage in the tournament but no NCAA Tournament is complete with some grumbling.

Which teams got screwed?

St. Mary's - tied with Gonzaga for the WCC title and lost to the Zags in the conference title game. Beat St. John's, Mississippi St, and 1-2 against Gonzaga.

Missouri St. - regular season champs of the Missouri Valley. Swept Wichita St.

Alabama - won the SEC West division. Beat Georgia twice and Kentucky. Side note here. Why does the SEC have divisions in basketball? Seems like a waste if the winner cant get into the Tournament. Time for some change and bundle them all together.

Colorado - finished 8-8 in the Big 12. Notched victories over Texas, Missouri, and Kansas St. three times

Who should be NIT bound?

Georgia - finished 9-7 in the SEC. Lost non conference games against Xavier, Notre Dame, and Temple. Conference losses include Vandy (twice), Tennessee, Alabama (twice), Florida (twice), and Kentucky. Only quality wins are Colorado, UAB, and Tennessee.

Alabama Birmingham - Won Conference USA regular season title but lost in 1st round of conference tournament. Lost both games to Memphis and lost to Arizona St. and Georgia. Best no conference win is VCU.

Virgina Commonwealth - finished 12-6 and in 4th place in the CAA. Lost to Tennessee, Richmond, South Florida, and UAB in non conference action

USC - tied for 4th place in the PAC 10. Gained wins over Tennessee and Texas. Split their match ups with UCLA, Arizona, and Washington. Bad loses to Bradley, Rider, Oregon St., Nebraska, and TCU.

Which teams will exit early and why?

Georgetown - Hoyas haven't won a game since G Chris Wright broke his hand. He's back for the tournament but probably not game ready.

BYU - The Cougars will learn you can't survive on one player's shoulders, even if it is Jimmer.

Louisville - The Cardinals lack of a bog man or any inside game will end their run.

Kansas - The Jayhawks lack a consistent point guard and turn the ball over like a junior high team.

Who is this year's Cinderella?
Richmond
Utah St.
Oakland
Morehead St.

National Champion
Ohio St. Buckeyes