Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted February 25, 2002 The possible Top 4 seeds in each region. East 1.Maryland 2.Pittsburgh 3.Kentucky 4.Ohio St. Midwest 1.Kansas 2.Marquette 3.Florida 4.USC South 1.Duke 2.Alabama 3. Gonzaga 4.Georgia West 1.Cincinnati 2.Oklahoma 3.Arizona 4.Indiana Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cerebus The Aardvark Report post Posted February 26, 2002 Kentucky will be in the South, not the East. Unless the selection committee loses their minds before then, of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted February 26, 2002 Just has long as the commitee makes it so Duke-Kansas can't play until the championship game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted March 1, 2002 I won't be shocked seeing Duke/UK in the same bracket just so they can hope for the 10 year annerversiry of a certain game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AlwaysPissedOff Report post Posted March 2, 2002 Didn't Cincinnati get beat along with Duke this week? If so, Bama may just be able to get a top seed!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MarvinisaLunatic Report post Posted March 2, 2002 Maryland wont be seeded in the East. They always get stuck in the west/midwest. This year will be no different. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cabbageboy Report post Posted March 2, 2002 Alabama is crap, dude. If they got a 1 by some miracle of God they would easily be the worst team to get a 1 ever. I think Duke, Maryland, and Kansas would beat them by 25 without breaking a sweat. Prediction: 2nd round upset waiting to happen. I'm sick of seeing Duke/UK in the same bracket. As far as recreating the 1992 game, they already DID that in 1998. You know what is somewhat puzzling though? On ESPN just now they were discussing Gonzaga possibly getting a 1 seed if OK, AL, and Cincy screw up in the conference tourneys. I dunno, I can't see them getting a 1 since they really didn't even win the WCC! Pepperdine got the 1 seed in that conference. The puzzling part is why hasn't anyone mentioned Western KY in the same breath as Gonzaga? They are 25-3, nearly the same record as Gonzaga and beat KY at Rupp. But I guess since WKU is my parents's alma mater I am for them. I'd love to see them get about a 7 or 10 seed (not an 8 or 9, they'd play a 1 the next round). Those 2 seeds aren't real impressive, what with Pitt and Alabama probable 2s. W. KY can beat those teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AlwaysPissedOff Report post Posted March 2, 2002 Oh please, Bama is the best team in the SEC(probably one of the toughest conferences this year), there's no way Kansas, Duke, or Maryland would blow them out. And seeing that Duke choked against Virgina, they really seem pretty beatable this year. Oh, and I give Gary Williams to the Elite 8 before that team chokes like they do every year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted March 2, 2002 Gonzaga is the most overrated team in the country. There is no way their deserving of a Top #4 seed in tourney. Cabbage Boy is right W.Kentucky is either 25th or just out of the Top 25, and Gonzaga because of past tourney success is ranked #7th.What the hell makes Gonzaga 18 spots and probably about 4 spots higher in the seedings than W.K, or even Kent St. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cabbageboy Report post Posted March 2, 2002 I've seen Alabama play a few times this year and they just didn't do anything I found impressive at all. They beat UK I guess, but UK was awful that game and couldn't throw the ball in water. Bama reminds me of that highly overrated Auburn team in 1999....they won a whole bunch of games but you knew they were nothing. In regards to Gonzaga, they are still sort of an unknown quantity this year. Something kinda sucks about Gonzaga being ranked highly and getting a good seed. Gonzaga is supposed to be the little guy that pulls off the upset. Maybe they should try to join the Pac 10? W. Ky fell out of the rankings due to Chris Marcus getting hurt early in the season and they lost 2 games. I suppose the coaches and writers expected them to flop, but it never happened. Can you imagine Gonzaga winning a game at all without Dan Dickau? That's the beauty of the tourney, we'll find out if these guys are for real or not. Kent St. is ok but I saw them against UK and wasn't thrilled with them. Butler is pretty good though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Gert Report post Posted March 4, 2002 If Maryland wins the ACC Tournament, (which I don't think they will) they will get the East region because tournament games are played in Washington DC. The Gonzaga hype also continues to baffle me, as I seriously consider them as a 5 seed at the highest, but I've picked them to lose in the first round the last three years. I think the fourth number one seed is Cincinnati's to lose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cabbageboy Report post Posted March 4, 2002 "Oh please, Bama is the best team in the SEC (probably one of the toughest conferences this year), there's no way Kansas, Duke, or Maryland would blow them out." Mississippi 84, Alabama 56. You were saying? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Hijo Del Lunatic Report post Posted March 4, 2002 I don't know what Gonzaga has to do to validate themselves to you guys. Their RPI is excellent, considering their schedule, they've beaten six top 100 teams, and their three losses have come to RPI top 50 teams (Marquette, Illinois, and Pepperdine). If they can win the WCC tourney and beat Pepperdine again doing it, I can't see why they're not a three seed. They're the only mid-major "powerhouse" that hasn't had a brainfart in their conference. What else can they do? Of course, the #1 seed is Cincinnati's to lose, but this isn't every other year where Cincinnati is going wipe throught eh conference tourney. I think the game with Memphis showed that they can hang with Cincy (and probably should've finished them off), and we know Marquette can play ball. They could trip up, and they can't afford to if they want to be a #1 seed. That's what all the talk is about. I don't think the 'Zags have a shot at that, but conceivably, if things go right for them (i.e. an early SEC ousting, Oklahoma tripping up early, Pittsburgh not winning the Big East tournament), they could slide up to a #2. Alabama's not a bad team, and I don't think the Mississippi game is indicative of anything, but if the SEC champion is Florida, Alabama, or Kentucky (or maybe even Georgia), they're going to get a #2 seed (barring falter by Cincinnati). As it stands now, Pitt, Oregon, and Oklahoma are the other #2's. If Alabama wants that #2 seed, they need to win the conference tourney. They could drop to a #5 seed if they get rocked early again, though. As far as Western Kentucky goes, sure, they've only got three losses, but those two losses they got when Marcus was out were not to good teams. And yeah, they beat Kentucky pretty well, but that's the only RPI-decent team they've beaten. They don't have the pedigree this year that Gonzaga has, and neither does Kent. I think as it stands now, you've got: #1's: Duke, Kansas, Maryland, Cincy #2's: SEC Champion, Oregon, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh #3's: Marquette, Gonzaga, SEC runner-up, Big 10 Champion #4's: SEC third-place, Oklahoma St., Miami, probably Arizona or the Big Ten runner-up. If I forgot someone, let me know. After that, everyone's even, but Xavier, Miami, whichever SEC team gets cast off, UCLA, Texas Tech, Utah, and a few othes are fighting for #5's. Why, I don't know, since five seeds always lose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Eraser2K2 Report post Posted March 5, 2002 I love this time of year. Absolutely love it. But Ive gotta disagree with most of the things said. First off, El Hijo, it seems like you are looking at the seeds like you would for bowl games. The SEC runner-up could end up being Vanderbilt. Not saying thats going to happen, but its just an example. I can't see Oregon getting a 2 seed. Maybe if they convincingly win the Pac-10 Tournament. But I can see Arizona, UCLA, Cal and Stanford all beating them. A team who just got into the AP Top 25 for the first time this year shouldn't be getting a #2 seed. Gonzaga can't be higher than a 3. Im a fan of Gonzaga, ever since they made the Elite Eight, Ive been rooting for them. But they are still a Mid-Major team, and maybe if they blowout Pepperdine tonight, then they could get a 2 if everything falls right. But a 3 would be a big step for them. I can also see Marquette getting a 2 if they beat Cincinnati in the Conference USA Final. But I dont see that happening either. If Alabama and Kentucky make it to the SEC Final, with a Kentucky win, I can also see them both being 2 seeds. The number ones are of course Duke, Kansas and Maryland, and probably Cincinnati, maybe Oklahoma if they can win the Big 12 championship. If Maryland wins the ACC, they go to East, Duke to the south. Actually, it might be better for Duke to go to the south anyway, as they'll play close to home in the first two rounds anyway because of the new rules, and the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games are in South Carolina, obviously close to Duke. But whatever. Its a lot easier to argue the seedings after they've been made then before the real championship games are played. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted March 5, 2002 Tell me the difference between #6. Gonzaga and #21 W.Kentucky. Both have 3 loses, both play in a crappy conferences, but one was without there best player for 2 months. Gonzaga's rating is based on the last 3 tournaments appearances. It will be interesting to see how Gonzaga reacts to being the favorite instead of the underdog. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Eraser2K2 Report post Posted March 5, 2002 Exactly that, Gonzaga has the history. Thats just the way the tournament works. Western Kentucky is not a proven team. At all. Gonzaga is, and so is their coach. If Western Kentucky goes to the Sweet 16 this year, maybe they get a better seed next year. If they can continue doing this good. Like I said its just how the tournament works. A mid major team should not get a high seed in its first season with a good record. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cabbageboy Report post Posted March 5, 2002 "Exactly that, Gonzaga has the history. Thats just the way the tournament works. Western Kentucky is not a proven team. At all." WKU isn't a proven team or program huh? My god Ed Diddle is 2nd only to Adolph Rupp in KY as far as coaching legends go. WKU made the Final 4 in 1971 (when my parents were going there~!), made the tourney several times under Clem Haskins in the 80s, and had some good years from 93-95. They made the tourney last year as well. That said they gave me a fright last night beating New Mexico St. by 1. As far as their losses this year without Marcus: at Creighton in OT by 3, Creighton made the tourney last night (WKU beat them by 40 or so at Diddle in a rematch)....lost to Vanderbilt by 5 on the road, Vandy can beat anyone in the SEC on a given night. I can't excuse the S. Alabama loss though, it was baffling. U of L beat them by about 54! From what I saw of Gonzaga/Pepperdine last night, those are two DAMN GOOD teams. Dickau is the man. I'd love to see someone like Gonzaga or WKU made a Final 4 run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Eraser2K2 Report post Posted March 6, 2002 Going to the Final Four in 1971 doesn't mean they are currently a proven team. Especially compared to what Gonzaga has done the last 4 years. Im not saying Western Kentucky is a bad team. I dont know a whole lot about them really. But theres no way they should be a 3 seed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cabbageboy Report post Posted March 6, 2002 Time to mark out: WKU 76, Louisiana-Lafayette 70. Hilltoppers baby! Sun Belt champs (yeah it's a lame conference but they won it). Gonna get a big 7 seed, haha. Hell, I never said they'd get a 3, I'm not on drugs you know. If you look at the rankings they are 18 and 21 in the polls, so that is roughly a 5 or 6. They could move up to a solid 5, but a 6 is more feasible. How about a Gonzaga/Western KY 2nd round game (a 3/6 matchup)? Smell the ratings~! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vern Gagne Report post Posted March 6, 2002 Where a team is ranked should have nothing to do with what they've done in the past.It should be about a teams play during the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Gert Report post Posted March 6, 2002 Amen Cabbageboy, the Gonzaga/Pepperdine game may have been the best game I've seen so far this week, and Pepperdone deserves the at-large bid. And sorry to rain on your WKU parade, but I was personally hoping (and predicting) a UL-Lafayette upset so both teams could get in the tourney and take a team like Boston College or Minnesota's place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Hijo Del Lunatic Report post Posted March 6, 2002 I'm pissed, because I had the most intelligent post I ever wrote (yeah, it was easy) going here, but my computer crashed. So let's just give a quick and dirty overview: * When I gave those positions in my seedings, I assumed that it would be obvious I was closing those seedings to Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, and Florida only. Sure, an upset may happen, but my point is that the SEC tournament will tell who deserves that #2 seed. * Oregon has at the very least split with every team mentioned in that previous post, and swept Arizona, USC, and UCLA. They're 22-7 and haven't lost at home at all this year. If Pittsburgh is a #2 seed, so is Oregon. * Gonzaga's #6 ranking is not based on the fact that they've had success in tournaments past. It's based on the fact that they're 29-3 and are 7-3 against the top 100 teams in the nation. Western Kentucky, for example, has really only beaten Creighton and Kentucky. Gonzaga has beaten Texas, Pepperdine twice, St. Joe's, Fresno St., St. John's, and New Mexico. Plus, Gonzaga hasn't lost to a team with an RPI lower than Pepperdine's, which is top 50. Thus, they have a much better resume than Western Kentucky. If Ball State were 27-3, there might be argument, but that's the only other mid-major team that has beaten that many good teams. WKU will be an 8-9 seed, but quite dangerous if they end up a 7 or 10 seed. And in the "I'm becoming an old man" file, Jeff Capel is now a head coach in Division I. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Eraser2K2 Report post Posted March 6, 2002 If Gonzaga hadn't gone to the Sweet 16 the past three years, they would not be ranked #6 right now. Every year, there are a couple mid-majors with excellent records, but are looked at as a one time only thing. Thats because they usually are, and then that team goes back down to close to .500. Gonzaga would be considered one of those teams this year, if they hadn't proven themselves the past three. Recent tournament history does matter. It may not always be the right thing, but its just how it works. And I take back what I said about Oregon. When I said that, I thought they were ranked around 20th in the nation, but now I realize they are 9th. So yeah, if they win the Pac-10 Tournament, give them a #2. I was wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cabbageboy Report post Posted March 7, 2002 I seriously hope WKU gets a 7 or 10, because they would avoid the 1 seed for a while that way. Case in point: 1993 Western got a 7 and beat the 2 seed Seton Hall, but in 1995 they were an 8 and had to play 1 seed Kansas, so they were screwed. In terms of the 1 seeds I might give WKU a shot at Oklahoma if they get one, but the others would kill them. By the way....U of L beat TCU today 110-86. Pitino baby! Hell, if they beat Marquette tomorrow they may make the tourney yet... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted March 7, 2002 U of L has been on a Tar lately and their Wins over Cincy and Charlotte should win over the voters because Beating those two teams the way they did is more impressive then what some of the bubble teams have done. Who could have thought 2 years ago, Cusa would have 4-5 bids? It used to be Cincy & the tourny winner...Now, we're becoming a dominant conference with Cincy, Marquette,Charlotte,Memphis,U of L. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Eraser2K2 Report post Posted March 7, 2002 Im not sure if Louisville, Charlotte or Memphis are for sure in. I think Charlotte needs some luck, or they need to be Cincinnati. If they just get to Cincinnati and lose, I dont see them going. They are only 17-10. Louisville also needs some luck, or just beat Marquette. And Memphis needs to make it to the C-USA final. The conference has 2 conference teams right now, and 3 bubbles. Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cabbageboy Report post Posted March 7, 2002 I am perplexed as to why Memphis is a bubble team. God, these guys won their division of C-USA and finished a game or two behind Cincy (and took them to OT). I think it would take a major choke job in their first game in the conference tourney for them not to make it. Hell, Wisconsin is a shitty team but they somehow tied for the Big Ten. U of L isn't quite in yet, but they are knocking on the door. If they can get by Marquette tomorrow, they are money. It's tough to beat a decent team 3 times. Besides, Joseph N'Sima in the NCAA tourney.....you know you want it. :-P On ESPN now they said U of L is 62 in the RPI, that is borderline. I think that the commitee will let them in for some reason, just because of Pitino and the possible interest it would create. Fucking St. Louis, if U of L could have just beaten those jobbers we wouldn't be discussing this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Gert Report post Posted March 7, 2002 I think Memphis only has to beat Houston tomorrow. I think Memphis is a bubble team because the committee wants teams that can win games, and Memphis cannot seem to do that against big teams. They won me over in that Cincinnati game, but I still think they're one and done in the tournament. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted March 7, 2002 Exactly, You have to be on some sort of roll, which is why Syracuse dispite 20 wins is likely not to make it to the NCCA's because they have lost so much in the last 10 games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cabbageboy Report post Posted March 9, 2002 What is up with this SEC tourney? I mean, LSU beat Georgia today (I never saw that coming), Miss. St. beat Florida (not a major upset but a slight upset), and just now Kentucky put up a 40 minute crapathon against S. Carolina. I think we can now officially say that Tubby Smith will be fired. Not only has UK been a big disappointment this year, but Tubby has completely lost control of the team. Hal Mumme was canned as football coach last year, just recently AD Larry Ivy was canned, and now I think Tubby is next in line. Sure, UK won the title in 1998 but Tubby had all of Pitino's guys then. Since that time UK has progressively gotten worse (1999: Final 8, 2000: second round, 2001: Sweet 16, this year...who knows). It's really strange when Western KY is the best team in the state, but that is the case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
