|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Bracket Breakdown
|
|
|
Coach John Calipari's Wildcats play at a high level at both ends of the floor.
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
Before Selection Sunday began, there was some certainty regarding the teams that would likely earn top seeds in the NCAA Tournament field. Taking stock of the 2011-12 season as a whole, was it really a surprise what the last couple of conference tournaments did to the tournament landscape?
Kentucky lost to a veteran Vanderbilt team in the SEC Tournament title game, but still picked up the No. 1 in the South Region and overall in the NCAA Tournament and for good reason. The Wildcats are the favorite going in, with star Anthony Davis down low and plenty of talent around the 6-foot-10 freshman phenom. Coach John Calipari's Wildcats play at a high level at both ends of the floor and this might be a year that going with the chalk is wise.
Syracuse was seeded No. 1 in the East Region. The Orange have lost just twice this season, a real testament to the talent on the roster, especially with all the side stories that plagued the program. The team bowed out in the Big East semifinals to Cincinnati, but coach Jim Boeheim knows how to get the job done in March and a workmanlike roster has the ability to navigate the tournament field.
North Carolina was yet another team that faltered in its conference tournament, falling to a hard-as-nails Florida State squad in the ACC Tournament title game. The Tar Heels were less than 100 percent in the tournament with a wrist injury to John Henson, but coach Roy Williams was able to get valuable minutes to some youngsters, which should help in the next couple of weeks. With Tyler Zeller, Harrison Barnes and Kendall Marshall at full strength, and the hopeful return of Henson, expect the No. 1 seed in the Midwest to be around for the long haul.
Michigan State was seeded No. 1 in the West and was the only top seed that took care of its conference business, knocking off Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. Obviously, the Spartans are coached well by Tom Izzo and have a dynamic player in Big Ten Player of the Year Draymond Green. A tough defensive squad, with plenty of offensive punch, does anyone even remember how the season started for the Spartans (back-to-back losses to North Carolina and Duke)?
SOUTH REGION
Not sure getting the top overall seed was a benefit here for Kentucky, as the South Region is top-heavy with Duke (2), Baylor (3) and Indiana (4). A rematch between the Hoosiers and Wildcats could come in the Sweet 16 and would certainly be fun to watch, although Indiana will get tested by a surprising New Mexico State squad. An intriguing 5/12 showdown between Wichita State and VCU is certainly worth keeping an eye on. Other second-round matchups of note include (8) Iowa State against (9) Connecticut, (6) UNLV against (11) Colorado and (7) Notre Dame against (10) Xavier. If UConn's defending champions get by the Cyclones, a showdown with Kentucky could be a barnburner and highlight third-round action.
WEST REGION
Michigan State headlines the field in the West and will get things started against (16) Long Island. The Missouri Tigers certainly have an argument for a top seed, posting a 30-win campaign and winning the Big 12 Tournament. They will have to settle for playing with a chip on their shoulder as the No. 2 seed. A matchup between (7) Florida and (10) Virginia provides an early contrast in styles with the Gators' frenetic pace against the Cavs' methodical and stifling defensive approach. Murray State is hoping to be the mid-major darling this year, following the path laid out by teams like Butler and VCU recently. The Racers picked up a six seed and will open their tournament run against Colorado State. When looking over the field, Missouri is positioned just right. There aren't many dominant frontcourts in the region, which should play right into the Tigers' perimeter assault.
EAST REGION
Syracuse gets the nod in the East, but the Orange's 2-3 zone will be taken to task in this region. This is a field full of stumbling blocks. Fifth-seeded Vanderbilt is coming off a huge win over Kentucky and could knock off the Orange. However, the Commodores would have to get by Harvard in their first game and probably Wisconsin after that just to meet Syracuse in the Sweet 16. The lower half of the region is headlined by (2) Ohio State and (3) Florida State. The Buckeyes have Jared Sullinger and a nice supporting cast, but a showdown with the Seminoles in the Sweet 16 will not be easy. FSU has a pair of wins over Duke and North Carolina this season and is coming off its first-ever ACC Tournament title.
MIDWEST REGION
North Carolina has arguably the most talented roster and expect to get Henson back for the tournament. That doesn't bode well for the rest of the Midwest Region. Kansas is at the bottom of the bracket as the No. 2 seed and it would certainly be fun to see coach Roy Williams take on his old team in the Elite Eight. North Carolina has a pretty clear route to that matchup, but Kansas will have to fight to get there. Third-seeded Georgetown is a tough team that plays extremely physical. North Carolina State is a wild card in this region. The Wolfpack are an 11 seed, but they were a controversial call away from playing for the ACC crown, and have great balance inside and out. They can play with anyone in the region - just ask North Carolina.
While the selection committee usually takes a beating immediately following the bracket announcement, this year they may have taken steps in the right direction. Picks like BYU, Iona and South Florida were questionable for sure, especially with teams like Drexel and Washington being omitted, despite winning regular-season crowns. Still, the committee hit its mark for the most part.
How the tournament plays out remains to be seen. Let the games begin.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
