Dr. Brackets First Edition

Today is the first big college basketball Saturday of the year.  With no college football it is the first chance for fans to really check out some teams and see what all the fuss is about.  We can all go check the rankings and see where the national media thinks everyone stands but we all know that is just a waste of time.  Most rankings are just based on school history, a couple big wins, offseason recruiting, and other things that really have nothing to do with how the team is actually playing.  In this blog we are going to try something different.  My buddy Mike Witte (AKA Dr. Brackets) has come out with his first edition of what the seedings could look like come March Madness time.  I'll write out what he has and I'll just make some notes on whether I agree or whether he should ever get mentioned on this blog again.  I figure I'll just call my self Brackets M.D. for this one.

Here is Dr. Brackets seeds....

1. Duke, Syracuse, Indiana, Michigan

Well those are pretty good picks except for one.  Syracuse isn't going to be that great this year, they lost some good players and like usual, they don't play anyone in nonconference so they are hard to get a read on.  Duke is really good, Michigan have some sick athletes, and Indiana has experience and smart players.

2.  Kansas, Louisville, Arizona, Florida

From what I've seen early in the year, Florida would be my other one seed.  They are tough, have shooters and big men.  Arizona is suppose to be better, but they haven't really done much lately, they'll have to prove it to me, I'd have them a lot further down.  Louisville will be there in the end and so will Kansas.

3.  Cincinnati, Illinois, Ohio State, New Mexico

Cincy looks to be a good team this year, they have some good wins already, I could see this happening.  Ohio State to me will be a two seed, they are tough all around and Craft can rape a guy and not get a foul called on him.  I'm willing to bet some good money that Illinois doesn't even get a single digit seed.  They haven't played anyone this year and they just flat out aren't good.  They play at Gonzaga tonight, it's going to be a massacre.  The Lobo's are a sexy pick, I like it.

4. Gonzaga, Georgetown, Minnesota, Michigan State

Gonzaga will probably end up seeded higher.  They'll have a great regular season record which will warrant a high seed.  Georgetown is tough, and with a down Big East this year, they could get enough wins to get there.  Michigan State, meh, it doesn't matter, they'll be in the Final Four when it is all said and done.  Minnesota is an interesting gamble pick, they have beat San Diego State, Memphis, and FSU so maybe you are on to something here.

5.  Notre Dame, Missouri, Alabama, Oklahoma State

I feel ok about all of these picks.  Top 20 teams, ya, but I think Oklahoma State has a pretty high ceiling.  Big 12 isn't all that great this year so they could get some wins to vault themselves up higher.  I'm seeing a freefall from Mizzou compared to last year.

6.  Temple, San Diego State, Colorado, Wichita State

I'm really high on Colorado and Wichita State this year.  Both teams could get a top 4 seed.  Temple will be interesting, they don't have a great team, but they have a deep roster with lots of experience so they will win the games they should win.  San Diego State has been underachieving this year, they might not live up to the hype.

7.  North Carolina State, Miami, Oregon, Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech will falter like every year, and they have beat no one this year.  Oregon has a really good homecourt advantage.  NC State will probably end up around here, they have more talent, but don't play as a team.  Miami, ugggh, they suck.

8.  Pittsburgh, UNLV, Creighton, St. Joseph's

Creighton will end up with a top five seed.  McDermott is a stud, the next Larry Bird.  St. Joe's will barely get in the tourney, they are wayyyy overrated.  UNLV and Pitt are middle of the road teams so that makes sense.

9.  Kentucky, Baylor, Memphis, Maryland

Whoa, Kentucky as a nine seed???  They will be at least a four, SEC is weak, they'll get hot.  Memphis also, CUSA is weak, they'll get hot.  Baylor?????  They are in the top tier in the nation, they'll be a top 4 seed also.  Did you just try to hide these teams down here to see if anyone read this far???

10.  Kansas State, Oregon State, Stanford, North Carolina

UNC at 10?  What?  Ya, they won't be as good as usual, but they'll be a top 4 seed when it is all said and done.  The others could go up or miss the dance altogether, enigmas.

11.  Xavier, Southern Miss, Iowa State, Wyoming

Iowa State misses the dance altogether, Wyoming is an up and comer.  Xavier, who the hell knows, I actually think they take a big step back this year.  Might even miss the dance.  How do you lose to Vandy?

12.  Ohio, Virginia, VCU, George Mason, Northwestern, Butler

VCU will be a top seed, they have some freak athletes.  OU, my alma mater, should make the tourney but they are so damn inconsistent.  They have their whole team back, but if you lose a few games, you have to win the tourney, and they could lose to a hot team.  I just don't know about them.  Butler is going to struggle in the A10 this year, but they could make it.  Northwestern for the first time?  I can dig that.

13.  Murray State, Davidson, Bucknell, Utah State

WHAT????  Just kidding, who knows about these teams.  Murray State should be the class of their conference with Canaan coming back and Davidson is always solid.  Probably will win their conferences.

14.  Hawaii, Illinois-Chicago, Iona, Western Kentucky

Hilltoppers are the shit.  What was that dudes name from Iona a couple of years ago that was a stud?  Hawaii, either way, they'll have to travel.

15.  Stephen F Austin, Weber State, Harvard, South Dakota State

Harvard is the class of the Ivy.  Weber State is in Utah, met some chics in Vegas that went there, fun times.  Who is Stephen F Austin?  Have you ever in your life met someone from South Dakota?

16.  Florida Gulf Coast, Gardner Webb, Norfolk State, Robert Morris, Stony Brook, Texas Southern

Robert Morris owns the Bobcats of Ohio, I do know that.  Don't know much more about these teams, just that for some reason they are division 1 schools.

Glaring ommissions.....

Wisconsin, Marquette, Colorado State, UCLA, and St. Mary's.

We'll be back at the beginning of conference play with the second edition.  What are your thoughts?  Thanks for reading, enjoy the season.

Curt