NCAA Field Projection – March 11, 2020

My bracket is part of the The Bracket Project’s website along with many other great brackets that college basketball fans are part of.  Link to The Bracket Project

The 1s: Kansas, Gonzaga, Dayton, Baylor

The 2s: San Diego State, Florida State, Villanova, Creighton

The 3s: Duke, Michigan State, Seton Hall, Maryland

The 4s: Kentucky, Oregon, Louisville, Wisconsin

The 5s: Auburn, BYU, Ohio State, Butler

The 6s: West Virginia, Iowa, Penn State, Virginia

The 7s: Colorado, Illinois, Arizona, Michigan

The 8s: Houston, St. Mary’s (CA), LSU, Providence

The 9s: Marquette, Rutgers, USC, Florida

The 10s: Texas Tech, Arizona State, Indiana, Oklahoma

The 11s: Stanford, Cincinnati, Wichita State, Richmond, UCLA, Utah State

The 12s: Stephen F. Austin, East Tennessee State, Liberty, Yale

The 13s: Vermont, North Texas, Akron, New Mexico State

The 14s: Colgate, Belmont, Hofstra, Bradley

The 15s: UC Irvine, Eastern Washington, North Dakota State, Arkansas-Little Rock

The 16s: Northern Kentucky, Winthrop, Robert Morris, Prairie View A&M, Siena, North Carolina Central

 

 

 

 

 

Big East First Round Predictions

I woke up midweek last week and heard birds singing tunes as we all welcome warmer weather.  After I stepped outside to head to work, I caught myself associating the temperature and sounds with college basketball in March.  It is the most wonderful time of the year, especially for those that get to shed that jacket or extra layer due to warmer temperatures.  Not only that, there’s midday college basketball games!

Big East Tournament Predictions

I’m traveling with my two sisters to the Big East Tournament for the first time this year and we are looking forward to seeing some great basketball!  The Big East was one of the most competitive conferences this season and the intensity will be turned up as teams that sit on the bubble or outside the current projected field will look to punch their ticket.

Safely In

Villanova, Seton Hall, Creighton, Butler, Providence, Marquette

Work to do

Xavier

Currently Out and Needs to Win the Tournament

Georgetown, St. John’s, DePaul

 

Wednesday’s Games

Game 1:

St. John’s vs. Georgetown

Many did not expect Georgetown to be in this position at the conclusion of the season, but with transfers and a myriad of injuries, the Hoyas sit on the outside of the tournament looking in.  Having Mac McClung sitting on the sideling for much of the past few months has mostly hindered the Hoyas.  They’ve shown resilience by beating a defensive minded Butler team at Hinkle and they are capable of winning!  St. John’s, like DePaul, had a surprisingly good nonconference, highlighted by a win over Arizona.  The Johnnies play fast and crash the boards hard.  That should be no surprise knowing this is a team coached by Mike Anderson.  Also similar to DePaul, St. John’s has had lackluster shooting and will be the reason for their eventual end to the 2020 season.

Prediction:

Knowing that this is essentially a home game for St. John’s gives them an advantage.  St. John’s really doesn’t have a solid group of three players they can go to when they need a bucket.  They play scrappy and force other teams into turning the ball over.  I think St. John’s win’s tonight and moves on to the quarterfinal on Thursday.

Final Thoughts:

Because I get to be with my sisters on this trip, they are invited to share their thoughts on the current events of college basketball!  Growing up Butler fans since birth, there may be some bias (and sarcasm) in what we share.  Not all opinions are Butler related and that is evidenced below.  I hope you all enjoy Championship week wherever you watch.

Game 2:  Xavier vs. DePaul

Xavier comes into the tournament without a winning conference record for the first time in 37 years.  After the heroics of Butler’s Kamar Baldwin at the conclusion of the regular season, Xavier now sits squarely on the bubble.  Both teams enter this game in the same boat, desperation.  However, I think both teams take on different types of desperation.

Xavier recently held a 1 seed in the NCAA tournament just a few years ago, looks to continue their success in the postseason.  They seek to win and meet expectations.  On the other hand, DePaul’s great non conference results really left a lot on the table during Big East Conference play.  The positive is DePaul finished the season on a better note.  The Blue Demon’s match up well, but their shooting is what holds them back.  Settling for midrange jump shots and three pointers will spell the end for DePaul when that comes.  Those types of shots are also a recipe for success.  During the season, Xavier won both game that were decided by single digits.  DePaul matches up well with Paul Reed being the critical piece for the Blue Demons.  Xavier’s Naji Marshall is the leader of this team.  It does not appear that his supporting teammates have consistent play.  Although Xavier is favored, I think DePaul plays Xavier much closer.

Prediction:

I think DePaul makes their shots and upsets Xavier and sends the Musketeers packing.  If DePaul can make their threes early on, Xavier will be forced to open up the paint and the bigs will be able to find their shots down low.

Kate’s predictions:

Butler gives us a heart attack and Lavall looks good in a suit. Don’t trust Kansas.

NCAA Field Projection – March 9, 2020

My bracket is part of the The Bracket Project’s website along with many other great brackets that college basketball fans are part of.  Link to The Bracket Project

The 1s: Kansas, Gonzaga, Dayton, Baylor

The 2s: San Diego State, Florida State, Villanova, Creighton

The 3s: Duke, Michigan State, Seton Hall, Maryland

The 4s: Kentucky, Oregon, Louisville, Wisconsin

The 5s: Auburn, BYU, Ohio State, Butler

The 6s: West Virginia, Iowa, Penn State, Michigan

The 7s: Colorado, Illinois, Houston, Virginia

The 8s: Arizona, St. Mary’s (CA), LSU, Providence

The 9s: Marquette, Rutgers, USC, Florida

The 10s: Texas Tech, Arizona State, Indiana, Oklahoma

The 11s: Stanford, Cincinnati, Wichita State, Rhode Island, UCLA, Utah State

The 12s: Stephen F. Austin, East Tennessee State, Liberty, Yale

The 13s: Vermont, North Texas, Akron, New Mexico State

The 14s: Colgate, Belmont, Hofstra, Bradley

The 15s: UIC, UC Irvine, Eastern Washington, North Dakota State

The 16s: Arkansas-Little Rock, Winthrop, St. Francis (PA.), Prairie View A&M, Siena, North Carolina Central

 

 

 

 

 

NCAA Field Projection – March 3, 2020

My bracket is part of the The Bracket Project’s website along with many other great brackets that college basketball fans are part of.  Link to The Bracket Project

The 1s: Kansas, Gonzaga, Dayton, Baylor

The 2s: Maryland, San Diego State, Florida State, Seton Hall

The 3s: Louisville, Duke, Villanova, Kentucky

The 4s: Penn State, Creighton, Oregon, Michigan State

The 5s: West Virginia, Arizona, Ohio State, Butler

The 6s: Wisconsin, BYU, Iowa, Michigan

The 7s: Colorado, Illinois, Marquette, Auburn

The 8s: Texas Tech, St. Mary’s (CA), Houston, Virginia

The 9s: LSU, Indiana, Arizona State, Florida

The 10s: Providence, USC, Xavier, Oklahoma

The 11s: Stanford, Rutgers, Wichita State, Rhode Island, UCLA, Utah State

The 12s: Northern Iowa, East Tennessee State, Liberty, Yale

The 13s: Stephen F. Austin, Vermont, North Texas, Akron

The 14s: New Mexico State, Colgate, Belmont, Hofstra

The 15s: Wright State, UC Irvine, Arkansas-Little Rock, South Dakota State

The 16s: Montana, Radford, Prairie View A&M, St. Francis (PA), Norfolk State, Siena

 

 

 

 

 

NCAA Field Projection – February 27, 2020

My bracket is part of the The Bracket Project’s website along with many other great brackets that college basketball fans are part of.  Link to The Bracket Project

The 1s: Baylor, Kansas, San Diego State, Gonzaga

The 2s: Maryland, Dayton, Florida State, Creighton

The 3s: Duke, Villanova, Louisville, Seton Hall

The 4s: Penn State, Oregon, Kentucky, Michigan

The 5s: West Virginia, Auburn,Michigan State, Colorado

The 6s: Butler, Iowa, Arizona, Ohio State

The 7s: Wisconsin, Illinois, Marquette, BYU

The 8s: Texas Tech, LSU, Houston, Arizona State

The 9s: St. Mary’s (CA), Indiana, Virginia, Florida

The 10s: Wichita State, Rutgers, Xavier, Rhode Island

The 11s: Utah State, USC, Providence, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, NC State

The 12s: Northern Iowa, East Tennessee State, Liberty, Yale

The 13s: Stephen F. Austin, Vermont, North Texas, Akron

The 14s: New Mexico State, Colgate, Belmont, Hofstra

The 15s: Wright State, UC Irvine, Arkansas-Little Rock, South Dakota State

The 16s: Montana, Radford, Prairie View A&M, St. Francis (PA), Norfolk State, Siena

 

 

 

 

 

NCAA Field Projection – February 26, 2020

My bracket is part of the The Bracket Project’s website along with many other great brackets that college basketball fans are part of.  Link to The Bracket Project

The 1s: Baylor, Kansas, San Diego State, Gonzaga

The 2s: Maryland, Dayton, Florida State, Creighton

The 3s: Duke, Villanova, Louisville, Seton Hall

The 4s: West Virginia, Penn State, Oregon, Auburn

The 5s: Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Colorado

The 6s: Butler, Iowa, Arizona, Ohio State

The 7s: Wisconsin, Illinois, Marquette, BYU

The 8s: Texas Tech, LSU, Houston, Arizona State

The 9s: St. Mary’s (CA), Indiana, Virginia, Florida

The 10s: Wichita State, Rutgers, Xavier, Rhode Island

The 11s: Utah State, USC, Providence, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, NC State

The 12s: Northern Iowa, East Tennessee State, Liberty, Yale

The 13s: Stephen F. Austin, Vermont, North Texas, Akron

The 14s: New Mexico State, Colgate, Belmont, Hofstra

The 15s: Wright State, UC Irvine, Arkansas-Little Rock, South Dakota State

The 16s: Montana, Radford, Prairie View A&M, St. Francis (PA), Norfolk State, Siena

 

 

 

 

 

NCAA Field Projection – February 21, 2020

My bracket is part of the The Bracket Project’s website along with many other great brackets that college basketball fans are part of.  Link to The Bracket Project

The 1s: Baylor, Kansas, San Diego State, Gonzaga

The 2s: Maryland, Dayton, Duke, Florida State

The 3s: West Virginia, Louisville, Creighton, Seton Hall

The 4s: Penn State, Villanova, Colorado, Auburn

The 5s: Kentucky, Iowa, Butler, Oregon

The 6s: Michigan State, Marquette, Arizona, Ohio State

The 7s: Wisconsin, Illinois, Houston, BYU

The 8s: Texas Tech, LSU, Michigan, Rutgers

The 9s: St. Mary’s (CA), Oklahoma, Xavier, Florida

The 10s: Wichita State, Arizona State, USC, Rhode Island

The 11s: Virginia, Purdue, Cincinnati, Northern Iowa, Indiana, Georgetown

The 12s: Utah State, East Tennessee State, Liberty, Yale

The 13s: Stephen F. Austin, Vermont, North Texas, Akron

The 14s: New Mexico State, Colgate, Wright State, Hofstra

The 15s: UC Irvine, Arkansas-Little Rock, Montana, South Dakota State

The 16s: Radford, Belmont, Prairie View A&M, St. Francis (PA), Norfolk State, Siena

 

 

 

 

 

NCAA Field Projection – February 20, 2020

My bracket is part of the The Bracket Project’s website along with many other great brackets that college basketball fans are part of.  Link to The Bracket Project

The 1s: Baylor, Kansas, San Diego State, Gonzaga

The 2s: Maryland, Dayton, Duke, Florida State

The 3s: Louisville, Creighton, Seton Hall, West Virginia

The 4s: Penn State, Villanova, Colorado, Auburn

The 5s: Kentucky, Iowa, Butler, Oregon

The 6s: Michigan State, Marquette, Arizona, Ohio State

The 7s: Wisconsin, Illinois, Houston, Texas Tech

The 8s: BYU, LSU, Michigan, Rutgers

The 9s: St. Mary’s (CA), Oklahoma, Xavier, Wichita State

The 10s: Florida, Arizona State, USC, Rhode Island

The 11s: Virginia, Purdue, Cincinnati, Northern Iowa, Indiana, Georgetown

The 12s: Utah State, East Tennessee State, Liberty, Yale

The 13s: Stephen F. Austin, Vermont, North Texas, Akron

The 14s: New Mexico State, Colgate, Wright State, Hofstra

The 15s: UC Irvine, Arkansas-Little Rock, Murray State, South Dakota State

The 16s: Winthrop, Montana, Prairie View A&M, Robert Morris, Norfolk State, St. Peter’s

 

 

 

 

 

NCAA Field Projection – February 19, 2020

My bracket is part of the The Bracket Project’s website along with many other great brackets that college basketball fans are part of.  Link to The Bracket Project

The 1s: Baylor, Kansas, San Diego State, Gonzaga

The 2s: Duke, Maryland, Dayton, Florida State

The 3s: West Virginia, Penn State, Louisville, Seton Hall

The 4s: Creighton, Villanova, Colorado, Auburn

The 5s: Kentucky, Iowa, Butler, Oregon

The 6s: Michigan State, Marquette, Arizona, Ohio State

The 7s: Wisconsin, Illinois, Houston, Texas Tech

The 8s: BYU, LSU, Michigan, Rutgers

The 9s: St. Mary’s (CA), Oklahoma, Xavier, Wichita State

The 10s: Florida, Arizona State, USC, Rhode Island

The 11s: Virginia, Purdue, Cincinnati, Northern Iowa, Indiana, Georgetown

The 12s: Utah State, East Tennessee State, Liberty, Yale

The 13s: Stephen F. Austin, Vermont, North Texas, Akron

The 14s: New Mexico State, Colgate, Wright State, Hofstra

The 15s: UC Irvine, Arkansas-Little Rock, Murray State, South Dakota State

The 16s: Winthrop, Montana, Prairie View A&M, Robert Morris, North Carolina Central, St. Peter’s

 

 

 

 

 

NCAA Field Projection – February 18, 2020

My bracket is part of the The Bracket Project’s website along with many other great brackets that college basketball fans are part of.  Link to The Bracket Project

The 1s: Baylor, Kansas, San Diego State, Gonzaga

The 2s: Duke, Maryland, Dayton, Florida State

The 3s: West Virginia, Penn State, Louisville, Seton Hall

The 4s: Creighton, Villanova, Colorado, Auburn

The 5s: Kentucky, Iowa, Butler, Oregon

The 6s: Michigan State, Marquette, Arizona, Ohio State

The 7s: Wisconsin, Houston, Michigan, Texas Tech

The 8s: BYU, LSU, Illinois, Rutgers

The 9s: St. Mary’s (CA), Oklahoma, Xavier, Wichita State

The 10s: Florida, Arizona State, USC, Rhode Island

The 11s: Virginia, Purdue, Cincinnati, Northern Iowa, Indiana, Georgetown

The 12s: Utah State, East Tennessee State, Liberty, Yale

The 13s: Stephen F. Austin, Vermont, North Texas, Akron

The 14s: New Mexico State, Colgate, Wright State, Hofstra

The 15s: UC Irvine, Arkansas-Little Rock, Murray State, South Dakota State

The 16s: Winthrop, Montana, Prairie View A&M, Robert Morris, North Carolina Central, St. Peter’s