3/24: Do You Know Your Sweet 16? Part 4 - MIDWEST REGION

This was supposed to be the easy lock bracket, every analyst had Kansas emerging from this bracket, and that just made sense to all of us. However, Kansas is not one of the four left standing in this bracket. Instead we have:


- A team led by the likely National Player of the Year
- A team playing in their third consecutive Sweet 16, one of only two teams currently, and coming off a National Title game appearance
- A team led by a coach who wears unusual attire, and has painted his chest for other university events
- A team that knocked the overwhelming national title favorite to get here




MIDWEST REGION


Ohio State Buckeyes





Pre-tournament: 27-7 (17-4 Big Ten) Big Ten Tournament Champions
2010 Tournament Wins: 68-51 vs UC-Santa Barbara, 75-66 vs Georgia Tech
NCAA Tournament History: 26th appearance, 45-24 record, 10 Final Fours, 1 title
Deepest Tournament Run: National Champions - 1960
University History: Founded in 1870 as Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College
Notable Alumni: comedian Richard Lewis, Olympian Jesse Owens, General Curtis "Bombs Away" LeMay, coaching legend Bob Knight
Basketball Venue: Value City Arena at The Jerome Schottenstein Center, opened 1998, capacity 19,200, The Daily Show taped in arena (only college to have show taped on campus)
Their Story: They are led by the best player left in the tournament, since Kentucky's John Wall is a freshman I really can't give him that title, in Evan Turner. If this were purely given to the best team with the best player then this region would go to the Buckeyes, but it isn't.
Up Next: vs Tennessee - Friday at 7:07 PM


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Michigan State Spartans

Pre-tournament: 24-8 (14-5 Big Ten)
2010 Tournament Wins: 70-67 vs New Mexico St, 85-83 vs Maryland
NCAA Tournament History: 24th appearance, 7 Final Fours, 2 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: National Champions - 1979, 2000
University History: Founded as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan in 1855
Notable Alumni: actor James Caan, actress Carol Duvall, NFL OL & "Human Penalty Flag" Flozell Adams
Basketball Venue: Jack Breslin Student Events Center, opened 1989, capacity 15,085, floor is floor on which Spartans won 2000 title (had shipped in and installed)
Their Story: Michigan St started the season with a fair amount of expectations and coming off a less in the 2009 national title game vs UNC. Down the stretch it appeared Michigan St was heading straight off the map with injuries and inconsistent play, but here they are. Tom Izzo is one of the most consistent tournament coaches in the game today, so expect his team to be ready to play. Don't count out another Final Four for Izzo.

Up Next: vs Northern Iowa - Friday 9:37 PM


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Tennessee Volunteers

Pre-tournament: 25-8 (13-6 SEC)
2010 Tournament Wins: 62-59 vs San Diego St, 83-68 vs Ohio
NCAA Tournament History: 18th appearance, 15-18 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: Sweet 16 - 1967, 1981, 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010
University History: Originally Blount College in 1794
Notable Alumni: author Alex Haley, former MLB manager Phil Garner, radio personality Paul Feinbaum, NFL QB Peyton Manning, former football coach Phillip Fulmer
Basketball Venue: Thompson-Boling Arena, opened 1987, capacity 21,000, court named "The Summit" for legendary Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summit
Their Story: Tennessee had some expectations heading into the season, some expected Kentucky to not be this good and for the Vols to win the SEC. Then Tennessee had to kick their best player off the team following off the court ugliness. They followed up that with a win over top-ranked Kansas. Tennessee seems the team that can beat anybody in the country when on their game, but it's sometimes hard to tell if they'll be on their game.

Up Next: vs Ohio St - Friday 7:07 PM


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Northern Iowa Panthers

Pre-tournament: 28-4 (18-3 MVC) Regular Season and Tournament Missouri Valley Conference Champions
2010 Tournament Wins: 69-66 vs UNLV, 69-67 vs Kansas
NCAA Tournament History: 6th appearance, 3-5 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: Sweet 16 - 2010
University History: Originated as Iowa State Normal School in 1876
Notable Alumni: NFL QB Kurt Warner, NFL C Brad Meester, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Basketball Venue: McLeod Center, opened 2006, capacity 7,018, replaced UNI-Dome as home of UNI Basketball
Their Story: It should be noted that Northern Iowa has been on the radar a little in recent years. They have been int he tournament and they've played some ESPN Bracket Buster games. So it's not as if you've never had a chance to watch the school most famous as the alma mater of Kurt Warner. Then it happened... Northern Iowa defeated the pre-eminent favorite to win it all as they beat Kansas. Now all eyes will be on them, because they are a team to be reckoned with from here on out.

Up Next: vs Michigan St - Friday 9:37 PM


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3/23: Do You Know Your Sweet 16? Part 3 - SOUTH REGION

The South Region was said by many to be tailor-made for the top seed to advance all the way though Houston and on to the Final Four in Indianapolis. That's because the top seed is one of the teams in college basketball that drives ratings just be their name. It would be foolish to assume they're just gonna waltz through a bracket of teams that have their sights set on them. The real shame in all the complaining about the perceived weakness of this bracket is that it demeans the rest of the field, the other three teams in this bracket include:


- An team led by a coach with the most memorable last name in the history of upsets
- A team written off by most to even beat a 13-seed in the 1st round due to an injury, but still fighting and winning
- A team who only won one other tournament game, in 1959, vs Idaho St




SOUTH REGION


Duke Blue Devils





Pre-tournament: 29-5 (16-3 ACC) ACC Regular Season and Tournament Champions
2010 Tournament Wins: 73-44 vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 68-53 vs California
NCAA Tournament History: 34th appearance, 90-30 record, 14 Final Fours, 3 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: National Champions - 1991, 1992, 2001
University History: Originated as Brown's Schoolhouse in 1837
Notable Alumni: journalist Charlie Rose, sportswriter John Feinstein, Hall of Fame NFL QB Sonny Jurgensen
Basketball Venue: Cameron Indoor Stadium, opened 1940, capacity 9,314, when opened was largest arena south of the Palestra in Philadelphia
Their Story: Duke has the history, the prestige, the legendary coach, and gets the ratings. The Blue Devils also have a recent history of not performing well the the tournament. The reason is that Duke has not performed is because their recruiting is limited to those who academically qualify under the high standards of Duke University and want to play for the full four years. The result is they are well coached, rely on three pointers, and are out-talented by programs who do can recruit one year players with far lesser academic qualifications. They did have better statistics for offensive rebounding, but it is unclear if that is a product of their improvement or their conference being slightly below average this season.
Up Next: vs Purdue - Friday 9:57 PM


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Baylor Bears

Pre-tournament: 25-7 (12-6 Big XII)
2010 Tournament Wins: 68-59 vs Sam Houston St, 76-68 vs Old Dominion
NCAA Tournament History: 6th appearance, 5-7 record, 2 Final Fours, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: National Runner-up - 1948
University History: Founded in 1845
Notable Alumni: comedian Jeff Dunham, 49ers coach and NFL Hall of Famer Mike Singletary, sportscaster Trey Wingo
Basketball Venue: The Ferrell Center, opened 1988, capacity 10,347, gold plated dome roof weighs 175 tons
Their Story: In 2003 Baylor was rocked by the murder of a player at the hands of a former player. Dave Bliss, then head coach, was forced to resign after improper financial allegations and plans to blame it on the slain player. Into the situation stepped Scott Drew, son of Homer and brother of Bryce. You may remember the Drew family from the memorable Valparaiso NCAA tournament upset (see video below). Since then Drew has done an amazing turn-around. Now Baylor will play in the Houston regional, just a short drive from their campus in Waco.

Up Next: vs Saint Mary's - Friday 7:27 PM

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Purdue Boilermakers

Pre-tournament: 27-5 (15-5 Big Ten)
2010 Tournament Wins: 72-64 vs Siena, 63-61 vs Texas A&M
NCAA Tournament History: 24th appearance, 33-23 record, 2 Final Fours, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: National Runner-Up - 1969
University History: Founded in 1869
Notable Alumni: astronaut Neil Armstrong, Hall of Fame NFL QB Bob Griese, NFL QB Drew Brees
Basketball Venue: Mackey Arena, opened 1967, capacity 14,123, Keady Court is only court in the country named after a comb-over
Their Story: Purdue wasn't supposed to be here. They weren't supposed to score 11 points in the first half of the Big Ten semi-final vs Minnesota, but they did. They weren't supposed to get a 4-seed, but they did. They weren't supposed to beat Siena, but they did. Their season was supposed to be over when Robbie Hummel went down, but it wasn't.

Up Next: vs Duke - Friday 9:57 PM

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Saint Mary's Gaels

Pre-tournament: 26-5 (13-3) West Coast Conference Tournament Champions
2010 Tournament Wins: 80-71 vs Richmond, 75-68 vs Villanova
NCAA Tournament History: 6th appearance, 3-5 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: Sweet Sixteen - 2010
University History: Founded in 1863
Notable Alumni: MLB 3rd baseman Mark Teahan, Sr VP & GM of CNN.com K.C. Estenson, Poet Laureate of the U.S. Robert Haas (1995-97)
Basketball Venue: McKeon Pavilion, opened 1978, capacity 3,500, only student section with lots of Australian flags waving
Their Story: Saint Mary's has been a good team for a while now, but when they beat Gonzaga this year to win the WCC they earned a spot in the tournament. They are making their deepest run in the tournament, and easily the most lovable Cinderella of the tournament, because they play in such a small gym and have so many players to like. Omar Samhan, seriously, that's all you need.

Up Next: vs 

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3/22: Do You Know Your Sweet 16? Part 2 - WEST REGION

I've only got two losses in the bracket pool, look good for the next round, and am in it for the win.


That's what I'd be saying if the West region were a pool in and of itself. This bracket had an expected first round upset with Murray St knocking off Vanderbilt in the first round. This bracket had Xavier returning to their third consecutive Sweet 16 with a victory over the overachieving Pittsburgh Panthers. Other than that, this bracket was chalk. That's because this bracket played out like the entire bracket did last year, the experience and line up for this bracket would normally create huge ratings. The problem is most people are not as familiar with these teams, except Syracuse. That's a shame.


This bracket contains:
- A coach with 829 career wins.
- A team in the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year, one of only two teams this year with that distinction.
- A team that lost 7 times, but 3 of those times to #1 or #2 team in the polls.
- A team whose history includes the orange basketball and Hoosiers.




WEST REGION


Syracuse Orange





Pre-tournament: 28-4 (15-4 Big East) Big East Regular Season Champions
2010 Tournament Wins: 79-56 vs Vermont, 87-65 vs Gonzaga
NCAA Tournament History: 33rd appearance, 52-32 record, 4 Final Fours, 1 title
Deepest Tournament Run: National Championship - 2003
University History: Originated as Genessee Wesleyan Seminary
Notable Alumni: actor Peter Falk, sportscaster Bob Costas, sportscaster Mike Tirico, my high school friend a current "Two and a Half Men" stage assistant Dennis Jacobs
Basketball Venue: Carrier Dome, opened 1980, capacity 34,616, despite the name it does not have air conditioning
Their Story: Led only in wins by Coach K Jim Boeheim has put together a legendary career at Syracuse, one that has transformed a program into a powerhouse. They figure to win the talent aspect heavily, but it will all come down to a team being able to break their famous zone defense. Kansas St might be able to, but doubtful Butler can.Up Next: vs Butler - Thursday 7:07 PM


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Kansas State Wildcats

Pre-tournament: 26-7 (13-6 Big XII) 
2010 Tournament Wins: 82-62 vs North Texas, 84-72 vs BYU
NCAA Tournament History: 24th appearance, 30-27 record, 4 Final Fours, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: Final Four - 1948, 1951, 1958, 1964
University History: Founded as Kansas State Agricultural College in 1863
Notable Alumni: sportscaster Craig Bolerjack, actress Kirstie Alley, former Purdue coach Gene Keady, current UNLV coach Lon Krueger (also formerly of Florida, Illinois, & Atlanta-NBA)
Basketball Venue: Fred Bramlage Coliseum, opened 1988, capacity 12,528, known as "The Octagon of Doom"

Their Story: A few years ago Bob Huggins was the head coach at Kansas St and Michael Beasley was their star player. When both turned out to be one year visitors to Manhattan you had to think hard times might return. Instead Kansas St has shot into the college basketball landscape as potentially a power for years to come. No coach has a reputation for intensity quite like Frank Martin, whom I affectionately refer to as "Captain Crazy Eyes".Up Next: vs Xavier - Thursday 9:37 PM

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Butler Bulldogs

Pre-tournament: 28-4 (20-0 Horizon) Horizon League Regular Season and Tournament Champions
2010 Tournament Wins: 77-59 vs UTEP, 54-52 vs Murray St
NCAA Tournament History: 10th appearance, 10-9 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: Sweet 16 - 1962, 2003, 2007, 2010
University History: Originated as North Western Christian University in 1855.
Notable Alumni: Ohio St coach Thad Matta, Baylor coach Scott Drew, infamous cult leader Jim Jones
Basketball Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse, opened 1928, capacity 11,043, scene of Hoosiers and real life Milan High School championship that inspired the movie

Their Story: No place screams basketball history like Hinkle Fieldhouse, it's a trip back in time, and so is Butler basketball. They play an aggressive style of defense, as proven by Murray St battling for the ball instead of getting a final shot against the Bulldogs. They will need to be at the absolute top of their game to beat Syracuse.Up Next: vs Syracuse - Thursday 7:07 PM

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Xavier Musketeers

Pre-tournament: 24-8 (15-3)
2010 Tournament Wins: 65-54 vs Minnesota, 71-68 vs Pittsburgh
NCAA Tournament History: 21st appearance, 19-20 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: Elite Eight - 2004, 2008
University History: Originated as The Atheneaum in 1831
Notable Alumni: Hall of Fame pitcher and U.S. Senator Jim Bunning, U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner, NBA player David West
Basketball Venue: Cintas Center, opened 2000, capacity 10,050, EA Sports polled it 3rd toughest to play in 2009

Their Story: The last four Xavier coaches have left to go to other programs: Pete Gillen 1985-1994 went to Providence, Skip Prosser 1994-2001 went to Wake Forest, Thad Matta 2001-2004 went to Ohio State, and Sean Miller 2004-2009 went to Arizona. Those coaches went on to some success, but unlike most mid-major programs Xavier hasn't fallen off. They are one of the most reliable programs, even if their coaches leave every five years.Up Next: vs Kansas St - Thursday 9:37 PM

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3/21: Do You Know Your Sweet 16? Part 1 - EAST REGION

An absolutely tremendous weekend of the best post-season in sports leaves us with sixteen teams standing. They range from the true elite of college basketball tradition to the least known basketballs school in a basketball state to the Ivy League's champion. If you didn't know them before, now you will.


EAST REGION

Kentucky Wildcats





Pre-tournament: 32-2 (15-2 SEC) SEC Regular Season & Tournament Champions
2010 Tournament Wins: 100-71 vs East Tennessee St, 90-60 vs Wake Forest
NCAA Tournament History: 51st appearance, 102-45 record, 13 Final Fours, 7 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: National Champions - 1948, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1978, 1996, 1998
University History: Founded in 1865 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky
Notable Alumni: former MLB player Jim Leyritz, Oklahoma St basketball coach Travis Ford, former NBA coach Pat Riley, actress Ashley Judd
Basketball Venue: Rupp Arena, opened 1976, capacity: 23,500, largest arena in college basketball
Their story: In the first year under John Calipari the Wildcats are the most talented team in the field. Ultimately it would seem their greatest opposition would be inexperience and lack of discipline.
Up Next: vs Cornell - Thursday 9:57 PM


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West Virginia Mountaineers





Pre-tournament: 27-6 (16-5 Big East) Big East Tournament Champions
2010 Tournament Wins: 77-50 vs Morgan St, 68-59 vs Missouri
NCAA Tournament History: 23rd appearance, 22-22 record, 1 Final Four, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: National title game loss - 1959 vs California
University History: Founded in 1867 as the Agricultural College of West Virginia
Notable Alumni: actor Don Knotts, Terry & Tommy Bowden, head coach Bob Huggins, NBA legend Jerry West, Mike "Idiot Kicker" Vanderjagt
Basketball Venue: WVU Coliseum, opened 1970, capacity 14,000, first event hosted was Grand Funk Railroad concert
Their story: Just a few years removed from having their coach snuck out from underneath them by Michigan the Mountaineers are led by WVU alum Bob Huggins. The team is composed of NY area players, but is all Huggins with the defense they play.
Up Next: vs Washington - Thursday 7:27 PM


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Washington Huskies





Pre-tournament: 24-9 (14-7 Pac-10) Pac-10 Tournament Champions
2010 Tournament Wins: 80-78 vs Marquette, 82-64 vs New Mexico
NCAA Tournament History: 15th appearance, 17-15 record, 1 Final Four, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: Final Four - 1953
University History: Founded in 1861 as the Territorial University of Washington
Notable Alumni: Jeannette Rankin (first female elected to Congress), current coach Lorenzo Romar, former NFL QB Warren Moon
Basketball Venue: Bank of America Arena, opened 1927, capacity 10,000, hosted 1949 & 1952 Final Fours
Their story: Washington was only getting in the field with a Pac-10 Tournament title, and they got it. This team has all the talent for a tourney run, and Lorenzo Romar has done wonders getting them ready for the tourney.
Up Next: vs West Virginia - Thursday 7:27 PM


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Cornell University





Pre-tournament: 27-4 (13-1 Ivy League) Ivy League Champions (no tournament)
2010 Tournament Wins: 78-65 vs Temple, 87-69 vs Wisconsin
NCAA Tournament History: 5th appearance, 2-5 record, 0 Final Fours, 0 titles
Deepest Tournament Run: Sweet 16 - 2010
University History: Founded in 1865.
Notable Alumni: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, actor Christopher Reeve, Andy "Nard-Dog" Bernard Regional Director in Charge of Sales Dunder-Mifflin, Scranton PA
Basketball Venue: F.R. Newman Arena, opened 1990, capacity 4,472, contained highest total SAT score of the field.
Their story: Cornell took Kansas to the limit earlier this season and got noticed. Despite getting into the Top 25 this year, most still couldn't possibly expect the kind of run they're making now. They will lose if their 3-point shooting goes cold, it hasn't yet.
Up Next: vs Kentucky - Thursday 9:57 PM


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