You have to hate basketball not to love this day. Wall-to-wall hoops with some of the best teams and matchups and rivalries in the country. I think my head might explode. Also, the CTC is getting really tight, and today might be the day
BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP (80 points):
And, the Big East comes down to West Virginia and Georgetown. Not exactly what we were thinking when this thing started, huh? Bry is the only one that get any points in this final, but he is so far behind that he won’t be winning this conference. Teddy has actually already clinched the 2010 Big East title, edging J by just five points.
#3 West Virginia vs. #8 Georgetown. G’town is trying to win their fourth game in four nights, and they will have to do it against Huggy Bear’s Mountaineers. Bry is the only one with a chance at points here, as he has WVU.
BIG XII CHAMPIONSHIP (80 points):
Kansas – Kansas St.: Round Three. This one is for the Big XII conference tournament. This one is gonna be good. Stri and J will take the Big XII title this year if Kansas wins. If K-State wins, KA will win her second conference title.
#1 Kansas vs. #2 Kansas St. How does it feel to be a K-State fan? Ever since Wilt Chamberlain dominated for Kansas in the 50’s, K-State has been the lowly Mets to KU’s Yankees. Then, they get the best recruit in the country (the #2 overall NBA draft pick) and beat Kansas once that year…but, K-State and Michael Beasley lose in the first round, while KU wins the national title. Fast forward a two years and now K-State is having the best year in the history of the program….but, KU is #1 in the country and has beaten the Wildcats twice already, including a crushing OT win in Manhattan. Now, when the Jayhawks roll the Wildcats in the Big XII title game, they will clinch the top overall seed, completely overshadowing a possible 2-seed for K-State. Ouch. For the CTC, the overall leader, Doogan, is the only one that can’t get points here. KA is the only one with K-State. Everyone else has Kansas.
PAC-10 CHAMPIONSHIP (80 points):
The Pac-10 should avoid being a 1-bid league regardless of what happens today, so they have that going for them. If Cal wins, Doogan will repeat, along with Bry and Ina for this year’s Pac-10 title. If yoo-dub wins, Stri and Teddy will share the title.
#1 California vs. #3 Washington. Both teams should be dancing, but there is still something to be said for a Pac-10 title. Bry, Ina, and Doogan all have Cal in this one. Stri, Lynch, both Lohses, and Teddy all have UW.
ATLANTIC 10 SEMIFINALS (40 points each):
All in all, the A-10 has had a decent tournament, as far as what they needed for at-large bids. Yes, Charlotte played themselves completely out of the at-large discussion, but it looks like Rhode Island may be in (and definitely will be with a win today). Dayton had Xavier on the ropes, but a stupid, stupid technical foul by the senior point guard (he was goaded to throw a punch with less than a minute left and the ball, down by two) cost them the game. But, it looks more and more like the A-10 should get at least five bids. The semifinal double-header today in AC should be fantastic. KA is still perfect in this conference, so we’ll see if she can continue this dominance.
#1 Temple vs. #5 Rhode Island. The #1 Temple Owls are two wins from a third consecutive tournament title. What a job by Fran Dunphy. And, another great coaching job by Jim Baron (probably the most underrated coach in the A-10). A win here and URI should clinch a bid, though if it were up to me, they’d be in regardless, but I may be a little biased towards the A-10. Stri and Lohse had St. Louis winning this game, so they have already lost the points here. KA will try and stay perfect with URI. Everyone else has Temple. Lynch, Doogan, J, and Bry all have TU winning this tournament.
#2 Xavier vs. #3 Richmond. In the nightcap, we’ve got another good one. The Muskateers of Xavier survived a wild game with Dayton last night, while Richmond held on against UMass’s furious comeback. Now, they play for the right to go to the finals tomorrow. Only Lynch cannot get points here, and since the rest of the field is pretty split between these two teams, this game has GIGANTIC CTC ramifications–maybe the biggest CTC ramifications of any one game all day. Five entries have Xavier here (Bry, Ina, Doogan, Lil Lohse, and KA). Six have Richmond (Teddy, Lohse, Waters, Alexi, Stri, and J). Three people (Ina, Lil Lohse, and KA) have Xavier winning it all. Five (Stri, Alexi, Waters, Lohse, and Teddy) have Richmond winning it all. Needless to say, with the CTC so close right now, this game might go a long way in determining the overall winner in 2010.
ACC SEMIFINALS (40 points each):
Raise your hand if you predicted this final four in the ACC. Now, put your hand down, you filthy liar. Not only are the bottom two teams in the ACC still alive in the semifinals, but the red-hot #2-seeded Terrapins are out, as well. It looks tailor-made for the Dukies to take yet another ACC tournament title home to Durham–at least that’s what all the bubble teams around the country are hoping for. Ga Tech might get an at-large (I think they should) if they win today and lose a tough one to Duke tomorrow. But, N.C. State and Miami clearly have all their eggs in the auto-bid basket.
#1 Duke vs. #12 Miami (FL). Duke did not exactly look incredible yesterday against UVa, while Miami has looked more like the top-seed than the bottom-seed through two games in this tournament, absolutely pasting #5 Wake and then handling #4 Va Tech. But, it just gets harder, as Duke is still very much in the running for a #1-seed in next week’s tournament. Alexi (Va Tech) and KA (Wake) have already lost this game, but everyone else has Duke here. J is the only one of those ten that does not have Duke winning the ACC, so he’d probably be okay with an upset here, even though he’d lose points to his ladyfriend (oh, and Alexi).
#7 Georgia Tech vs. #11 N.C. State. Why does Sidney Lowe only seem to coach in the ACC tournament? Honestly, every year, it seems like we hear “N.C. State pulls of another tournament upset, possibly saving Sidney Lowe’s job.” Ridiculous. And, on the other side, how can you possibly turn the ball over 18 times in the second half and still beat the #2-seed in the ACC tournament? Isn’t Paul Hewitt incredibly overrated as an X’s and O’s guy? They have Final Four talent over at Ga Tech, but they play like they’ve never even been at a practice together in their lives. It’s actually kind of embarrassing how talented they are and how atrocious they play. Either way, it looks like they might sneak into the Dance, and I sure as hell don’t want them as Temple’s draw, that’s for sure. Obviously, no one has either of these teams winning this game.
SEC SEMIFINALS (40 points each):
The SEC is down to its final four, and it should be a good one. The only thing that Alexi can do this year to top last year’s SEC title is to win this year with a perfect bracket. Well, through eight games, he’s got a shot at it. He’ll do it if Kentucky beats Vandy in the finals.
#1E Kentucky vs. #3E Tennessee. The ‘Cats looked, well, youthful in their SEC opener yesterday against ‘Bama. Tennessee looked, well, under-talented yet incredibly well-coached in their win yesterday over Ole Miss. And, honestly, I think both of those things are absolutely true. Doogan, Lynch, and Lohse all have Tennessee in this upset here. Lynch has them winning the title. KA has already lost this game (Ole Miss). The other eight have UK winning the SEC title.
#1W Mississippi St. vs. #2E Vanderbilt. Does Mississippi St. always have the exact same season? It seems like they always win the SEC West VERY unimpressively. Then they use their #1W seed to catapult them to an SEC tournament run that sneaks them in as like an 8- or 9-seed in the tournament. Then they win that first round game and give the #1 a scare, before faltering down the stretch. Well, they have a shot to get themselves another 8- or 9-seed, but they might have to win this tournament again. Vandy is in one of those precarious positions, where they could be anywhere from 4 to 8–a HUGE difference if you’re looking for a Sweet 16 run. Ina, Teddy, and Waters have already lost this one. KA is the only one with Miss St. Everyone else has Vandy. Doogan and Lohse have the Commodores winning the SEC.
BIG TEN SEMIFINALS (40 points each):
The Big Ten’s final four is interesting, as you have some interesting storylines all around.
#1 Ohio St. vs. #5 Illinois. The Buckeyes are still alive after one of the best shots I have ever seen in my life. Enough with the criticism of Beilein for not putting a guy on the inbounds. Take your hat off to Evan Turner for an incredibly shot. Illinois probably secured their at-large bid yesterday with an impressive win over Wisconsin. Stri, Lohse, KA, and Teddy have already lost this game with Wisconsin. Everyone else has OSU. Bry, Ina, Alexi, and Waters all have the Buckeyes winning this tournament.
#2 Purdue vs. #6 Minnesota. Tubby Smith has his guys playing well a the right time. But, they have a tough road still. Purdue looked just okay yesterday without Hummel. Stri, Ina, Alexi, KA, and Lil Lohse all have Purdue here. No one has Minnesota. Stri, Lil Lohse, and KA have Purdue winning this tournament.
MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP (32 points):
After the best double-header of the great Friday yesterday, we’ve got another great final coming up. Doogan will take the M-West title with a UNLV victory. If SDSU wins, KA will win it.
#3 UNLV vs. #4 San Diego St. What an amazing semifinal double-header yesterday. I found myself watching more M-West than any other tournament yesterday because it was so good. Tonight should be just as good, as both teams could use this win, though personally, I think they should both make the tournament. Doogan and Teddy both have UNLV here. Lynch and KA both have the Aztecs.
MAC CHAMPIONSHIP (24 points):
Okay, Teddy, what the hell is going on? No, seriously. This is getting ridiculous. Let’s recap. The opening round had one minor upset, as Lil Lohse, Ina, Lynch, and Teddy all got all four picks right. Not a huge deal there. Then, in the quarterfinals. The #1- and #2-seeds both got upset, plus the #4- beat the #5-seed, and most people had the #5. Teddy got all four. THEN…yesterday in the semis, that #9 that beat the #1 won again–and, yep, Teddy got it again. Oh, and we have had 4 OTs and two more games that were 1-point games in regulation. Yes, this is the tournament that Teddy is 10-for-10. He has Akron tonight, in case you’d like to wager.
#3 Akron vs. #9 Ohio. No matter who wins this game, it is going to be a ridiculous story for how they got to The Dance. Akron won in double-OT in the quarters, then came back from way behind to win in a buzzer-beater yesterday in the semis. #9 Ohio needed to go on the road and beat Ball St. in OT on Sunday. Then, they had to beat the #1-seed Kent St. in the quarters, and #4 Miami in the semis. Now, they are one win from the title and the auto-bid. Half of the field (J, Waters, Lynch, Lohse, KA, and Teddy) have Akron here. Clearly, no one has Ohio.
CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP (24 points):
The whole bubble world is rooting for Tony Barbee and the Miners today. Lohse has clinched the 2010 C-USA title for his second conference title of the year.
#1 UTEP vs. #7 Houston. Tom Penders is one win away from gonig back to the Dance. But, his Cougars will have to beat the best team in C-USA today. Bry, Ina, J, Doogan, Alexi, and both Lohses all have UTEP here. The others are just rooting for Houston to zero out these 24 points.
WAC CHAMPIONSHIP (32 points):
#1 Utah St. vs.
AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIP (16 points):
The Am East hasn’t played a game in almost a week, but they pick it up again today, as they will decide their auto-bid in Burlington, VT today at noon. A BU win will give Doogan only his second conference title of the year, despite being the overall leader. If UVM takes this title, Stri and Lynch will share the title.
#2 Vermont vs. #4 Boston U. The America East rewards regular season success by giving the higher seed of the two finalists a home game. This year it’s UVM that gets it on their home floor. I really like that because it gives the students a shot to go to the final without travelling too far. I got to see UMBC win the auto-bid on their home floor two years ago. Ina, Stri, Lynch, and the two Lohses all have UVM in this one. Bry and Doogan both have BU in a nice upset pick.
MEAC CHAMPIONSHIP (16 points):
The MEAC has made it through their crazy format to get a nice final game. KA is the MEAC leader, and she has S.C. State winning this tournament, so if they do, she will take the MEAC title. If Morgan wins, Bry and Ina will share this year’s crown.
#1 Morgan St. vs. #3 S.C. State. Morgan St. has dominated this conference in recent years, but they have looked vulnerable in this tournament so far, with two close wins to get here. S.C. State is poised and ready, after a good finish to the season and tough wins over MD-E. Shore and Delaware St, the latter in OT. KA has S.C. State. Stri, Waters, Lynch, and Teddy have all lost this game with either Norfolk St. or Delaware St. Everyone else has Morgan St. winning this tournament.
BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIP (16 points):
We finally got an upset in the Big West last night, and it was a pretty big one. Long Beach took out one of the regular season co-champs, Pacific in the second semifinal. They now get to take out the other today. Since no one has Long Beach winning this tournament, the current leader, Alexi, will take the title if they do. If UCSB does win, Stri will take this title.
#1 UC-Santa Barbara vs. #3 Long Beach St. The Gouchos will try and get to the Dance against Dan Monson’s LBSU squad. No one has LBSU here, but half the field (Lil Lohse, Lynch, Stri, Doogan, J, and Ina) has UCSB.
SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIP (16 points):
The Southland took six games to tell us what everyone knew. That the best offensive team (Sam Houston St.) and the best defensive team (Stephen F. Austin) were the best of the bunch. Now, once and for all, we will find out what’s better a good offense or a good defense. Yes, the 2010 Southland title game will answer that question certifiably. Waters, who is still perfect here, will win his first conference if Stephen F. Austin takes this title. If Sam Houston wins, there will be a four-way tie between Stri, Alexi, Lynch, and Teddy.
#1 Sam Houston St. vs. #2 Stephen F. Austin. A great match of offense versus defense…that no one will actually watch. Waters is the only one with Stone Cold Stephen F. Austin. KA and Lohse have already lost it. The other nine have SHSU.
SWAC CHAMPIONSHIP (16 points):
And, the SWAC will conclude its tournament today in Shreveport. Defending champion Ina will repeat in the SWAC if AR-Pine Bluff wins. Teddy will be the co-champ. If TX-Southern wins, Lohse will take the SWAC.
#2 AR-Pine Bluff vs. #5 TX-Southern. No one has TX-Southern in this one. Ina, J, KA, and Teddy all have AR-Pine Bluff.
GREAT WEST CHAMPIONSHIP (16 points):
And the first ever Great West championship game will be contested by the top two seeds. KA will win this title if Houston Baptist wins today. If not, Stri will complete a perfect Great West bracket and take the first ever title.
#1 South Dakota vs. #2 Houston Baptist. South Dakota dominated the regular season and now they’re a win away from the tournament title as well. Ten entries have S. Dakota winning this, as only KA (Houston Baptist) and Teddy (eliminated North Dakota) do not.
no love for the wac?