We are less than one week away from the NCAA Tournament Selection Show. Between now and then, many fans will play the role of bracketologist. Tim Krueger, co-host of the Bluejay Banter radio show, is one such fan. Krueger has conducted his own bracket projections for years, even before ESPN’s Joe Lunardi gave such a practice the term Bracketology.
Krueger will provide White & Blue Review his updated bracket predictions. Bluejay Banter can be heard every Monday from 6-7PM on 590 AM, Omaha’s ESPN Radio, with podcasts of the show available via www.am590espnradio.com.
With Selection Sunday less than a week away and major conference tournaments in full swing, there could be a lot of changes up until the selection show on CBS. This bracket will be updated on Thursday and then shortly before the 5PM selection show on Sunday.
Here is the Bracket for March 7, 2011:
EAST REGION SOUTHEAST REGION
1-OHIO ST** 1-DUKE
16-FAU/B.COOK** 16-MCNEESE/TX-SO**
Cleveland Mar 18th Washington Mar 17th
8-UNLV 8-OLD DOMINION**
9-RICHMOND 9-BUTLER
4-KENTUCKY 4-LOUISVILLE
13-BELMONT** 13-OAKLAND**
Tampa Mar 17th Tulsa Mar 18th
5-UCONN 5-KANSAS STATE
12-UAB** 12-MICHIGAN
12-TENNESSEE
Play in game Mar 16th
6-TEXAS A+M 6-XAVIER**
11-ALABAMA 11-MICHIGAN ST
Washington Mar 17th Tampa Mar 17th
3-SYRACUSE 3-FLORIDA**
14-MOREHEAD ST** 14-LONG ISLAND U**
7-GEORGE MASON 7-CINCINNATI
10-GEORGIA 10-WASHINGTON
Charlotte Mar 18th Chicago Mar 18th
2-N.CAROLINA** 2-PURDUE
15-BOSTON U** 15-INDIANA ST.**
WEST REGION SOUTHWEST REGION
1-PITT** 1-KANSAS**
16-IONA** 16-UNC ASHVILLE.**
Cleveland Mar 18th Tulsa Mar 18th
8-MISSOURI 8-UTAH ST**
9-FLOR ST. 9-GONZAGA
4-WISCONSIN 4-ST JOHNS
13-BUCKNELL** 13-HARVARD**
Denver Mar 17th Charlotte Mar 18th
5-ARIZONA** 5-VANDERBILT
12-MARQUETTE 12-UW-MILWAUKEE**
12-CLEMSON
Play in game Mar 15th
6-GEORGETOWN 6-WEST VIRGINIA
11-BOSTON COL. 11-ILLINOIS
Tucson Mar 17th Tucson Mar 17th
3-TEXAS 3-SAN DIEGO ST.
14-COL OF CHARL** 14-LONG BEACH ST.**
7-TEMPLE 7-UCLA
10-ST MARYS** 10-VIR.TECH
Denver Mar 17th Chicago Mar 18th
2-BYU** 2-NOTRE DAME
15-N. COLORADO** 15-KENT STATE**
There have been lots of upsets in the conference tournaments so far but no bids have been stolen. One could be tonight if VCU beats ODU.
I currently have 3 teams with 13 losses — Marquette, Michigan State, and Tennessee. The committee in the past has kind of made 14 losses the unofficial cut off line, especially if teams didn’t have 20 or more wins. If any of these three teams lose in the first game of their conference tournament they will be out. Michigan State may need to win two games to earn a Big Dance invite.
I disagree with Joe Lunardi that the potential game between Georgia and Alabama will be a play-in game. If Georgia loses their resume is far superior than several other teams on the bubble. Alabama can’t afford a loss — they could be out if they don’t defeat the Bulldogs.
Last four in: Tennessee, Marquette, Clemson, Michigan
First four out: Colorado, Washington State, Colorado State, VCU
Next four out: UTEP, Missouri State, Penn State, Southern Miss
