[ATrain]

Ok, I know its WAY too early to be discussing this, that there is still A LOT of basketball (non-con and con) to be played, and A LOT can happen between now and then, but in the first bracketology we're a 13 seed playing California.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/bracketology

Any thoughts on this matchup? I see this game (though the chances of it happening are slimmer than my being struck down by Jerry's SUV) as very winnable.

[Sly Fox]

If we land a 12 or 13 seed, no matter who we are playing it is very winnable. There generally is a significant dropoff after Top-15 teams.

[krh44]

As long as we don't play a SEC team or Depaul I don't care who we play.

[thesportscritic]

Cal would be an interesting matchup. Joanne Boyle is the coach over there. she is the former head coach of the University of Richmond. LU has never beaten Joanne Boyle and Richmond while she was there.

[PAmedic]

Critic going to the archives for that one. Nicely done bro

[thesportscritic]

Critic going to the archives for that one. Nicely done bro

thank you. dont forget to tip me

[ATrain]

For your reading pleasure:

Editor's note: Charlie Creme will project the 2007 NCAA Tournament bracket right up to Selection Monday in March. This projection includes games through Dec. 10.




Bracketology in December is probably just plain crazy. The NCAA Tournament is still the lump of clay on the slab. Nobody's season has really been worked into shape.

But we do it because it's fun -- fun to project, fun to analyze even now and fun to discuss. And what's a better report card as most schools head to finals than a small glimpse at what could be the finished product?

Yet this bracket has to be examined a bit differently. In January and beyond, each projection is based on the premise, "If the season ended today …" However, since too few games have been played for any team to form a true résumé, this projection is still a combination of the preseason predictions and the snapshot of 10 to 12 games.

That's because there is so much we don't yet know. Yet, plenty has happened -- so here is a look at some of what we have discovered:

• Stanford and Kentucky aren't ready for prime time. The Cardinal were a preseason Final Four favorite but have gotten out of the gates very slowly at 4-3. Somehow, the chemistry didn't seem right. Perhaps last weekend's drubbing of Texas Tech will get Candice Wiggins & Co. back on track.

The expectations aren't quite as high in Lexington, but for the first time in a long time, there actually are expectations. It's just that 5-3 is not meeting those expectations. Sure, Indiana and Delaware are tournament-worthy clubs, but if Kentucky is really making a next step, those have to be wins. Then, the Wildcats weren't really competitive at Louisville. An opportunity to get that momentum back comes Jan. 6 at Ohio State. Kentucky has some time in between to build some consistency, a needed commodity once SEC play begins.

• The Big 12 still might not be ready for a complete bounce back. Yes, I have seven Big 12 teams in the first bracket projection of the season. And, yes, eight of the league's teams have three or fewer losses. But outside of Oklahoma and Baylor, it seems pretty clear that it's just about getting a bid rather than planning any March success.

Texas is too young and got smashed in its only test. The Longhorns just don't seem to have chemistry right now. Texas Tech moved into the Top 25 under some fanfare -- then lost two games. A win over UCLA only goes so far. Texas A&M has played below expectations, and Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas State are playing bubble ball right now. The Wildcats might be the one team to emerge as a threat to win a game or two in the NCAA Tournament, and Texas' talent could jell, but right now, it looks like a league closer to mediocre than exceptional.

• Three No. 1 seeds could come from the same league. Unlike the BCS-ruled world of college football, where many are of the absurd opinion that if you don't win your conference you can't play for a national championship, women's basketball allows its best teams, regardless of conference affiliation, to be placed at the top of the national scale. And as of today, an argument could be made the ACC boasts the country's top three teams in Maryland, North Carolina and Duke.

Maryland looks every bit the defending champion it is. The Tar Heels are demolishing people and were still much better than Tennessee despite not playing at a high level. And, did anyone really think Duke would look this good? Three solid teams didn't even look worthy to be scrimmaging with the Blue Devils this week.

• Enough good mid-majors exist that this finally could be the year the committee notices. Middle Tennessee beat Georgia. Hofstra beat Michigan State. Pepperdine beat Rutgers. Delaware beat Kentucky. That's certainly a good start, and with the depth in the Big 12 and Big Ten a bit suspect, the selection committee might finally have to go deeper in the pool for the best at-large candidates.

However, this is still a big wait-and-see. Remember, a 28-2 Bowling Green team still received only a No. 12 seed a year ago. The Falcons are right back in the Top 25 again this season. Keep an eye on the Colonial and Sun Belt, plus the fortunes of Hartford and Fresno State, to see if an at-large can come from an unusual place.

Some of the mid-major leagues might be undergoing some degree of change. The aforementioned Hofstra and Delaware have each looked better than perennial Colonial NCAA representative Old Dominion.

Louisiana Tech is the team the rest of the WAC seems to follow. Yet, the Lady Techsters are 2-7 and have been losing to more than just the nation's elite. Louisiana-Monroe? Eastern Kentucky? Stephen F. Austin?

Chattanooga should still win the Southern, but the Lady Mocs have looked more ragged at times in the nonconference season.

Liberty and Wisconsin-Green Bay are doing their best to remain comfortable in mid-major land.

• Tennessee vs. North Carolina would be a better game in March. On Dec. 3, the Lady Vols and Tar Heels engaged in a slopfest that at times was hard to watch. Given North Carolina's slew of veterans and the fact that Tennessee already had played at least six good teams, the game should have been more aesthetically pleasing. Both teams must perform better and will as the season moves forward. Let's hope we get another chance to see it, but hopefully not in the same region again. But … that's a conversation that should be reserved for March.

[ATrain]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/bracketol ... d=tab5pos2

In this latest bracketology, Mr. Creme has us as a 15-seed playing #2 Ohio State. "Single-Digit December losses to George Washington and Pittsburgh were good showings. Losses to Texas-Arlington and Marist were extremely disappointing, but the Flames are still the team to beat in the Big South." I personally think we can end up getting a 14-seed if we run the table in the Big South.

In other news, the ACC is projected to have only 4 teams in, but Duke, UNC and Maryland are all #1 seeds. The other team, Florida State is a 6 seed. Big 12 and SEC both have 8, and the only non-BCS conferences with more than 1-team are Mountain West and CAA.

[thesportscritic]

Creme probably would have us at a higher seed like 13 or maybe 12 if it weren't for those losses to Texas arlington and Marist. I agree with Creme at this point in terms of where we are currently seeding wise.

[krh44]

Now they have Radford winning the BSC


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/bracketology

[SuperJon]

The way Bracketology works is whoever has the best record for that week is who they put in there when it comes to one-bid conferences.

HPU was in it this week for the men's side because they had one more win than WU.

[thesportscritic]

Now they have Radford winning the BSC


http://sports.espn.go.com/ncw/bracketology

hopefully that will change in our favor by season's end.

[SuperJon]

We beat them and it changes to our favor next week.

[thesportscritic]

We beat them and it changes to our favor next week.

duh

[fsn32]

No reason to make this thread ugly too... everything doesn't have to be taken personally.

Remember, we are all on the same team

[thesportscritic]

No reason to make this thread ugly too... everything doesn't have to be taken personally.

Remember, we are all on the same team

ummm fsn32 i was being very sarcastic.

[fsn32]

That's why i said what I said.

[ATrain]

Here's the commentary: "Its rare to see any name here except Liberty. But the Highlanders are the last unbeaten team in Big South play."

[krh44]

But the Highlanders are the last unbeaten team in Big South play."

Hopefully not true after Saturday

[ATrain]

Yes, Saturday should hopefully change that