1/22 Bracket

Here is today's bracket:

SEEDS

1.) Kentucky, Texas, Kansas, Villanova
2.) Syracuse, Duke, Michigan St., Kansas St.
3.) Purdue, Wisconsin, Gonzaga, West Virginia
4.) Georgetown, Butler, Pittsburgh, Tennessee
5.) Temple, Vanderbilt, Ohio St., Clemson
6.) BYU, Baylor, Xavier, Missouri
7.) Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Ole Miss, Florida St.
8.) Northern Iowa, Mississippi St., UCONN, North Carolina
9.) California, Oklahoma St., New Mexico, St. Mary's
10.) Arizona St., Old Dominion, Cincinnati, Texas A&M
11.) UAB, Rhode Island, Dayton, Virginia
12.) UNLV, Wichita St., William & Mary, Siena
13.) Louisiana Tech, Cornell, College of Charleston, Buffalo
14.) Weber St., Murray St., Vermont, Pacific
15.) Oakland, Sam Houston St., Arkansas St., Coastal Carolina
16.) Morgan St., Lafayette, East Tennessee St., Jackson St., Robert Morris

(Opening Round Game: Jackson St. vs. Robert Morris)

Last Four In: Dayton, UNLV, Wichita St., William & Mary
First Four Out: Maryland, Illinois, Louisville, Tulsa

Added to Bracket: UAB, Virginia, Arkansas St., Wichita St., Coastal Carolina, East Tennessee St., Robert Morris
Dropped out: Campbell, Radford, Illinois, Memphis, Quinnipiac, Washington, Western Kentucky

Bids by Conference
America East - Vermont
Atlantic 10 (4) - Temple, Xavier, Dayton, Rhode Island
ACC (6) - Duke, North Carolina, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Florida St.
Atlantic Sun - East Tennessee St.
Big 12 (7) - Texas, Kansas, Kansas St., Oklahoma St., Missouri, Baylor, Texas A&M
Big East (7) - Villanova, Syracuse, West Virginia, UCONN, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
Big Sky- Weber St.
Big South - Coastal Carolina
Big Ten (4) - Michigan St., Purdue, Wisconsin, Ohio St.
Big West - Pacific
Colonial (2) - Old Dominion, William & Mary
Conference- USA - UAB
Horizon - Butler
Ivy - Cornell
MAAC -Siena
MAC - Buffalo
MEAC - Morgan St.
MVC (2) - Northern Iowa, Wichita St.
Mountain West (3) - BYU, New Mexico, UNLV
Northeast - Robert Morris
OVC - Murray St.
Pac 10 (2) - California, Arizona St.
Patriot - Lafayette
SEC (5) - Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi St.
SoCon - College of Charleston
Southland - Sam Houston St.
SWAC - Jackson St.
Summit - Oakland
Sun Belt - Arkansas St.
WCC (2) - Gonzaga, St. Mary's
WAC - Louisiana Tech

Here are also ten games this weekend that feature teams fighting to get into the bracket and teams fighting for better seeding:

1.) Duke at Clemson
2.) Ohio St. at West Virginia
3.) Texas at UCONN
4.) Georgia Tech at Florida St.
5.) Oklahoma St. at Kansas St.
6.) Virginia at Wake Forest
7.) Michigan St. at Minnesota
8.) URIat Xavier
9.) BYU at San Diego St.
10.) Old Dominion at William & Mary

1/18 Bracket Update

Here is today's updated bracket:

SEEDS
1.) Kentucky, Texas, Kansas, Villanova
2.) Syracuse, Duke, Michigan St., West Virginia
3.) Purdue, Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Kansas St.
4.) Georgetown, Butler, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt
5.) Clemson, Temple, Tennessee, Ohio St.
6.) BYU, Baylor, Xavier, Missouri
7.) Georgia Tech, UCONN, Ole Miss, North Carolina
8.) Northern Iowa, Mississippi St., Wake Forest, Florida St.
9.) California, Oklahoma St., New Mexico, Memphis
10.) St. Mary's, Arizona St., Illinois, Washington
11.) William & Mary, Cincinnati, Rhode Island, Western Kentucky
12.) UNLV, Old Dominion, Texas A&M, Dayton
13.) Louisiana Tech, Cornell, Siena, Buffalo
14.) Weber St., Radford, Murray St., College of Charleston
15.) Oakland, Sam Houston St., Pacific, Vermont
16.) Morgan St., Lafayette, Campbell, Jackson St., Quinnipiac

(Opening Round Game: Jackson St. vs. Quinnipiac)

Last Four In: UNLV, Old Dominion, Texas A&M, Dayton
First Four Out: Louisville, Northwestern, Maryland, Richmond

Added to Bracket: Cincinnati, Rhode Island, Washington, Buffalo, Weber St., Sam Houston St., Jackson St., Quinnipiac
Dropped out: Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Wichita St., Kent St., Northern Colorado, UT-San Antonio, Prairie View A&M, Long Island

Bids by Conference
America East - Vermont
Atlantic 10 (4) - Temple, Xavier, Dayton, Rhode Island
ACC (6) - Duke, North Carolina, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Florida St.
Atlantic Sun - Campbell
Big 12 (7) - Texas, Kansas, Kansas St., Oklahoma St., Missouri, Baylor, Texas A&M
Big East (7) - Villanova, Syracuse, West Virginia, UCONN, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
Big Sky- Weber St.
Big South - Radford
Big Ten (5) - Michigan St., Purdue, Wisconsin, Ohio St., Illinois
Big West - Pacific
Colonial (2) - William & Mary, Old Dominion
Conference- USA - Memphis
Horizon - Butler
Ivy - Cornell
MAAC -Siena
MAC - Buffalo
MEAC - Morgan St.
MVC - Northern Iowa
Mountain West (3) - BYU, New Mexico, UNLV
Northeast - Quinnipiac
OVC - Murray St.
Pac 10 (3) - California, Arizona St., Washington
Patriot - Lafayette
SEC (5) - Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi St.
SoCon - College of Charleston
Southland - Sam Houston St.
SWAC - Jackson St.
Summit - Oakland
Sun Belt - Western Kentucky
WCC (2) - Gonzaga, St. Mary's
WAC - Louisiana Tech

Here are also ten games this week that feature teams fighting to get into the bracket and teams fighting for better seeding:

1.) Texas at Kansas St: Big game between two teams that look to be firmly in the tournament field. Texas has struggled a bit in its two games as the #1 team and a road game at Kansas St. is not easy. Texas will look to keep hold of a #1 seed while Kansas St. will look to possibly move up to a 2 seed.

2.) Purdue at Illinois: Two teams coming off of tough conference losses over the weekend. Purdue got off to a hot start but has dropped three in a row. They really need a win to shift momentum as conference play gets going. Illinois could really use a win to stay off the bubble.

3.) Northwestern at Ohio St: Both teams are coming off of big wins over the weekend. Northwestern scored a home win over Purdue while Ohio St. defeated Wisconsin in Columbus. Northwestern needs a win to get into the bracket while Ohio St. is looking to move up within the bracket.

4.) Oklahoma at Texas A&M: Two teams going in opposite directions. Oklahoma has won a few games since Big 12 play has began while Texas A&M has dropped a few. Oklahoma needs a win to possibly get into the bracket while Texas A&M needs a win to stay in.

5.) Northern Iowa at Wichita St: Big game in the Missouri Valley Conference. Wichita St. dropped out of the bracket this week but could get back in with a win over Northern Iowa, which could still get an at-large bid even if they do not win the conference.

6.) Baylor at Kansas: Another game between two teams that figure to be in the tournament. Kansas is looking to hold on to a 1 seed while a quality road win for Baylor could move them up a few seeds.

7.) Wake Forest at North Carolina: North Carolina is really struggling. Another loss over the weekend has put the Tar Heels in a tough spot and it doesn't get any easier with Wake Forest coming into Chapel Hill. North Carolina doesn't want to fallto 1-3 in the ACC while Wake needs a win after falling at Duke last night.

8.) Michigan at Wisconsin: Michigan scored a big win over the weekend as they defeated UCONN yesterday in Ann Arbor. It was a win they needed over a quality opponent and moved them close to the bubble discussion. A win here would be huge for the Wolverines.

9.) Georgetown at Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh was lucky to escape with a win over Louisville this weekend while Georgetown fell at Villanova. Both teams are just looking for a quality win over a top 20 RPI team to improve their resume.

10.) Xavier at Temple: A big game in the Atlantic 10 as the conference looks to get multiple bids. Both teams figure to be in the tournament and like the Georgetown/Pittsburgh game, this is a chance for a team to get a top 20 RPI win to improve their resume.

First Bracket Update

Here is the first of many bracket updates. I will update the bracket every Monday and Friday from now until Selection Sunday.


SEEDS

1.) Kentucky, Texas, Kansas, Villanova
2.) Duke, Syracuse, Purdue, Michigan St.
3.) West Virginia, Purdue, Wisconsin, Gonzaga
4.) Butler, Kansas St., Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt
5.) UCONN, Clemson, Temple, Tennessee
6.) BYU, Ohio St., North Carolina, Missouri
7.) Georgia Tech, Xavier, Ole Miss, Baylor
8.) Northern Iowa, Wake Forest, California, Oklahoma St.
9.) Florida St., Mississippi St., New Mexico, Memphis
10.) Texas A&M, UNLV, Illinois, St. Mary's
11.) William & Mary, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Dayton
12.) Arizona St., Wichita St., Old Dominion, Western Kentucky
13.) Louisiana Tech, Cornell, Siena, Kent St.
14.) Northern Colorado, Radford, Murray St., College of Charleston
15.) Oakland, UT-San Antonio, Pacific, Vermont
16.) Morgan St., Lafayette, Campbell, Prairie View A&M, Long Island

(Opening Round Game: Prairie View A&M vs. Long Island)

Last Four In: Dayton, Arizona St., Wichita St., Old Dominion
First Four Out: Rhode Island, Louisville, Florida, Minnesota


Bids by Conference

America East - Vermont
Atlantic 10 (3) - Temple, Xavier, Dayton
ACC (7) - Duke, North Carolina, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Florida St., Virginia Tech
Atlantic Sun - Campbell
Big 12 (7) - Texas, Kansas, Kansas St., Oklahoma St., Missouri, Baylor, Texas A&M
Big East (7) - Villanova, Syracuse, West Virginia, UCONN, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame
Big Sky- Northern Colorado
Big South - Radford
Big Ten (5) - Michigan St., Purdue, Wisconsin, Ohio St., Illinois
Big West - Pacific
Colonial (2) - William & Mary, Old Dominion
Conference- USA - Memphis
Horizon - Butler
Ivy - Cornell
MAAC -Siena
MAC - Kent St.
MEAC - Morgan St.
MVC (2) - Northern Iowa, Wichita St.
Mountain West (3) - BYU, New Mexico, UNLV
Northeast - Long Island
OVC - Murray St.
Pac 10 (2) - California, Arizona St.
Patriot - Lafayette
SEC (5) - Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Mississippi St.
SoCon - College of Charleston
Southland - UT- San Antonio
SWAC - Prairie View A&M
Summit - Oakland
Sun Belt - Western Kentucky
WCC (2) - Gonzaga, St. Mary's
WAC - Louisiana Tech

Here are also ten games this weekend that feature teams fighting to get into the bracket and teams fighting for better seeding:

1.) Louisville at Pittsburgh: The Cardinals are 3-1 in the Big East, but could really use a quality road win to improve their tournament resume as their best win has been a home win over Western Kentucky. Pittsburgh will try to continue thier hot start to conference play and gain another top-50 RPI win.

2.) Virginia Tech at Florida St: Virginia Tech's best win happened this past week as the knocked off Miami. Like Louisville, they could use a good road win. Florida State started strong but has struggled the last few games and doesn't want to fall to 1-3 in the ACC.

3.) Georgia Tech at North Carolina: Two teams coming off of road losses in the ACC this week. Like Florida State, Georgia Tech doesn't want to fall to 1-3 in the ACC. Carolina needs a quality win as it has been a while since they defeated Ohio State and Michigan State earlier in the year.

4.) Wisconsin at Ohio St: These teams have already played once this year (a Wisconsin win), but Ohio State was without Evan Turner. As he showed against Purdue this week, he's back (no pun intended) and Ohio State is a better team. Wisconsin is trying to improve its seeding with a win here while Ohio State would strengthen its case for an at-large bid.

5.) Dayton at Xavier: Big game for the Flyers early on in Atlantic-10 conference season play. Dayton's best win to date is against Georgia Tech in San Juan so if they want to make a case for an at-large bid, a road win here would go a long way. Xavier could also use a win against an top-50 RPI team as it currently has none.

6.) California at Washington: If the Pac-10 season ended today, the conference would most likely only get two bids. California leads the way in the Pac-10 and with an RPI of 23 and the second toughest schedule in the country, looks like they could be in. Washington has struggled since being ranked in the top 10 early in the year. A win would get them in the bubble discussion.

7.) Wake Forest at Duke: Wake Forest already has wins over Gonzaga and Xavier on their resume and a win at Duke would solidify them as a strong at-large team. Duke rebounded from a loss at Georgia Tech last weekend by blowing out Boston College on Wednesday. A win over Wake Forest would keep them in the 1-2 seeding range.

8.) UCONN at Michigan: UCONN gets out of Big East play which is good considering their 2-3 conference record. They really need a win and to get one on the road at Michigan would help them out. Michigan has fallen since an early top-20 ranking and a win over UCONN, a top-20 RPI team, would push them back into the bubble mix.

9.) Georgetown at Villanova: This game features two teams who figure to be in the tournament at this moment. This game could solidify one team as the Big East favorite and would be big for either team as they try to gain a good seed in the bracket.

10.) Syracuse at West Virginia: Another game between two Big East heavyweights will give one team a leg up in the conference standings and in overall seeding. Syracuse has been solid all year long with its one loss coming against Pittsburgh. West Virginia, while highly ranked and with an RPI of 2, doesn;t have a signature win yet this seasonas its best win was against Ole Miss. This would be a good one to get.