Bracketology: Michigan State Steps Up To The Front Line
By Jamal Murphy
Last week, we witnessed an exciting week of college basketball. With that excitement came much movement within the bracket. Teams that seemed somewhat secure in their tournament standing, such as Illinois and Mississippi State, are now hanging on to their spots by a string. Oh, and there is also a new team on the 1 line.
Let’s take a look at this week’s prediction of the 2012 NCAA Tournament field and seeding, as if the season were to end today (WARNING: The predicted field/seeding is highly likely to change from week to week).
*Automatic bids in italics.
1 SEEDS: Kentucky; Syracuse; Michigan State; Missouri.
2 SEEDS: Ohio State; Duke; Kansas; North Carolina.
3 SEEDS: Georgetown; Michigan; Marquette; Baylor.
4 SEEDS: Wisconsin; Indiana; Louisville; Temple.
5 SEEDS: Wichita State; UNLV; Florida State; Notre Dame.
6 SEEDS: Florida; New Mexico; Creighton; San Diego State.
7 SEEDS: Vanderbilt; Gonzaga; Murray State; Kansas State.
8 SEEDS: Saint Louis; Memphis; Saint Mary’s; Connecticut.
9 SEEDS: Southern Miss; Purdue; West Virginia; Virginia.
10 SEEDS: Alabama; Harvard; Iowa State; Northwestern.
11 SEEDS: California; Seton Hall; Miami, Fl; Texas.
12 SEEDS: BYU; Long Beach State; Xavier; Illinois vs. Cincinnati.
13 SEEDS: Mississippi State vs. Dayton; Middle Tenn State; Oral Roberts; Iona.
14 SEEDS: Belmont; Akron; George Mason; Valparaiso.
15 SEEDS: Davidson; Nevada; Weber State; Bucknell.
16 SEEDS: Long Island; UT Arlington; NC Asheville vs. Savannah State; Miss Valley State vs. Vermont.
LAST FOUR IN: Illinois; Mississippi State; Dayton; Cincinnati.
LAST FOUR OUT: Minnesota; St. Joseph’s; NC State; Central Florida.
NEXT FOUR OUT: Colorado State; Marshall; Washington; Oregon.
CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN:
ACC – 5
ATLANTIC 10 – 4
BIG EAST – 9
BIG TEN – 8
BIG 12 – 6
C-USA – 2
MOUNTAIN WEST – 3
MVC – 2
PAC-12 – 1
SEC – 5
WCC – 3
What are your thoughts on the field? Any teams that are too high or too low?