Just my random thoughts on the Tournament.
Midwest:
This bracket features overall #1 seed Louisville, a pretty solid #2 Michigan State, last years reigning Champion #3 Kansas, and PAC-10 Tournament Champion #10 USC. My major beef with this bracket is not that Arizona is in there, but with Big Ten Tournament runner-up, #8 Ohio State. See Ohio State is playing a virtual home games in Dayton, and that could work to their advantage when, and if, they meet up with Louisville in the 2nd round. Now the Cardinals won both the Big East regular and tournament, and they are definitely battle tested, but never underestimate the power of the home court advantage that Ohio State will have. For all of that, Louisville should get the Sweet Sixteen let alone to the Regional Final to play against Michigan State.
Midwest Upset Alert:
One of the potential major upsets that I can see in this region is probably North Dakota State upsetting Kansas in the First Round. While watching ESPN Selection Coverage, alot of the analysts were saying that Arizona could get by Utah in the #5 – #12 matchup but the way Arizona finished the season, I think the upset there will be Utah beating Arizona, (if that makes any sense).
West:
This region is pretty well stacked and there is a possibility of pretty great Sweet Sixteen game between, Memphis vs. Missouri in Glendale. Also, beware of a Second Round matchup that could pit Purdue and Washington, which I like Washington in that game. In the end however, I think the Regional Final will be another #1 vs #2 matchup between Connecticut and Memphis.
West Upset Alert:
I like 2 lower seeded teams to win in the First Round and they are; Utah State, and Maryland. The reason for Utah State is that Marquette is already feeling the effects of not having Dominic James in the lineup and also they will have a tough time stopping Utah State’s big man Gary Wilkinson.
Tags: tournament