Loftin's field of 65 (FINAL prediction)

[Loftin]

This was a lot harder than I thought it would be, but here's the field of 65 according to me:

#1 seeds:
Memphis (#1 overall seed)
North Carolina
UCLA
Kansas

#2 seeds:
Tennessee
Wisconsin
Texas
Georgetown

#3 seeds:
Duke
Pitt
Stanford
Louisville

#4 seeds:
Xavier
Vanderbilt
Clemson
Arkansas

#5 seeds:
Indiana
UNLV
Drake
Michigan State

#6 seeds:
UConn
BYU
Washington State
West Virginia

#7 seeds:
Mississippi State
USC
Notre Dame
Kansas State

#8 seeds:
Texas A&M
Oklahoma
Marquette
Butler

#9 seeds:
Kent State
Gonzaga
Purdue
Miami (Fl.)

#10 seeds:
Baylor
***UPSET SPECIAL*** (I think either Illinois or Georgia will win today)
St. Mary's
Davidson

#11 seeds:
Arizona
Temple
Illinois State
South Alabama

#12 seeds:
Virginia Tech
San Diego
Oregon
St. Joseph's

#13 seeds:
Oral Roberts
George Mason
Winthrop
Western Kentucky

#14 seeds:
Cornell
Austin Peay
Boise State
Siena

#15 seeds:
Belmont
Cal State Fullerton
Portland State
Mount St. Mary's

#16 seeds:
Southland Champion (Texas-Arlington/Northwestern State)
Mississippi Valley State
UMBC
Play-in game: Coppin State vs. American

My last 10 teams to get in at-large, in order (#1 being the safer one, and #10 being the last team that got in):

1. Gonzaga
2. Miami (Fl.)
3. Baylor
4. St. Mary's
5. Arizona
6. Illinois State
7. South Alabama
8. Virginia Tech
9. St. Joseph's
10. Oregon


My last 10 teams that didn't get in (#1 barely missing out, and #10 not really being close):

1. Villanova
2. Kentucky
3. Massachusetts
4. Ohio State
5. Ole Miss
6. Syracuse
7. Arizona State
8. Florida State
9. Florida
10. Creighton

[big monitor]

pretty accurate in my opinion

[Slotback]

We'll know for sure around 5:00 today.

[WesTxAg]

this obviously took a lot of time and effort, never half-assed....well done, i hope you get quite a bit of :rep:from everyone:gig:

[Agmaniacmike of Aggieland]

Man, great job. :rep: for you.

However, I think Kentucky is in.
Also:
Purdue should be higher than a #9 seed
Arkansas is definitely not a #4 seed
Clemson should be a #5 to #7 seed, I would have them at a #6 seed
I would put Miss. St. and WVU a little bit lower
Butler should be a #3 seed, but they will be a #5 or #6
Memphis should be the #1, but the East Coast bias will give UNC the overall #1.:(

If your projections are correct, then I love A&M's chances with all of those #9 seeds, although I am less confident against Purdue.

Sorry if I sound picky, I'm just bored listening to the baseball game today waiting for the brackets to be announced. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you have the bracket exactly right.
:popcorn: :) :gig: :cool: ;) :D

[Loftin]

Man, great job. :rep: for you.

However, I think Kentucky is in.
Also:
Purdue should be higher than a #9 seed
Arkansas is definitely not a #4 seed
Clemson should be a #5 to #7 seed, I would have them at a #6 seed
I would put Miss. St. and WVU a little bit lower
Butler should be a #3 seed, but they will be a #5 or #6
Memphis should be the #1, but the East Coast bias will give UNC the overall #1.:(

If your projections are correct, then I love A&M's chances with all of those #9 seeds, although I am less confident against Purdue.

Sorry if I sound picky, I'm just bored listening to the baseball game today waiting for the brackets to be announced. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you have the bracket exactly right.
:popcorn: :) :gig: :cool: ;) :D

No problem at all, I appreciate the input. The whole purpose of this was to stimulate conversation while we wait for the actual bracket to come out.

The reason I have Arkansas so high is that they are very similar to Syracuse 2 years ago. The Orange were not going to get into the tournament, but won their conference tourney and got a 5 seed (where the Ags spanked them). Arkansas was a pretty strong bubble team going into the SEC tournament, so assuming they take care of business against Georgia (who played 2 games yesterday), I think they're a little stronger than that Syracuse team that was seeded a 5.

The reason I have Kentucky out is the lack of quality wins. Going 12-4 in a BCS conference should make you a lock, but remember this UK team had some REALLY bad losses (including Gardner-Webb at home). They needed marquee wins to offset that. Tennesse and Vandy are really good wins, but Arkansas was the only other tournament bound team they beat all year.

It'd be hard for a team with only 18 wins, including only 3 against NCAA tournament teams, to make it in. Also remember that their 2 best wins came at home against teams who beat them later in the year (including that 40+ point beatdown from Vandy). If you look at how UK did against bubble teams who are out, they don't stand out. They went 2-3 against Ole Miss, Florida, Houston and UAB, all of whom will be left out. Against NCAA tournament teams, UK is 3-7. Since they only won 30% of their games against tourney teams, and only 40% of their games against teams who are barely missing out, the selection committee may decide that they won't be competetive against the Tournament competition. Going one and done in the conference tourney against cellar-dweller Georgia won't do them any favors, either.

[Loftin]

I got all but 2 of the teams. My first 2 teams out were Kentucky and Villanova, who got in. The teams I thought were in who weren't were Virginia Tech and Illinois State.

Villanova was not a bad choice, and Illinois State did have a couple of bad losses. I have a real issue, however, with Kentucky getting in over Virginia Tech. That was a real screw job.

[whitelightnin_23]

well done!

[Chi Ag]

Good job Loftin...pretty awesome.:gig:

[polish]

Not a knock on Loftin by anymeans but

Its really not that hard to pick the 65 teams. Most are obvious or automatic. The last 5 or so teams is what your guessing on.

Seeding is what is hard to pick