Sweet Sixteen picks - Walter's Football Site

Joey · Status: Offline

Sweet Sixteen picks

Walter · Status: Offline

I will post my sweet 16 picks soon. I was actually going to work on my first Top 25 for college basketball now that it is February. I'd like to say that a sleeper in my sweet 16 will be Pacific. I think they are one of the better teams in the country and should be ranked.

Joey · Status: Offline

My sleeper is UMass. They might have trouble getting into the tournament, but if they get there I say they do alot of damage, because it seems they can beat the good teams, but then find a way to lose against the bad teams.

Walter · Status: Offline

My rankings are up.

Sweet 16 teams:

Illinois, Kansas, Boston College, Syracuse

Duke, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, North Carolina

Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Utah, Pacific

Washington, Wichita State, Kentucky, Wake Forest

Elite 8:

Illinois, Kansas, Boston College, Syracuse, Duke, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, North Carolina

Final Four:

Illinois, Kansas, Boston College, Oklahoma State

Championship:

Illinois over Kansas

Joey · Status: Offline

I dont think that Illinois will be able to hang with the Big 12 or ACC. Those are the 2 superior conferences. I dont think Illinois would even be in the Top Four in the Big 12 or ACC. Duke, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Maryland, Georgia Tech, NC State, Miami, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech. All of these teams could make a legitimate case for the NCAA Tournament and Illinois will have to collide with one of them, I dont think they will be able to handle it.

fricko · Status: Offline

my pick is Kansas. but then, Kansas is my pick every year. even after they've been knocked out of the tournament... i don't follow basketball so much...

Joey · Status: Offline

Kansas actually has an excellent shot this year, if they stay serious they probably will win it, but I know I picked them to make the Elite 8, but I created a bracket with all 64 teams last night, and I think they will look ahead of an 8th or 9th ranked team in the 2nd round and lose.

Walter · Status: Offline

Who do you have them playing in the second round?

Joey · Status: Offline

Here is my entire bracket.

Note: I dont know how the brackets work, so some this could probably never happen, I just ranked the teams and scrambled them up.

FIRST ROUND
1. Oklahoma State defeats 16. Indiana
9. Holy Cross defeats 8. Columbia
4. Wisconsin defeats 13. UAB
5. Pitt defeats 12. Vermont
2. Wake Forest defeats 15. UT- Chattanogga
7. UTEP defeats 10. Alabama A&M
3. Louisville defeats 14.Texas A&M Corpus Christi
6. Villanova defeats 11. Coll of Charlton

1. North Carolina defeats 16. Gonzaga
8. Kansas State defeats 9. Portland State
4. Kentucky defeats 13. Fair Dickinson
5. Texas defeats 12. DePaul
2. Iowa defeats 15. Louisianna- Lafayette
7. UConn defeats 10. Charlotte
3. Boston College defeats 14. Oral Roberts
6. George Washington defeats 11. Jacksonville

1. Illinois defeats 16. Utah
8. UMass defeats 9. Winthrop
4. Oklahoma defeats 13. Wichita State
5. U of the Pacific defeats 12. Western Michigan
2. Duke defeats 15. Wisconsin- Milwaukee
10. Xavier defeats 7. Minnesota
3. Arizona defeats 14. NC- Wilmington
6. St. Mary's, California defeats 11. Maryland

1. Syracuse defeats 16. Notre Dame
9. Alabama defeats 8. New Mexico
4. Michigan State defeats 13. Coppin State
5. Tennessee Tech defeats 12. Niagara
2. Kansas defeats 15. Arkansas State
10. Georgia Tech defeats 7. Miami, Ohio
3. Texas Tech defeats 14. Southeast Louisianna
6. Washington defeats 11. Cincinnati

SECOND ROUND
1. Oklahoma State defeats 9. Holy Cross
5. Pitt defeats 4. Wisconsin
2. Wake Forest defeats 7. UTEP
6. Villanova defeats 3. Louisville

1. North Carolina defeats 8. Kansas State
5. Texas defeats 4. Kentucky
2. Iowa defeats 7. UConn
3. Boston College defeats 6. George Washington

8. UMass defeats 1. Illinois
5. U of the Pacific defeats 4. Oklahoma
2. Duke defeats 10. Xavier
3. Arizona defeats 6. St. Mary's, California

1. Syracuse defeats 8. Alabama
4. Michigan State defeats 5. Tennessee Tech
10. Georgia Tech defeats 2. Kansas
3. Texas Tech defeats 6. Washington

SWEET SIXTEEN
1. Oklahoma State defeats 5. Pitt
6. Villanova defeats 2. Wake Forest

1. North Carolina defeats 5. Texas
3. Boston College defeats 2. Iowa

8. UMass defeats 5. U of the Pacific
2. Duke defeats 3. Arizona

1. Syracuse defeats 4. Michigan State
3. Texas Tech defeats 10. Georgia Tech

ELITE EIGHT
1. Oklahoma State defeats 6. Villanova

1. North Carolina defeats 3. Boston College

2. Duke defeats 8. UMass

1. Syracuse defeats 3. Texas Tech

FINAL FOUR

North Carolina defeats Oklahoma State

Syracuse defeats Duke

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

North Carolina defeats Syracuse

-- Edited by Joey at 14:46, 2005-02-04

Walter · Status: Offline

Well, the tournament committee would never put teams like INdiana, Notre Dame, Utah or Gonzaga into the 16th- 15th- 14th- 13th-seeds. Those seeds are reserved for minor-conference winners like Monmouth, Davidson, Winthorp, Coppin State, Valpo, etc.

By the way, you might want to take Iowa out of that #2 seed. They just lost their best player, Pierre Pierce for the year.

Joey · Status: Offline

That loss to Michigan State didnt help them any, either. I believe that will change, I agree. Am I right on the fact that you have to put the conference champion from every conference in?

Walter · Status: Offline

Yeah, every conference champ receives an automatic bid. I don't think Texas A&M Corpus Cristi gets in because they are an independent.

Joey · Status: Offline

Thanks for pointing that out, Im working on my new bracket it will be up relatively soon.

-- Edited by Joey at 19:51, 2005-02-07

Joey · Status: Offline

Heres my new bracket

FIRST ROUND

1. Oklahoma State defeats 16. Fair Dicksinson
9. Xavier defeats 8. Columbia
4. Iowa defeats 13. Miami, Ohio
5. Pitt defeats 12. Dayton
2. Wake Forest defeats 15. UT- Chattanooga
7. UTEP defeats 10. Portland State
3. Louisville defeats 14. NC Wilmington
6. Villanova defeats 11. Gonzaga

1. North Carolina defeats 16. Coll of Charlton
8. Kansas State defeats 9. Maryland
4. Wisconsin defeats 13. Arkansas State
5. Texas defeats 12. Princeton
2. Kentucky defeats 15. SE Louisianna
7. UConn defeats 10. Charlotte
3. Boston College defeats 14. LA Lafayette
6. George Washington defeats 11. Jacksonville

1. Illinois defeats 16. Niagara
8. UMass defeats 9. Tennessee Tech
4. Oklahoma defeats 13. Wichita State
12. Notre Dame defeats 5. U of the Pacific
2. Duke defeats 15. Oral Roberts
7. Holy Cross defeats 10. Cincinnati
3. Arizona defeats 14. Alabama A&M
6. St. Mary's, California defeats 11. Vermont

1. Syracuse defeats 16. Coppin State
9. Alabama defeats 8. New Mexico
4. Michigan State defeats 13. Winthrop
5. Minnesota defeats 12. Indiana
2. Kansas defeats 15. Wisconsin-Milwaukee
10. Georgia Tech defeats 7. Georgetown
3. Texas Tech defeats 14. Western Michigan
11. Utah defeats 6. Washington

SECOND ROUND

1. Oklahoma State defeats 9. Xavier
5. Pitt defeats 4. Iowa
2. Wake Forest defeats 7. UTEP
6. Villanova defeats 3. Louisville

1. North Carolina defeats 8. Kansas State
5. Texas defeats 4. Wisconsin
7. UConn defeats 2. Kentucky
3. Boston College defeats 6. George Washington

8. UMass defeats 1. Illinois
12. Notre Dame defeats 4. Oklahoma
2. Duke defeats 7. Holy Cross
3. Arizona defeats 6. St. Mary's, California

1. Syracuse defeats 9. Alabama
4. Michigan State defeats 5. Minnesota
10. Georgia Tech defeats 2. Kansas
3. Texas Tech defeats 11. Utah

SWEET SIXTEEN

1. Oklahoma State defeats 5. Pittsburgh
6. Villanova defeats 2. Wake Forest

1. North Carolina defeats 5. Texas
7. UConn defeats 3. Boston College

8. UMass defeats 12. Notre Dame
2. Duke defeats 3. Arizona

1. Syracuse defeats 4. Michigan State
3. Texas Tech defeats 10. Georgia Tech

ELITE EIGHT

1. Oklahoma State defeats 6. Villanova

1. North Carolina defeats 7. UConn

2. Duke defeats 8. UMass

1. Syracuse defeats 3. Texas Tech

FINAL FOUR

North Carolina defeats Oklahoma State

Syracuse defeats Duke

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

North Carolina defeats Syracuse

NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

North Carolina Tar Heels

Walter · Status: Offline

I think the following teams may surprise the public come tournament time:

Miami Ohio - The MAC has a great tournament rating because they frequently pull upsets. I think they can beat Iowa and Pitt, advancing to the Sweet 16.

Wichita State - Any team from the MVC is really dangerous. Think about the Southern Illinois and Creightons of the past few years.

Also, the committee would never make Notre Dame a 12-seed.

By the way, I think you gave these teams higher seeds than they deserve:

Portland State, Columbia, Fairleigh Dickenson (I think Monmouth will win the NEC), UNC-Wilmington (I think Old Dominion will win the CAA), Jacksonville, Tennessee Tech, Holy Cross and Western Michigan (Pigs will fly before they let two MAC teams into the tourney).

Joey · Status: Offline

MAC pulls off upsets but the Big Ten is the real deal, Iowa beats Miami, Ohio.

I actually considered having Wichita State upset Oklahoma, but I couldnt bring myself to knock out Oklahoma in the first round.

What do you mean make Notre Dame a 12 seed, you want me to go higher? Gonzaga, Jacksonville, Vermont, and Utah are better than them, I dont think I can put them any higher. I think they clinched a berth with their win over Boston College, so well see what the commitee sais next month.

I think that Old Dominion and Monmouth look ahead and get upset by these teams, so I say they stay in.

I agree that I put Portland State too high.

I think Jacksonville, Tennessee Tech, Holy Cross, and Western Michigan are placed where they should be.

Walter · Status: Offline

Big Ten is the real deal? I don't think so. The Big XII, ACC and Big East are all much stronger. The Big Ten hasn't fared well in recent tournaments.

In the words of Joe Namath, Oklahoma is struggle-ing. A home loss to Texas Tech and a road loss to woeful Missouri could drop them out of the Top 25.

Jacksonville is better than Notre Dame? Jacksonville? Are you talking about the Jacksonville Jaguars? Jacksonville will get a 15- or 16-seed. Vermont will be seeded higher than Notre Dame because of the conference they play in. And yes, Notre Dame clinched tourney birth unless they have a complete collapse.

Typically, mid- and low-major schools get placed in the bottom of the bracket (16, 15, 14, 13 seeds). No matter what their records are. Exceptions to the rules are Gonzaga, Southern Illinois and Pacific, because they have already been to the tourney. You will never see Tenn Tech with a nine-seed. Never.

-- Edited by Walter at 22:13, 2005-02-14

Joey · Status: Offline

Big East, Big 12, and ACC are better than the Big Ten, but the Big Ten has to be fourth place, way ahead of the MAC.

I am not arguing who is in the Top 25, Oklahoma stayed there surprisingly, but I think the Sooners will eventually win a game and get back on track. They are too talented to lose to Wichita State.

On the other two topics, like I said earlier, well just see here in a few weeks.

Joey · Status: Offline

Forget about Kansas State they are getting crushed by Iowa State put Iowa State in that spot I had them in.

Walter · Status: Offline

You may have noticed that Iowa State obliterates teams at home. Have you ever watched a game at Iowa State? That crowd is nuts, even when the Cyclones are losing. I don't know what they are on, or how much they drink before games, but it works.

Joey · Status: Offline

Tell me about it. My Red Raiders were killed at Iowa State, and then we beat Kansas. If every game in the season was there the Cyclones might be 27-0. They scare me because it is looking like the Raiders will have to face them again in the Big 12 Tournament. If so, Im not sure we even make it out of the second round.

Walter · Status: Offline

How about Iowa State's amazing overtime victory at Kansas? I did not think the Cyclones were capable of winning in there. They have definitely clinched a tournament bid.

Joey · Status: Offline

I thought they would get stomped because Kansas would be angry and it was the exact opposite.

What is up with the Jayhawks. 3 straight losses with probably the second or third most talented team in Basketball? I dont think it is coaching, I think the players just arent listening to their coach. If they keep this up they might find themselves with only a 4 or 5 seed.

Walter · Status: Offline

What may have saved Kansas' hopes for a one- or two-seed was Oklahoma State's loss at Nebraska. The Cowboys were clearly looking ahead to their matchup against the Jayhawks this weekend. Although Kansas has lost three games in a row, they can probably make their two road losses (Tx Tech, Oklahoma) moot if they beat Oklahoma State. The home loss to Iowa State may still haunt them in their quest for a one-seed, but is there really a huge difference between a first and second seed in the tournament?

Joey · Status: Offline

Not a whole lot except having to play a third seed instead of a fourth seed. I still think Kansas gets upset in the second round, and Oklahoma State will go to the Final Four. But at this moment in time, I dont see either team getting a number one seed anymore.

Walter · Status: Offline

I think the winner of this game today can get a one-seed, provided they don't flop in the Big XII tournament. By the way, how impressive was Connecticut yesterday? Or, how unimpressive was Pittsburgh? I can't make up my mind.

Joey · Status: Offline

I didnt get to really pay alot of attention to that game because I was watching my Red Raiders stink it up against A&M. I dont know why everyone is losing to A&M theyre not that impressive. The only way they have beaten Texas and Texas Tech so far that I have seen is Texas and Texas Tech beat themselves. But I did flip everyonce and awhile to UConn/Pitt and I was very impressed with the champs. They needed that game to stay in the Big East hunt with Syracuse and BC. I am taking away my pick of Syracuse beating Duke. I think that the National Championship will be Duke v.s North Carolina and North Carolina wins. Wouldnt that be interesting? The National Championship is a tobacco road shoot out. That might provide for the greatest championship game of all time.

Walter · Status: Offline

A Duke-NC final would be interesting, but it's not happening. The Blue Devils don't have the depth to go the distance, while Roy Williams' tournament jinx will come back to haunt him.

You're right about Texas A&M. I don't know how they're doing it. They even managed to keep it close against Oklahoma State tonight.

Texas is done. I'll be shocked if they make the tournament. The absences of P.J. Tucker and LaMarcus Aldrige ruined their season.

Joey · Status: Offline

If there was a formula to determine who makes the tournament youre right Texas wouldnt make it. But it is people who decide who go in and people want to see Texas in it because they are interesting, if the selection committee has to choose between Texas or a small conference team they will choose Texas. Texas will at least make it to the Big 12 Quarter Finals and if they play Texas Tech I hope not but they might win. Plus beating us, Oklahoma State, and some other teams. I still think they will make it.

Walter · Status: Offline

You're right: Texas is in. They won at Oklahoma State, which is almost impossible. They don't have to win a single game in the Big XII tourney.