Final NIT Bracket, NCAA Results

NCAA Results
Correctly Seeded- 30/68
Within 1 Seed Line- 55/68
Correctly Picked- 65/68

I had Virginia Tech, St. Mary's, and BC in and missed UAB, VCU, and USC.


Final NIT Bracket
1- Virginia Tech, BC, Alabama, Colorado
2- St. Mary’s*, Missouri St.*, Nebraska, Baylor
3- Washington St., Miss St., Ole Miss, Maryland
4- Wichita St., Miami Fl., Oklahoma St., Cal
5- Northwestern, Dayton, Harvard, Arkansas
6- Charleston*, Kent St.*, Wisconsin-Milwaukee*, Fairfield*
7- Long Beach St.*, Vermont*, Florida Atlantic*, Coastal Carolina*
8- Murray St.*, McNeese St.*, Texas Southern*, Bethune-Cookman*

*- Auto Bid

UTEP, Viriginia, New Mexico, Cleveland St., Minnesota, Iowa St., Colorado St., Southern Miss, Marshall, UCF

FINAL BRACKET

1 Seeds
Ohio St. (Big Ten)
Kansas (Big 12)
Pittsburgh
Duke (ACC)

2 Seeds
Notre Dame
UNC
UConn (Big East)
Texas

3 Seeds
Kentucky (SEC)
Florida
San Diego St. (Mt. West)
Syracuse

4 Seeds
Purdue
Louisville
Wisconsin
Arizona

5 Seeds
BYU
Vandy
West Virginia
Xavier

6 Seeds
St. John’s
Texas A&M
Kansas St.
Georgetown

7 Seeds
Washington (Pac-10)
Temple
Old Dominion (CAA)
Cincinnati

8 Seeds
UNLV
Missouri
UCLA
Tennessee

9 Seeds
Villanova
Butler (Horizon)
Michigan
Richmond (A-10)

10 Seeds
Marquette
George Mason
Memphis (C-USA)
Michigan St.

11 Seeds
Gonzaga (WCC)
Florida St.
Utah St. (WAC)
Illinois

12 Seeds
Penn St.
Virginia Tech
Georgia*
St. Mary’s*
BC*
Clemson*

13 Seeds
Princeton (Ivy)
Belmont (A-Sun)
Oakland (Summit)
Indiana St. (MVC)

14 Seeds
St. Peter’s (MAAC)
Morehead St. (OVC)
Akron (MAC)
Long Island (NEC)

15 Seeds
Bucknell (Patriot)
Wofford (Southern)
Northern Colorado (Big Sky)
Hampton (MEAC)

16 Seeds
Boston U (Am East)
UCSB (Big West)
UNC Asheville (Big South)*
Ark-Little Rock (Sun Belt)*
UTSA (Southland)*
Alabama St. (SWAC)*

*- play-in games

Big East- 11
Big Ten- 7
ACC- 6
Big 12- 5
SEC- 5
A-10- 3
Mt. West- 3
Pac-10- 3
CAA- 2
WCC- 2

Play-in Games
Georgia vs BC, St. Mary’s vs Clemson
UNC Asheville vs Ark-Little Rock, UTSA vs Alabama St.

First Five Out
Alabama, Colorado, UAB, Harvard, Missouri St.

Bracket Update- 3/13

*Final Bracket during Big Ten championship*

1 Seeds
Ohio St. (Big Ten)
Kansas (Big 12)
Pittsburgh
UNC (ACC)

2 Seeds
Notre Dame
Duke
Florida (SEC)
UConn (Big East)

3 Seeds
Texas
San Diego St. (Mt. West)
Syracuse
Kentucky

4 Seeds
Purdue
Louisville
Wisconsin
BYU

5 Seeds
Arizona
Vandy
West Virginia
Xavier

6 Seeds
Texas A&M
St. John’s
Kansas St.
Washington (Pac-10)

7 Seeds
Temple
Georgetown
Old Dominion (CAA)
UNLV

8 Seeds
Missouri
UCLA
Cincinnati
Tennessee

9 Seeds
Villanova
Butler (Horizon)
Michigan
George Mason

10 Seeds
Marquette
Richmond (A-10)
Gonzaga (WCC)
Michigan St.

11 Seeds
Florida St.
Utah St. (WAC)
Illinois
Memphis (C-USA)

12 Seeds
Georgia
Virginia Tech
Penn St.*
St. Mary’s*
BC*
Clemson*

13 Seeds
Princeton (Ivy)
Belmont (A-Sun)
Oakland (Summit)
Indiana St. (MVC)

14 Seeds
St. Peter’s (MAAC)
Morehead St. (OVC)
Akron (MAC)
Long Island (NEC)

15 Seeds
Bucknell (Patriot)
Wofford (Southern)
Northern Colorado (Big Sky)
Hampton (MEAC)

16 Seeds
Boston U (Am East)
UCSB (Big West)
UNC Asheville (Big South)*
Ark-Little Rock (Sun Belt)*
UTSA (Southland)*
Alabama St. (SWAC)*

*- play-in games

Big East- 11
Big Ten- 7
ACC- 6
Big 12- 5
SEC- 5
A-10- 3
Mt. West- 3
Pac-10- 3
CAA- 2
WCC- 2

In
Memphis
Princeton
Akron
UCSB
UTSA
Alabama St.

Out
UTEP
Harvard
Kent St.
Long Beach St.
McNeese St.
Grambling St.

Play-in Games
Penn St. vs BC, St. Mary’s vs Clemson
UNC Asheville vs Ark-Little Rock, UTSA vs Alabama St.

First Five Out
Alabama, Colorado, UAB, Harvard, Missouri St.

NIT- 3/13

Final NIT Bracket after NCAA selection show.


1- Alabama, Colorado, UAB*, Missouri St.*
2- USC, Nebraska, Baylor, Washington St.
3- Wichita St., Miss St., Ole Miss, Maryland
4- Miami Fl., Oklahoma St., Cal, VCU
5- Northwestern, Dayton, Harvard, UTEP
6- Charleston*, Kent St.*, Wisconsin-Milwaukee*, Fairfield*
7- Long Beach St.*, Vermont*, Florida Atlantic*, Coastal Carolina*
8- Murray St.*, McNeese St.*, Texas Southern*, Bethune-Cookman*

*- Auto Bid

Arkansas, Viriginia, New Mexico, Cleveland St., Minnesota, Iowa St., Colorado St., Southern Miss, Marshall, UCF

Bracket Update- 3/12

Seeds
Ohio St. (Big Ten)
Kansas (Big 12)
Pittsburgh
UNC (ACC)

2 Seeds
Notre Dame
Duke
Texas
Florida (SEC)

3 Seeds
San Diego St. (Mt. West)
Syracuse
Purdue
Kentucky

4 Seeds
Louisville
BYU
UConn
Wisconsin

5 Seeds
Arizona (Pac-10)
Vandy
West Virginia
Xavier

6 Seeds
Texas A&M
St. John’s
Temple (A-10)
Kansas St.

7 Seeds
UCLA
UNLV
Missouri
Cincinnati

8 Seeds
Old Dominion (CAA)
Florida St.
Georgetown
Washington

9 Seeds
Tennessee
Villanova
Butler (Horizon)
Illinois

10 Seeds
George Mason
Marquette
Richmond
Michigan

11 Seeds
Michigan St.
Gonzaga (WCC)
Utah St. (WAC)
Georgia

12 Seeds
Virginia Tech
St. Mary’s*
Clemson*
BC*
Penn St.*
UTEP (C-USA)

13 Seeds
Harvard (Ivy)
Belmont (A-Sun)
Oakland (Summit)
Indiana St. (MVC)

14 Seeds
St. Peter’s (MAAC)
Morehead St. (OVC)
Kent St. (MAC)
Long Beach St. (Big West)

15 Seeds
Long Island (NEC)
Bucknell (Patriot)
Wofford (Southern)
Northern Colorado (Big Sky)

16 Seeds
Boston U (Am East)
Hampton (MEAC)
McNeese St. (Southland)*
UNC Asheville (Big South)*
Ark-Little Rock (Sun Belt)*
Grambling St. (SWAC)*

*- play-in games

Big East- 11
Big Ten- 7
ACC- 6
Big 12- 5
SEC- 5
A-10- 3
Mt. West- 3
Pac-10- 3
CAA- 2
WCC- 2

In
Clemson
Penn St.
Grambling St.

Out
Colorado
UAB
Texas Southern

Play-in Games
St. Mary's vs Clemson, BC vs Penn St.
McNeese St. vs UNC Asheville, Ark-Little Rock vs Grambling St.

First Five Out
Alabama, Colorado, UAB, Missouri St., Memphis

NIT- 3/12

1- Alabama, Colorado, UAB*, Missouri St.*
2- Memphis, USC, Nebraska, Baylor
3- Wichita St., Washington St., Miss St., Ole Miss
4- Maryland, Miami Fl., Oklahoma St., Cal
5- VCU, Northwestern, Arkansas, New Mexico
6- Colorado St., Cleveland St., Virginia, Charleston*
7- Wisconsin-Milwaukee*, Fairfield*, Vermont*, Florida Atlantic*
8- Coastal Carolina*, Murray St.*, Texas Southern*, Bethune-Cookman*

*- Auto Bid

Minnesota, Iowa St., Dayton, Princeton, Drexel, Southern Miss, Marshall, UCF

Bracket Update- 3/11

1 Seeds
Ohio St. (Big Ten)
Kansas (Big 12)
Pittsburgh
Notre Dame (Big East)

2 Seeds
UNC (ACC)
Duke
Texas
Florida (SEC)

3 Seeds
San Diego St. (Mt. West)
Purdue
Kentucky
Syracuse

4 Seeds
BYU
Louisville
Wisconsin
UConn

5 Seeds
Arizona (Pac-10)
Vandy
Xavier (A-10)
West Virginia

6 Seeds
Texas A&M
St. John’s
Kansas St.
Temple

7 Seeds
UCLA
UNLV
Missouri
Cincinnati

8 Seeds
Illinois
Old Dominion (CAA)
Florida St.
Georgetown

9 Seeds
Tennessee
Washington
Villanova
BC

10 Seeds
George Mason
Georgia
Marquette
Butler (Horizon)

11 Seeds
Richmond
Utah St. (WAC)
Gonzaga (WCC)
Michigan

12 Seeds
St. Mary’s
Virginia Tech*
Michigan St.*
Colorado*
UAB*
UTEP (C-USA)

13 Seeds
Harvard (Ivy)
Belmont (A-Sun)
Oakland (Summit)
Indiana St. (MVC)

14 Seeds
St. Peter’s (MAAC)
Morehead St. (OVC)
Kent St. (MAC)
Long Beach St. (Big West)

15 Seeds
Long Island (NEC)
Bucknell (Patriot)
Wofford (Southern)
Northern Colorado (Big Sky)

16 Seeds
Boston U (Am East)
Hampton (MEAC)
McNeese St. (Southland)*
UNC Asheville (Big South)*
Texas Southern (SWAC)*
Ark-Little Rock (Sun Belt)*

*- play-in games

Big East- 11
Big Ten- 6
Big 12- 6
ACC- 5
SEC- 5
A-10- 3
Mt. West- 3
Pac-10- 3
CAA- 2
C-USA- 2
WCC- 2

In
Colorado

Out
Missouri St.

Play-in Games
Virginia Tech vs Michigan St., Colorado vs. UAB
McNeese St. vs UNC Asheville, Texas Southern vs Ark-Little Rock

First Four Out
Missouri St., Clemson, Penn St., Memphis

Also Considered
Alabama, USC, Cleveland St.

NIT- 3/11

1- Missouri St., Clemson, Penn St., Memphis
2- Alabama, USC, New Mexico, Nebraska
3- Baylor, Wichita St., Washington St., Miss St.
4- Maryland, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Miami Fl.
5- Oklahoma St., VCU, Cleveland St., Cal
6- Northwestern, Colorado St., Minnesota, Virginia
7- Iowa St., Charleston*, Wisconsin-Milwaukee*, Fairfield*
8- Vermont*, Florida Atlantic*, Coastal Carolina*, Murray St.*

*- Auto Bid

Princeton, Southern Miss, Drexel, Marshall, UCF, Valpo, Dayton, Hofstra

Bracket Update- 3/9

Seeds
Ohio St. (Big Ten)
Kansas (Big 12)
Pittsburgh (Big East)
Notre Dame

2 Seeds
UNC (ACC)
Duke
Texas
Florida (SEC)

3 Seeds
San Diego St. (Mt. West)
Purdue
BYU
Kentucky

4 Seeds
Louisville
Wisconsin
Syracuse
Arizona (Pac-10)

5 Seeds
Vandy
UConn
Xavier (A-10)
Kansas St.

6 Seeds
St. John’s
UCLA
West Virginia
Texas A&M

7 Seeds
Temple
UNLV
Missouri
Cincinnati

8 Seeds
Illinois
Old Dominion (CAA)
Florida St.
Georgetown

9 Seeds
Tennesee
Villanova
Washington
BC

10 Seeds
George Mason
Richmond
Georgia
Butler (Horizon)

11 Seeds
Marquette
Utah St. (WAC)
Gonzaga (WCC)
UAB

12 Seeds
St. Mary’s
Michigan*
Virginia Tech*
Missouri St.*
Michigan St.*
UTEP (C-USA)

13 Seeds
Harvard (Ivy)
Belmont (A-Sun)
Oakland (Summit)
Indiana St. (MVC)

14 Seeds
St. Peter’s (MAAC)
Morehead St. (OVC)
Kent St. (MAC)
Long Beach St. (Big West)

15 Seeds
Bucknell (Patriot)
Long Island (NEC)
Wofford (Southern)
Northern Colorado (Big Sky)

16 Seeds
Boston U (Am East)
Hampton (MEAC)
McNeese St. (Southland)*
UNC Asheville (Big South)*
Texas Southern (SWAC)*
Ark-Little Rock (Sun Belt)*

*- play-in games

Big East- 11
Big Ten- 6
ACC- 5
Big 12- 5
SEC- 5
A-10- 3
Mt. West- 3
Pac-10- 3
CAA- 2
C-USA- 2
MVC- 2
WCC- 2

In
St. Peter’s
Wofford
Ark-Little Rock

Out
Iona
Charleston
North Texas

Play-in Games
Michigan vs Virginia Tech, Missouri St. vs. Michigan St.
McNeese St. vs UNC Asheville, Texas Southern vs Ark-Little Rock

First Four Out
Clemson, Baylor, Penn St., Memphis

Also Considered
Alabama, Colorado, Nebraska, Cleveland St.

Postseason Tournament Predictions V

Big Ten
Preseason Predicted Champ- Michigan St.
Regular Season Champ- Ohio St.
Predicted Postseason Champ- Ohio St.

Ohio St. has been the best team in the country so far and only lost at Wisconsin and at Purdue, two places that few teams ever win. In fact, Wisconsin and Purdue went a combined 33-0 at home this year. Ohio St. destroyed both at home and should be able to take them on a neutral floor. Ohio St., Wisconsin, and Purdue are all locks for the tournament and all have a good chance for top 4 seeds while Illinois will most likely be in as well. Michigan, Michigan St., and Penn St. are all on the bubble. All went 9-9 in Big Ten play and played a tough schedule. Michigan is in the best shape since they swept Michigan St. and Penn St. but need one more win. Penn St. and Michigan St. both have somewhat easy first round games before playing Wisconsin and Purdue respectively. If they win those games then they have a decent chance of getting selected but might still need help from other bubble games.


ACC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Duke
Regular Season Champ- North Carolina
Predicted Postseason Champ- North Carolina

North Carolina and Duke are the two best ACC teams by far and should meet in the ACC finals again. They split the season series but North Carolina has been playing really well since they shored up the point guard situation that I can’t see them losing in this tournament. Florida St. is locked into the NCAA tournament along with UNC and Duke while Boston College, Virginia Tech and Clemson all have work to do. Right now BC is in the best shape thanks to good computer numbers and a season sweep of Virginia Tech along with a 9-7 ACC record. However should they get past Wake Forest (and they better), they would play Clemson. A Clemson win would in that game would give the Tigers a season sweep of BC although they didn’t play at BC. Virginia Tech was looking great after beating Duke but followed that up by losing to BC and at Clemson. They went 0-3 against Clemson and BC and need to at least beat Georgia Tech who they split with in the regular season to feel good about their chances on Selection Sunday.


SEC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Kentucky
Regular Season Champ- Florida
Predicted Postseason Champ- Florida

Florida was the class of the SEC this year and is probably the best SEC team for tournament purposes since Kentucky is so young, Vandy is not that great away from home, and Tennessee is very erratic. Florida, Kentucky, and Vandy are all locked into the field while Tennessee and Georgia probably just need one win at worst. Alabama on the other hand needs to at least reach the finals since their out of conference schedule was so poor even though they went 12-4 in SEC play. Alabama could be this year’s version of the 2010 Virginia Tech team that went 10-6 in ACC play.


Pac-10
Preseason Predicted Champ- Washington
Regular Season Champ- Arizona
Predicted Postseason Champ- UCLA

Arizona was the regular season Pac-10 champion but went 0-2 in Los Angeles where the Pac-10 tournament is being played. UCLA on the other hand went 8-2 in LA including winning 7 straight at the end of the season. Arizona and UCLA are both locked into the field with Washington likely in as well. The Huskies however might want to win their opening round game against rival Washington St who swept them in the regular season. Washington St., USC, and possibly Cal are all on the edge of the bubble but all need at least two wins to be in the serious conversation come selection Sunday.


Mt. West
Preseason Predicted Champ- UNLV
Regular Season Champ- BYU, San Diego St.
Predicted Postseason Champ- San Diego St.

BYU, San Diego St., and UNLV are all safely in the NCAA tournament. San Diego St. might have the toughest road to the championship but I think they will prevail. They will most likely play UNLV in the semifinals and the Runnin’ Rebels will be at home but the Aztecs swept UNLV including a 6 point win at the Thomas and Mack Center. They would then most likely play BYU in the finals and although BYU swept them that was when Brandon Davies was playing. Colorado St. and New Mexico play a bubble elimination game in their opening game and the winner of that has to beat BYU to have any chance of getting an at-large bid.


WAC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Utah St.
Regular Season Champ- Utah St.
Predicted Postseason Champ- Utah St.

Utah St. again dominated the WAC going 15-1 and have a bye to the WAC semifinals. They should win the conference tournament and bubble teams across the country hope they do but if they don’t they would be right on the NCAA bubble.


MAC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Ohio
Regular Season Champ- Kent St.
Predicted Postseason Champ- Ohio

Kent St. won the conference at 12-4 but there were 8 teams who went .500 or better in conference play. Ohio was one of them going 9-7. They won 4 of 5 to end the season including a win at Kent St. They also have a favorable road to the finals since the two teams that beat them by double digits are in the other half of the bracket.

Postseason Tournament Predictions IV

Big East
Preseason Predicted Champ- Villanova
Regular Season Champ- Pittsburgh
Predicted Postseason Champ- Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh won the tough Big East by a game over Notre Dame with both those teams looking like the class of the Big East field. Notre Dame did win at Pitt where no one ever wins but Pittsburgh has seemingly owned the Big East tournament the last several years and should do it again. Right now, ten Big East teams appear to be locks as Cincinnati has overcome their poor non-conference slate to win 11 Big East games. Still their seed should be lower then some teams that finished below them in the Big East standings. Marquette has no bad losses but so many close losses to really great teams. Two wins should lock them into the field and one should be enough as well but if they lose to Providence in the first round of the Big East tournament then they will likely be a one seed in the NIT.


Big 12
Preseason Predicted Champ- Kansas
Regular Season Champ- Kansas
Predicted Postseason Champ- Kansas

Kansas won the Big 12 regular season title again and is well on their way to a one seed in the NCAAs. They will get a one seed with one win in the Big 12 tournament. Texas, Texas A&M, Missouri, and Kansas St. are all locked int the field while Colorado, Nebraska, Baylor, and possibly Oklahoma St. are all on the bubble. Nebraska vs Oklahoma St. is an elimination game while the winner almost certainly has to beat Kansas. Oklahoma St. because of their 6-10 Big 12 record and Nebraska because of their 7-9 Big 12 record and poor OOC SOS. Colorado probably needs to at least reach the semis since they have an awful OOC resume and bubble teams with an awful SOS have been left out in recent years (Virginia Tech last year). Baylor also needs to beat Texas and reach the semis as their computer numbers and Big 12 record are poor as well.


A-10
Preseason Predicted Champ- Temple
Regular Season Champ- Xavier
Predicted Postseason Champ- Xavier

Xavier and Temple were the class of the A-10 all season long. Xavier went 15-1 in the A-10 and did not lose to any team that qualified for the A-10 tournament. They also beat Temple in their only head-to-head meeting and have won nine straight including a win at Georgia. Richmond is also looking good for the NCAAs but might want to win one A-10 game to be safe. Everyone else including Duquesne and Dayton need to win the auto bid.


C-USA
Preseason Predicted Champ- Memphis
Regular Season Champ- UAB
Predicted Postseason Champ- UTEP

C-USA has quite a few teams in the RPI top 50 so it makes sense to think C-USA deserves more than one at-large team. However, C-USA this year reminds me of as a slightly worse version of the 2006 MVC which got four teams into the tournament although Wichita St. was the only single digit (7) seed. UAB could get an at-large selection since they were the outright C-USA champions but they don’t really have much of a profile otherwise. Memphis did win at Gonzaga but lost all their big out of conference games by double digits (Georgetown, at Tennessee, and at Kansas). However they did well against the top 50 RPI C-USA teams and while the committee will discount that, it will still count for something. UTEP is the pick for tournament champion since they are hosting the tournament and would most likely be a 12 or 13 seed and may be a bid stealer (they may take a bid that otherwise would go to UAB or Memphis)


Big West
Preseason Predicted Champ- UCSB
Regular Season Champ- Long Beach St.
Predicted Postseason Champ- Long Beach St.

Long Beach St. only went 6-8 against non-conference D1 teams but it was against the 5th most difficult non-conference schedule. That prepared them for conference play were they went 14-2 against the Big West and won the conference by four games. Both losses were on the road and Long Beach has won ten in a row since the setbacks. Look for them to be a 15 seed while if anyone else wins they would be in a First Four game.


Southland
Preseason Predicted Champ- Texas St.
Regular Season Champ- McNeese St.
Predicted Postseason Champ- Northwestern St.

Really any of the eight teams that qualified for the postseason tournament can win. There is only a three game difference between the top seed, McNeese St., and the last seed, Nicholls St. Northwestern St. is the pick because they won three of four to end the season and the lost was by a bucket at Nicholls St. The winner is likely going to be in headed to Dayton for a First Four game.


SWAC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Jackson St.
Regular Season Champ- Texas Southern
Predicted Postseason Champ- Texas Southern

Texas Southern won the regular season title by four games and only lost twice both on the road. They should dominate this postseason tournament but are destined for one of the play-in games.

Bracket Update- 3/7

1 Seeds
Ohio St. (Big Ten)
Kansas (Big 12)
Pittsburgh (Big East)
Notre Dame

2 Seeds
UNC (ACC)
Duke
Texas
Florida (SEC)

3 Seeds
San Diego St. (Mt. West)
Purdue
BYU
Kentucky

4 Seeds
Louisville
Wisconsin
Syracuse
Arizona (Pac-10)

5 Seeds
Vandy
UConn
Xavier (A-10)
Kansas St.

6 Seeds
St. John’s
UCLA
West Virginia
Texas A&M

7 Seeds
Temple
UNLV
Villanova
Missouri

8 Seeds
Illinois
Cincinnati
Old Dominion (CAA)
Florida St.

9 Seeds
Georgetown
Tennessee
Washington
BC

10 Seeds
George Mason
Richmond
St. Mary’s (WCC)
Georgia

11 Seeds
Marquette
Butler (Horizon)
Utah St. (WAC)
UAB

12 Seeds
Michigan
Virginia Tech*
Missouri St.*
Michigan St.*
Gonzaga*
UTEP (C-USA)

13 Seeds
Harvard (Ivy)
Belmont (A-Sun)
Oakland (Summit)
Iona (MAAC)

14 Seeds
Charleston (Southern)
Morehead St. (OVC)
Kent St. (MAC)
Indiana St. (MVC)

15 Seeds
Long Beach St. (Big West)
Bucknell (Patriot)
Long Island (NEC)
Northern Colorado (Big Sky)

16 Seeds
North Texas (Sun Belt)
Boston U (Am East)
Hampton (MEAC)*
McNeese St. (Southland)*
UNC Asheville (Big South)*
Texas Southern (SWAC)*

*- play-in games

Big East- 11
Big Ten- 6
ACC- 5
Big 12- 5
SEC- 5
A-10- 3
Mt. West- 3
Pac-10- 3
CAA- 2
C-USA- 2
MVC- 2
WCC- 2

In
Indiana St.
Iona
Morehead St.
North Texas
Boston U
UNC Asheville

Out
Cleveland St.
Fairfield
Murray St.
Florida Atlantic
Vermont
Coastal Carolina

Play-in Games
Virginia Tech vs Missouri St., Michigan St. vs Gonzaga
Hampton vs McNeese St., UNC Asheville vs Texas Southern

First Four Out
Clemson, Baylor, Penn St., Memphis

Also Considered
Alabama, Colorado, Nebraska, Cleveland St.

NIT- 3/7

1- Clemson, Baylor, Penn St., Memphis
2- Alabama, Colorado, Nebraska, Cleveland St.
3- Wichita St., Washington St., USC, Miss St.
4- Maryland, Cal, Arkansas, Ole Miss
5- Oklahoma St., Miami Fl., VCU, Colorado St.
6- Northwestern, Minnesota, Virginia, Southern Miss
7- Princeton, Drexel, New Mexico, Fairfield*
8- Vermont*, Florida Atlantic*, Coastal Carolina*, Murray St.*

*- Auto Bid

Marshall, UCF, Valpo, Dayton, Hofstra, Iowa St., NC State, Stanford

Postseason Tournament Predictions III

WCC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Gonzaga
Regular Season Champ- St. Mary’s, Gonzaga
Predicted Postseason Champ- Gonzaga

It looked liked St. Mary’s would be the clear favorite just a few weeks ago but since then they have lost 3 of 4 including one to bottom dweller San Diego. They ended up tying Gonzaga for the regular season title and splitting the season series. Gonzaga won the most recent meeting which was at St. Mary’s. Both St. Mary’s and Gonzaga would be right on the bubble if they don’t win the auto bid.


Sun Belt
Preseason Predicted Champ- North Texas
Regular Season Champ- Florida Atlantic
Predicted Postseason Champ- Louisiana Lafayette

No team really stands out however Louisiana Lafayette won ten straight conference games to end the regular season. Florida Atlantic was the regular season champion but lost at home to La-Lafayette just a few weeks ago. A potential rematch looms in the semis with the winner the favorite in the finals.


Summit
Preseason Predicted Champ- Oral Robers
Regular Season Champ- Oakland
Predicted Postseason Champ- Oakland

Oakland dominated the Summit Conference regular season going 17-1 with their only loss at IUPUI. They should breeze through the tournament and should be a 13 seed with no 4 seed wanting to play.


Big Sky
Preseason Predicted Champ- Northern Colorado
Regular Season Champ- Northern Colorado
Predicted Postseason Champ- Northern Colorado

Northern Colorado receives a bye to the semifinals and will have home court advantage for both games. They went undefeated at home during the regular season and won all those games by at least ten points except one. However, that one was only by 1 point and it was to Northern Arizona who they may face in the semis. They also lost at Northern Arizona by 11. So that game would present a challenge for Northern Colorado but I think they’re up for it.


MEAC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Bethune-Cookman
Regular Season Champ- Bethune-Cookman
Predicted Postseason Champ- Bethune-Cookman

Bethune-Cookman went 13-3 and won the MEAC regular season title by 2 games. However, their 3 losses were all at home to the teams that finished 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in the MEAC. They didn’t play return games at Morgan St. or Coppin St. but did win at Hampton. The winner of the MEAC is seemingly destined for one of the play-in games.

Bracket Update- 3/4

1 Seeds
Ohio St. (Big Ten)
Kansas (Big 12)
Pittsburgh (Big East)
Duke (ACC)

2 Seeds
Purdue
Notre Dame
Texas
San Diego St. (Mt. West)

3 Seeds
Florida (SEC)
UNC
BYU
Wisconsin

4 Seeds
Louisville
Syracuse
Kentucky
Vandy

5 Seeds
UConn
Arizona (Pac-10)
Xavier (A-10)
Kansas St.

6 Seeds
St. John’s
Georgetown
Villanova
UCLA

7 Seeds
West Virginia
Texas A&M
UNLV
Temple

8 Seeds
Missouri
Tennessee
Washington
Illinois

9 Seeds
Florida St.
George Mason (CAA)
Georgia
Old Dominion

10 Seeds
Cincinnati
Richmond
St. Mary’s (WCC)
Marquette

11 Seeds
Virginia Tech
Missouri St. (MVC)
Utah St. (WAC)
UAB

12 Seeds
BC
Michigan*
Michigan St.*
Butler*
Gonzaga*
Cleveland St. (Horizon)

13 Seeds
UTEP (C-USA)
Harvard (Ivy)
Belmont (A-Sun)
Oakland (Summit)

14 Seeds
Charleston (Southern)
Kent St. (MAC)
Bucknell (Patriot)
Vermont (America East)

15 Seeds
Fairfield (MAAC)
Long Island (NEC)
Long Beach St. (Big West)
Florida Atlantic (Sun Belt)

16 Seeds
Murray St. (OVC)
Coastal Carolina (Big South)
Northern Colorado (Big Sky)*
Hampton (MEAC)*
Texas Southern (SWAC)*
McNeese St. (Southland)*

*- play-in games

Big East- 11
Big Ten- 6
ACC- 5
Big 12- 5
SEC- 5
A-10- 3
Mt. West- 3
Pac-10- 3
CAA- 2
C-USA- 2
Horizon- 2
WCC- 2

In
BC
Michigan
Gonzaga
McNeese St.

Out
Baylor
Maryland
Penn St.
SFA

Play-in Games
Michigan vs Butler, Michigan St. vs Gonzaga
Northern Colorado vs Hampton, Texas Southern vs McNeese St.

First Four Out
Oklahoma St., Baylor, Wichita St., Nebraska

Also Considered
Clemson, Maryland, Penn St., Washington St.

NIT- 3/4

1- Oklahoma St., Baylor, Wichita St., Nebraska
2- Clemson, Maryland, Penn St., Washington St.
3- Alabama, Colorado, Arkansas, Memphis
4- Miami Fl., USC, Cal, Miss St.
5- Colorado St., Ole Miss, Minnesota, Southern Miss
6- VCU, Northwestern, UCF, Marshall
7- Princeton, Drexel, New Mexico, NC State
8- Iowa St., James Madison, Valpo, Dayton

South Carolina, Virginia, Stanford, Rhode Island, Hofstra, Iona, Duquesne

Postseason Tournament Predictions II

CAA
Preseason Predicted Champ- George Mason
Regular Season Champ- George Mason
Predicted Postseason Champ- George Mason

George Mason hasn’t lost since early January when they dropped back to back games against Hofstra and Old Dominion who both finished tied for second. Since then, George Mason has won 15 straight including beating Hofstra and Old Dominion by double digits. George Mason is locked into the field thanks to a CAA regular season title while Old Dominion is likely in but needs to avoid a bad loss.


MVC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Wichita St.
Regular Season Champ- Missouri St.
Predicted Postseason Champ- Missouri St.

Missouri St. ended the MVC regular season on a six game winning streak including a win over Wichita St. to complete a season sweep of the Shockers. Both Missouri St. and Wichita St. could get at-large bids but the need to make the final and lose to the other to have a realistic shot. Missouri St. at this point has a slightly better resume than Wichita St.


Southern
Preseason Predicted Champ- Wofford
Regular Season Champ- Charleston, Wofford
Predicted Postseason Champ- Charleston

Charleston did lose their last two games but they were both away from home against teams that they wouldn’t face until the final and both teams are unlikely to get there. They have the Southern Conference player of the year on their team and also won at Tennessee by 13. The tournament is being played at Chattanooga but the Mocs lost 4 of 6 conference games to end the year including a 39 point loss to Wofford who will most likely be Charleston’s opponent in the final but is a team Charleston swept.


MAAC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Iona
Regular Season Champ- Fairfield
Predicted Postseason Champ- Iona

Iona just wrapped up a season ending seven game winning streak with a win over conference champion Fairfield. The Gaels seem to have had their luck since a four game losing streak where three of their losses were by a possession. The fourth loss was by four points at Fairfield where the conference tournament is being played.


America East
Preseason Predicted Champ- Maine
Regular Season Champ- Vermont
Predicted Postseason Champ- Boston U

Vermont is the top seed but they got swept by Boston U including losing the regular season finale at home. The Terriers also ended the season on an eight game winning streak. Hartford is a potential sleeper with their first two games at home. They draw Maine in the first round who they swept and BU most likely in the second who they beat at home earlier in the year.


NEC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Central Connecticut St.
Regular Season Champ- Long Island
Predicted Postseason Champ- Long Island

Long Island has home court throughout the NEC tournament where they went 8-1 during the conference regular season. Their only loss was back in December by 1 to Robert Morris, the defending conference tournament winner. They wouldn’t potentially face RMU until the conference final with a bid on the line.

Postseason Tournament Predictions I

Horizon
Preseason Predicted Champ- Butler
Regular Season Champ- Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Butler, Cleveland St.
Predicted Postseason Champ- Butler

I’d love to pick Cleveland St. but Butler beat them twice even when they were struggling and now Butler is on a seven game winning streak. Cleveland St. may get an at-large bid while Wisconsin-Milwaukee is locked into the NIT if they were to lose.


Big South
Preseason Predicted Champ- Winthrop
Regular Season Champ- Coastal Carolina
Predicted Postseason Champ- UNC Asheville

Coastal Carolina has been struggling since top player, Des Holloway, was suspended. Since that suspension Coastal has lost 2 home games including one to UNC Asheville. Asheville finished in 3rd place in the Big South regular season and ended the year on a three-game conference winning-streak including a win at Coastal, a team they will likely face in the finals despite their struggles.


Atlantic Sun
Preseason Predicted Champ- Lipscomb
Regular Season Champ- Belmont
Predicted Postseason Champ- Belmont

Belmont dominated the regular season and should win the postseason tournament as well. A potential pitfall would be in the 2nd round against either Mercer (game would be at Mercer) or rival Lipscomb who gave Belmont their only conference loss.


Patriot
Preseason Predicted Champ- American
Regular Season Champ- Bucknell
Predicted Postseason Champ- Bucknell

Bucknell has home court throughout the Patriot League tournament. At home they went 7-0 beating teams by almost 16 points a game.


OVC
Preseason Predicted Champ- Murray St.
Regular Season Champ- Murray St.
Predicted Postseason Champ- Murray St.

Murray St. didn’t dominate the Ohio Valley like I thought but they still won the OVC outright. They receive a bye to the semis and will likely face Morehead St. in the finals. The two teams split in the regular season with Murray St. winning last week 70-62 and Racers led by 21 midway through the second half. In that game Murray St. did a pretty good job of slowing down Morehead St.’s and OVC player of the year Kenneth Faried until the game was out of reach.


Ivy League
Preseason Predicted Champ- Princeton