For example, is Carolina's narrow road loss in a fantastically well-played game at Wake an indictment of Carolina's fallibility or simply an illustration that the ACC has three true title contenders?
Is the Big East's carnage proof that the top team are all really really good, or an indication that we may have overstated the Top Nine's "greatness?"
And what to make of the Big Ten? Is it possible that there really are nine good teams in this league, and that 8-8 does not preclude someone from tourney discussion? Penn State and Northwestern have each notched impressive victories in league play, but don't forget their body of work before conference play suggests they are just that; "good wins" and not just "bad losses for those slain.
What do we do with the best of the rest? Xavier, Butler, Memphis and Gonzaga are going to pile up some big win totals before Selection Sunday. How many of those February victories are enough to sway minds of the committee? Only Xavier and Butler has an RPI that correlates with their lofty poll status (#5 and #8 respectively), but we shall see what a full A-10 & Horizon schedule does to drag those numbers down.
There are a huge slate of show-me games over the next few weeks to make some more sense of it all, until then, enjoy this week's edition of Brackeetering.
Feel free to agree, disagree or swear at us anytime. We are only an email or comment away...
Share on Facebook 
FINAL FOUR:
1. Wake Forest - The Deacons survived and thrived in another big test Saturday at Clemson. In the past three weeks they have won at BYU and Clemson and beaten North Carolina. Jeff Teague is making a serious case for first team All-American.
2. Duke - The Dukies beat a better-than-you think FSU team, then followed it up with a solid victory over Georgetown. Another strong case for the ACC as the nation's best league in 2009. We have already set the TiVo for the Jan 28th trip to Wake Forest.
3. Pitt - Yes, the Panthers lost over the weekend at a suddenly resilient Louisville club, but by no means was that a panic button loss. The inability to get quality shots off in the last three minutes was disappointing, but the Panthers rebounded nicely with a pasting of Syracuse.
4. North Carolina - The Tarheels appear to be back on track with their second half demolition of Miami. They host Clemson Wednesday. The Tigers have lost 53 straight at Carolina. Not a typo. 53 straight.
ELITE EIGHT:
5. UConn - The Huskies caught a brief lull in the schedule, but ramp it back up this week playing Villanova and Notre Dame. For some reason, it still feels like something is missing from this UConn squad, but they certainly have Final Four/National Champion talent.
6. Michigan State - The beat keeps on as the Spartans beat two more quality opponents in Penn State and Illinois. This team looks better and better every week.
7. Oklahoma - Oklahoma spanked Texas, then turned around and beat A&M. They are perfectly deserving of a Final Four spot, but no one else fell down. If they can continue to get production from Tyler Griffin and their relatively thin bench, they will be a tough out come March.
8. Louisville - The polls seem to have caught up with March Maniacs. We had the Cards about a half dozen spots high last week, and the Cards rewarded our faith with a big win over #1 Pitt. Terrance Williams has been spectacular, and freshman Samardo Samuels seems to finally be adapting to the college game. This is still one of the two or three most talented teams in the country.
Sweet and lurking: The next tier (in order)
9. Clemson - Wake Forest handled them pretty easily in what had to be a disappointing loss for the Tigers. That memory will be easily wiped away if they can break their 53-game losing streak at the Dean Dome Wednesday.
10. Marquette - The Maniac admits to sleeping a little bit on this Marquette team. Perhaps it is the back-loaded nature of their Big East schedule that left me a little wary. They are 5-0, but only Villanova and WVU are in the "Big Nine." In my opinion, there are 4 giants in this league and Marquette hasn't seen one yet.
That said,their backcourt is probably the best in the nation; James, Lazar and McNeal are as good a trio as you will find. Only Duke and UNC can make an argument against them.
Just something to plant in the back of your mind; the Warriors close with: @ G'town, Louisville, @ UConn, @ Pitt, and Syracuse. (the first four, are in my opinion, the Four Giants). Brutal close, but the kind of finishing schedule that can legitimately earn you a #1 seed. (Not that I think they will...2-3 would be respectable).
From here, things get tough. You can argue each of these teams up or down real easily. It really is a mess from 11-30 this year. Here is my slant, with an argument for each. Feel free to argue with me.
11. UCLA - A home loss to Arizona State isn't totally inexcusable, except that ASU just lost at home to USC. Parity rears it's ugly head in the Pac-10, however I still feel pretty confident that the Bruins are the best out West.
12. Syracuse - Look, 10-6 in that conference is fine. Syracuse is 1-2 on a brutal stretch that still includes Louisville Sunday.
13. Xavier - Again, I think this team is better than they showed against Duke back in December, but all these A-10 wins are just biding time until March. That said, the Muskies notched a good win at Rhode Island (who also gave Duke fits)
14. Georgetown - Another loss this week for the Hoyas, but their losses (Duke, Pitt, Tennessee, Notre Dame) are all reasonable. Even more they are toughening losses come March.
15. Florida - Surprising pick maybe, but it is hard to ignore the entire SEC as much as pollsters have of late. Texas and Arizona State bring 4 losses to their perch, yet the Gators at 16-2 remain unranked. Their two losses? A close neutral-courter to Syracuse and a 2 point loss to Florida State. They have ripped off a dozen in row and Nick Calathes seems to be settling in as a true leader of this club.
16. Butler- You know my stance on Butler. That said, you have to admit their steady focus in what is supposed to be a "down year" is impressive.
Closing In...
Gonzaga, St. Mary's, Cal, Notre Dame, Arizona State, Kentucky, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Florida State, Memphis, Villanova, Purdue, Tennessee
Half Court Heaves: Long shots worth keeping an eye on
Siena, VMI, Liberty, George Mason, VCU, UTEP, Davidson, Missouri, Utah St, Illinois St, Penn St, Stephen F. Austin, Illinois St, Creighton
FINAL FOUR:
1. Wake Forest - The Deacons survived and thrived in another big test Saturday at Clemson. In the past three weeks they have won at BYU and Clemson and beaten North Carolina. Jeff Teague is making a serious case for first team All-American.
2. Duke - The Dukies beat a better-than-you think FSU team, then followed it up with a solid victory over Georgetown. Another strong case for the ACC as the nation's best league in 2009. We have already set the TiVo for the Jan 28th trip to Wake Forest.
3. Pitt - Yes, the Panthers lost over the weekend at a suddenly resilient Louisville club, but by no means was that a panic button loss. The inability to get quality shots off in the last three minutes was disappointing, but the Panthers rebounded nicely with a pasting of Syracuse.
4. North Carolina - The Tarheels appear to be back on track with their second half demolition of Miami. They host Clemson Wednesday. The Tigers have lost 53 straight at Carolina. Not a typo. 53 straight.
ELITE EIGHT:
5. UConn - The Huskies caught a brief lull in the schedule, but ramp it back up this week playing Villanova and Notre Dame. For some reason, it still feels like something is missing from this UConn squad, but they certainly have Final Four/National Champion talent.
6. Michigan State - The beat keeps on as the Spartans beat two more quality opponents in Penn State and Illinois. This team looks better and better every week.
7. Oklahoma - Oklahoma spanked Texas, then turned around and beat A&M. They are perfectly deserving of a Final Four spot, but no one else fell down. If they can continue to get production from Tyler Griffin and their relatively thin bench, they will be a tough out come March.
8. Louisville - The polls seem to have caught up with March Maniacs. We had the Cards about a half dozen spots high last week, and the Cards rewarded our faith with a big win over #1 Pitt. Terrance Williams has been spectacular, and freshman Samardo Samuels seems to finally be adapting to the college game. This is still one of the two or three most talented teams in the country.
Sweet and lurking: The next tier (in order)
9. Clemson - Wake Forest handled them pretty easily in what had to be a disappointing loss for the Tigers. That memory will be easily wiped away if they can break their 53-game losing streak at the Dean Dome Wednesday.
10. Marquette - The Maniac admits to sleeping a little bit on this Marquette team. Perhaps it is the back-loaded nature of their Big East schedule that left me a little wary. They are 5-0, but only Villanova and WVU are in the "Big Nine." In my opinion, there are 4 giants in this league and Marquette hasn't seen one yet.
That said,their backcourt is probably the best in the nation; James, Lazar and McNeal are as good a trio as you will find. Only Duke and UNC can make an argument against them.
Just something to plant in the back of your mind; the Warriors close with: @ G'town, Louisville, @ UConn, @ Pitt, and Syracuse. (the first four, are in my opinion, the Four Giants). Brutal close, but the kind of finishing schedule that can legitimately earn you a #1 seed. (Not that I think they will...2-3 would be respectable).
From here, things get tough. You can argue each of these teams up or down real easily. It really is a mess from 11-30 this year. Here is my slant, with an argument for each. Feel free to argue with me.
11. UCLA - A home loss to Arizona State isn't totally inexcusable, except that ASU just lost at home to USC. Parity rears it's ugly head in the Pac-10, however I still feel pretty confident that the Bruins are the best out West.
12. Syracuse - Look, 10-6 in that conference is fine. Syracuse is 1-2 on a brutal stretch that still includes Louisville Sunday.
13. Xavier - Again, I think this team is better than they showed against Duke back in December, but all these A-10 wins are just biding time until March. That said, the Muskies notched a good win at Rhode Island (who also gave Duke fits)
14. Georgetown - Another loss this week for the Hoyas, but their losses (Duke, Pitt, Tennessee, Notre Dame) are all reasonable. Even more they are toughening losses come March.
15. Florida - Surprising pick maybe, but it is hard to ignore the entire SEC as much as pollsters have of late. Texas and Arizona State bring 4 losses to their perch, yet the Gators at 16-2 remain unranked. Their two losses? A close neutral-courter to Syracuse and a 2 point loss to Florida State. They have ripped off a dozen in row and Nick Calathes seems to be settling in as a true leader of this club.
16. Butler- You know my stance on Butler. That said, you have to admit their steady focus in what is supposed to be a "down year" is impressive.
Closing In...
Gonzaga, St. Mary's, Cal, Notre Dame, Arizona State, Kentucky, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Florida State, Memphis, Villanova, Purdue, Tennessee
Half Court Heaves: Long shots worth keeping an eye on
Siena, VMI, Liberty, George Mason, VCU, UTEP, Davidson, Missouri, Utah St, Illinois St, Penn St, Stephen F. Austin, Illinois St, Creighton
No comments:
Post a Comment