Preseason "Field of 68"

[SelectionSunday]

Gotta' admit, it feels strange to type the words "Field of 68" instead of "Field of 65." Anyhoo, I'm just glad we're only dealing with a 3-team increase to the NCAA Tournament as opposed to expansion to 96.

Enough chitter chatter. Here's what one crystal ball says we'll see on your TV screen March 13, Selection Sunday. In multiple-bid leagues, an * indicates my projected automatic qualifier.

FIELD OF 68
America East (1): Boston University

ACC (6): *Duke, Florida State, Maryland, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia Tech

Atlantic Sun (1): Lipscomb

Atlantic 10 (4): Dayton, Richmond, *Temple, Xavier

Big East (9): Georgetown, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pitt, St. John's, Seton Hall, Syracuse, *Villanova, West Virginia

Big Sky (1): Montana

Big South (1): Coastal Carolina

Big 10 (6): Illinois, *Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Purdue, Wisconsin

Big 12 (5): Baylor, *Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Texas

Big West (1): UCSB

Colonial (2): *James Madison, Old Dominion

Conference USA (2): *Memphis, Southern Miss

Horizon (1): Butler

Ivy (1): Harvard

Metro Atlantic (1): Iona

Mid-American (1): Akron

MEAC (1): Morgan State

Missouri Valley (1): Wichita State

Mountain West (3): *BYU, New Mexico, San Diego State

Northeast (1): Quinnipiac

Ohio Valley (1): Murray State

Pac 10 (3): Arizona, *Washington, Washington State

Patriot (1): Holy Cross

SEC (6): *Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

Southern (1): Wofford

Southland (1): Stephen F. Austin

SWAC (1): Jackson State

Summit (1): Oakland

Sun Belt (2): *North Texas, Western Kentucky

West Coast (1): Gonzaga

WAC (1): Utah State

Last 4 In: Maryland, Seton Hall, Southern Miss, Western Kentucky

First 4 Out: Arizona State, Northwestern, Texas A&M, UNLV

Non-BCS At-Larges (8): Dayton, New Mexico, Old Dominion, Richmond, San Diego State, Southern Miss, Western Kentucky, Xavier

12 Others to Watch: Colorado, Detroit, Loyola Marymount, Missouri State, New Mexico State, Northern Iowa, Ohio, Ole Miss, Penn State, St. Mary's, Texas Tech, UConn

Final Four: Duke, Kansas State, Michigan State, Pitt

National Champion: Pitt (Panthers may prove that you don't have to have 2-3 future NBA players on your roster to win it all)

 

[Down with Goldy]

I don't think Washington State or Vandy will get it (but I haven't done a breakdown like this to see who I'd have in over them), but great job. Very cool.

 

[MN1nAZ]

When I read the title of the thread I knew who the author was. Thanks Selection for being so passionate about the dance. I admire your dedication to keeping us informed and I thuroughly trust you as a source.

 

[The Bubble]

Great job on the prediction only difference i could see would be UNLV in over james madison. I can only see the caa getting one bid and UNLV did not lose anyone from there tournament team.

 

[Down with Goldy]

Great job on the prediction only difference i could see would be UNLV in over james madison. I can only see the caa getting one bid and UNLV did not lose anyone from there tournament team.

They had one starter who tore his ACL and is out for the year (Kendall Wallace), but should still be in the conversation.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

I see Harvard in there. There were some posts about them in another thread. Oh, and thanks for taking the time to do this.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Awesome dude, thanks.

I think Colorado gets in...Burks and Higgins are a dynamic combo.

What are we hearing on St. John's? Is Lavin going have any sort of team this year?

 

[OSUfan]

Dude, if you want to pick a darkhorse to win an NC, don't pick "never Final Four-bound" Pitt - you should go with OSU instead

 

[gold04]

I would have put Minnesota as the National champs. I think in the end we'll be just too big, too strong, and too tough for teams to handle us. We should not lose a game the whole season.

 

[gophernut]

I would have put Minnesota as the National champs. I think in the end we'll be just too big, too strong, and too tough for teams to handle us. We should not lose a game the whole season.

You forgot that we also are to well coached, barn court advantage to grand and fans to smart. All of this should make this team one of the greatest ever.

 

[MN1nAZ]

I would have put Minnesota as the National champs. I think in the end we'll be just too big, too strong, and too tough for teams to handle us. We should not lose a game the whole season.

Of course. If we could get Stuart Smallay on here I anticipate that he would add that "we're good looking and people like us".