What Do We Think of the Field Overall?

[TheHofferette]

who's the most overrated team this year?
Villanova, how did they get a 2?? the same as WV?? the Wildcats got bounced in the Quarterfinals of the BEast tourney and based on "the eye test" have been sliding backwards since mid-Feb.

who's got the toughest road? easiest road?
toughest road: I think Kentucky, not so much because of UW or New Mex (who could be challenging) but they have West Virginia, who should be a #1 also and is angry about it; easiest: Duke by a landslide; Villanova, Baylor, and Purdue?? weak top seeds.

who got screwed in the seeding? I don't usually feel very sorry for 1s and 2s, but West Virginia should be a 1 instead of Syracuse. also, on a similar vein, I think G'town has the right to wonder why they are a 3 instead of Nova? they didn't get much credit for playing in the BEast championship.

most likely upset? sadly, Siena over Purdue I think is a pretty easy call. the Boilers looked DOA in the BTT and I don't think they will right the ship by Friday. I hope I am wrong!

non-BCS team most capable of getting to the Sweet 16/Elite 8? I think Temple can beat Cornell and UW, but their road would likely end there with Kentucky. my actual answer to this question is Richmond. I think the Spiders will beat a tough St Mary's team and a weak Nova team to face either Baylor or ND. if its the Irish, I say Richmond makes the Elite 8.

best possible match-up? Kansas St v Pitt in the Sweet 16 could be awesome. first they are both really good this season but have been overshadowed by conference-mates Kansas and Syracuse. Pitt is very capable of stopping the impressive backcourt of Clemente and Pullen and pulling out a big win, but I think Kansas St is tired of always being screwed by the refs and I think they might take big-game frustration out on the Panthers.

do you think anyone can win the NCAA Tourney whose school name isn't a state that starts with a "K"? in short, no.

can Minnesota beat Xavier? any given Friday, baby.

 

[SelectionSunday]

who's the most overrated team this year?

Michigan State getting a #5 seed. Their resume really isn't worthy of a #5 seed, this isn't a vintage Izzo team & most importantly the Spartans have issues. If Sparty gets to the Sweet 16 their season should be considered a success.

who's got the toughest road? easiest road?

Toughest road goes to Kentucky. I honestly think if Texas wakes up, they'll knock off UK Nation in the Round of 32. The Wildcats are the #1 seed I'm most confident will not reach Indianapolis. The Badgers, Marquette and West Virginia are capable of bringing them down, too.

Easiest road goes to Duke, though a 2nd round matchup with Louisville could get mighty, mighty interesting. To me, those are the best possible 1-8-9 matchups. ... when you have a traditional power (Duke) going up against another traditional power (Louisville) who's had a slightly "down" season. There will be no fear factor if Louisville straps it on vs. the Dukies.

who got screwed in the seeding?

Tennessee. The Vols are a little flighty, but how does a 25-8 team with wins over two #1 seeds (Kansas and Kentucky) only get a #6 seed?

most likely upset?

I'm assuming by upset you mean any game involving 5-12 or lower? I'll take a flyer on UTEP over Butler. UTEP's big guy (Caracter) will abuse Howard in the paint.

non-BCS team most capable of getting to the Sweet 16/Elite 8?
I'll stick with the UTEP theme. Favorable matchup with Butler is followed by a matchup with Vandy-Murray State winner (which Murray State could win).

best possible match-up?
Badgers vs. Kentucky in Sweet 16. I think the Badgers are the perfect foil for the young and uber-talented Wildcats. I can see Bucky frustrating the he*l out of UK. Not sure the Badgers would win, but wouldn't be shocked if they did.

do you think anyone can win the NCAA Tourney whose school name isn't a state that starts with a "K"?

Yes. My pick starts with an S(yracuse). I'm banking on the big guy being able to give them something during the second weekend and forward.

can Minnesota beat Xavier?

Ab sa' frickin' lutely.

 

[Dr.Don]

"""""can Minnesota beat Xavier?

Ab sa' frickin' lutely."""""


Ya sure, you betcha.

 

[MinnesotaBoiler99]

Georgetown as a #3 seed is a joke. Are you saying the difference between 10-8 in the Big East and 10-8 in the Big Ten is a #3 seed and the NIT? I know G'town had a few more wins overall and played in a tougher conference but my God the east coast bias is absurd here.

Also, those jumping on the media bandwagon/witch hunt thinking that Siena will beat Purdue, take a look at Siena's schedule. They don't have a single quality win. Purdue will refocus and their defense will be a nightmare. Plus, the last time Purdue lost a 1st round NCAA game was when Matt Painter was the starting PG.

 

[ZPI]

Georgetown as a #3 seed is a joke. Are you saying thed difference beteen 10-8 in the Big East and 10-8 in the Big Ten is a #3 seed and the NIT? I know G'town had a few more wins overall and played in a tougher conference but my God the ewast coast bias is absurd here.

Also, those jumping on the media bandwagon/witch hunt thinking that Siena will beat Purdue, take a look at Siena's schedule. They don't have a single quality win. Purdue will refocus and their defense will be a nightmare.

I agree, a trendy pick will be Sienna, but I just don't see it.

I like Murray St. over Vandy more personally...any 30 win team deserves a lot of thought at least.

 

[SelectionSunday]

I agree with MinnesotaBoiler. Am guessing the Boilers were aptly embarrassed. They should have a serious chip on their shoulder. I wouldn't bet against Purdue vs. Siena. After that, I think they're in trouble. Texas A&M can match the Boilers' toughness & tenacity, which is their trademark.

It's too bad what happened to Hummel; this was a Final 4 caliber team before he went down. Now it would have to be considered a success if they get to the Sweet 16 like they did last year.

 

[TheHofferette]

I totally agree that w/ Hummel, Purdue was a Final 4 caliber team. absolutely. I didn't even know the media was saying Siena is an easy pick, Purdue just looked awfully vulnerable on Saturday. I hope they do have a chip on their shoulder...

that being said, I didn't post this to get my answers dissected (all this analysis is for fun anyways, none of us know what will happen until the boys hit the floor)...I was hoping others would try and answer and have a little fun! thank you Selection for playing!

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

If Sparty isn't a #5, how on earth can Becky be a #4? Pretty much an identical record, both fell short to a lesser-ranked team in the conference tourney. Does Sconnie get so much credit just for beating Duke long before Duke peaked?

 

[TheHofferette]

I think UW actually is perfectly seeded this year at a 4; their overall body of work is pretty impressive...personally I think MSU should be a 6 seed instead of a 5. how they finished w/ part of the B10 title is beyond me. I find them so underwhelming. MSU reminds me of the UConn team that got beaten by George Mason....5 guys out on the floor w/ a lot of talent, but no team factor.