Creme/ESPN Bracketology 3/10

[JoePgh]

The latest ESPN / Charlie Creme bracketology is now published. I won't attempt to link it since it is easily found at the ESPN site. Some highlights:

• Stanford has now displaced UConn as the overall #1 seed (predictably).
• UConn is the #2 overall, in a bracket with Baylor, Indiana, Tennesee, and Gonzaga. So UConn's Sweet 16 and Elite 8 opponents (if the seeds hold) would be Tennessee and Baylor.
• From the Big East, Marquette and DePaul have made the dance as a #8 and #11 seed, both in Stanford's bracket. So Marquette should face Stanford in the second round, which will give an early preview of how UConn and Stanford fare against a common opponent. I find it interesting that both of the BE's "other" entrants are in the same bracket. Seton Hall is in the "next four out".
• From the AAC (remember them?), South Florida and UCF have made Creme's version of the dance, as #6 and #11 seeds respectively.
• He has South Carolina as a #1 seed and NC State as a #2 seed in the same bracket, which means they will be expected to face each other in the Elite 8.
• Texas A&M appears to be the 4th overall seed, below South Carolina. In this version of the brackets, UConn and TAMU would see each other in the National Semifinals if they both get that far.
• The Big Ten conference tournament is still in progress, so there could be some movement as a result of that, but I doubt if it would disturb anything discussed above.

 

[Plebe]

Texas A&M appears to be the 4th overall seed, below South Carolina. In this version of the brackets, UConn and TAMU would see each other in the National Semifinals if they both get that far

If he has TAMU slated to meet UConn in the national semifinal, that means TAMU is his projected overall #3.

 

[GoingPostal]

There's an interesting game in the first round of the Alamo bracket. #6 South Florida against #11 DePaul. Although it's just one game it's a chance to gauge the merits of the AAC vs. the BE.

 

[Ozimoto]

Well, I look at it this way. If the Huskies don't get the overall #1 seed they will have some locker room wall material. Can't have too much motivation.

 

[chrissaran]

If he has TAMU slated to meet UConn in the national semifinal, that means TAMU is his projected overall #3.

There's an interesting game in the first round of the Alamo bracket. #6 South Florida against #11 DePaul. Although it's just one game it's a chance to gauge the merits of the AAC vs. the BE.

USF and DePaul have not played well of late. Actually, they've both played very poorly.

 

[Plebe]

There's an interesting game in the first round of the Alamo bracket. #6 South Florida against #11 DePaul. Although it's just one game it's a chance to gauge the merits of the AAC vs. the BE.

Or, guarding against the tendency to over-read, maybe it's a chance to gauge the relative merits of DePaul and South Florida on their game day, simply.

 

[eebmg]

I would have liked seeing Louisville rather than Baylor for the Hailey Van Lith / Paige matchup

 

[JordyG]

Well, I look at it this way. If the Huskies don't get the overall #1 seed they will have some locker room wall material. Can't have too much motivation.

Geno has never played up seeding or given it much importance and he's not about to start now

 

[triaddukefan]

There's an interesting game in the first round of the Alamo bracket. #6 South Florida against #11 DePaul.

 

[JordyG]

There's an interesting game in the first round of the Alamo bracket. #6 South Florida against #11 DePaul. Although it's just one game it's a chance to gauge the merits of the AAC vs. the BE.

After SF darn near wetting the bed against Wichita State I like DePaul's chances there.

 

[AmeriConn]

I don’t know much about how Bracketology works, but what makes Charlie Creme the guru before the selection committee actually makes their picks?

 

[Plebe]

After SF darn near wetting the bed against Wichita State I like DePaul's chances there.

DePaul lost to Butler, which is much worse than almost losing to WSU.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Rats. We've lost the chance to re-face Arkansas.

 

[Longtime fan]

The latest ESPN / Charlie Creme bracketology is now published. I won't attempt to link it since it is easily found at the ESPN site. Some highlights:

• Stanford has now displaced UConn as the overall #1 seed (predictably).
• UConn is the #2 overall, in a bracket with Baylor, Indiana, Tennesee, and Gonzaga. So UConn's Sweet 16 and Elite 8 opponents (if the seeds hold) would be Tennessee and Baylor.
• From the Big East, Marquette and DePaul have made the dance as a #8 and #11 seed, both in Stanford's bracket. So Marquette should face Stanford in the second round, which will give an early preview of how UConn and Stanford fare against a common opponent. I find it interesting that both of the BE's "other" entrants are in the same bracket. Seton Hall is in the "next four out".
• From the AAC (remember them?), South Florida and UCF have made Creme's version of the dance, as #6 and #11 seeds respectively.
• He has South Carolina as a #1 seed and NC State as a #2 seed in the same bracket, which means they will be expected to face each other in the Elite 8.
• Texas A&M appears to be the 4th overall seed, below South Carolina. In this version of the brackets, UConn and TAMU would see each other in the National Semifinals if they both get that far.
• The Big Ten conference tournament is still in progress, so there could be some movement as a result of that, but I doubt if it would disturb anything discussed above.

Is no one giving Maryland a shot at a number one ranking, even if they win the Big Ten tourney? They have had a bunch of highly rated recruiting classes, and are always very good. I haven't followed them this year.

 

[browns]

If Uconn gets the #1 seed and all seeds hold it looks like they would play L'ville..I think Uconn would have little problem beating them..but if they are # 2 and face Baylor that is a really interesting game.Baylor has probably the best defense in the nation but Uconn is a close 2nd..plus DIDi Richards(the reigning DPOY) would guard Paige..she's 6'1" and long..CW and others would have to step up..Baylor is not a great offensive team but Nalyssa Smith is great.Last year Uconn had no answer for her mayb this year AE would be that answer

 

[eebmg]

Is no one giving Maryland a shot at a number one ranking, even if they win the Big Ten tourney? They have had a bunch of highly rated recruiting classes, and are always very good. I haven't followed them this year.

MD is a very dangerous offensively gifted and balanced team that can play enough defense in spurts to blow people out., They most definitely are in the mix for the NC

 

[jaydee602]

I don’t know much about how Bracketology works, but what makes Charlie Creme the guru before the selection committee actually makes their picks?

Charlie bases his bracketology on the selection committee's latest reveal. His original brackets are usually different than the committee's selections & he has been known to criticize them. But he revises them based on the Committtee's most recent patterns.

 

[Ozimoto]

Geno has never played up seeding or given it much importance and he's not about to start now

Geno may not, but not sure the girls won't.

 

[Plebe]

I don’t know much about how Bracketology works, but what makes Charlie Creme the guru before the selection committee actually makes their picks?

Nothing, other than the fact that he's making predictions, a media outlet is posting his predictions, and people like you and me are reacting to and discussing his predictions.

Why do people get so wigged out about this? Predictions have been an integral part of sports journalism for as long as I remember. The only difference with "bracketology" is that people like Lunardi, Palm and Creme are predicting brackets instead of game results or final team standings. It's just a conversation starter.

 

[jaydee602]

MD is a very dangerous offensively gifted and balanced team that an play enough defense in spurts to blow people out., The most definitely are in the mi for the NC

Is no one giving Maryland a shot at a number one ranking, even if they win the Big Ten tourney? They have had a bunch of highly rated recruiting classes, and are always very good. I haven't followed them this year.

Maryland is DEFINITELY in the running for a National Championship. Like Baylor, they were blocked from a #1 seed by South Carolina & NC State winning their Tournaments. There is an argument that Texas A&M should be penalized for losing, but NC State would have replaced them on the #1 line.

 

[eebmg]

Geno may not, but not sure the girls won't.

I hope our team handles the Tournament with tunnel vision and does not use emotions such as being slighted etc. Respect every opponent, take all comers with confidence and joy and play up to your potential.

 

[darkstar1]

Is no one giving Maryland a shot at a number one ranking, even if they win the Big Ten tourney? They have had a bunch of highly rated recruiting classes, and are always very good. I haven't followed them this year.

No shot. Big 10 way overrated this year. Maryland looks tough, but I can’t see them displacing any of the top 5, much less 4.

 

[GoingPostal]

Rats. We've lost the chance to re-face Arkansas.

This is Creme's bracket. Maybe the actual committee will give us another chance.

 

[GoingPostal]

Or, guarding against the tendency to over-read, maybe it's a chance to gauge the relative merits of DePaul and South Florida on their game day, simply.

True enough.

 

[MD#12Fan]

I don’t know much about how Bracketology works, but what makes Charlie Creme the guru before the selection committee actually makes their picks?

Like being famous for being famous. I relate it to Mel Kiper, Jr. He's from the Baltimore area. I always think of him as the unemployed 35 year old "step-brother" living in Mom's basement, studying college football players for the draft. Somehow his expertise becomes known, he gets a job with ESPN, and his hair goes on national TV.
Could have been us!

 

[azfan]

Kitties from Tucson are in South Carolina's region. Barring upset they'd have an opportunity to show their stuff against either North Carolina State or Iowa if the Hawkeyes could pull a Bunky Hackleroad. If Clark could lead her team past NC State I'd love to watch McDonald chase her around. Although come to think of it maybe Barnes would have Thomas try to slow down Clark. Wonder if Clark would exceed her season average against McDonald and company.

 

[azfan]

Creme has the WAC champ playing Stanford. Would that suggest Creme views the WAC rep as the weakest in the field?

The Lopes from Grand Canyon have an outside chance for the honor of playing Stanford if they can beat Utah Valley State tomorrow and then hope three's the charm against Cal Baptist.

 

[Vowelguy]

Is no one giving Maryland a shot at a number one ranking, even if they win the Big Ten tourney? They have had a bunch of highly rated recruiting classes, and are always very good. I haven't followed them this year.

Maryland would get a 1 if it could rack up a bunch of high quality wins but the big 10 isn’t deep enough. At best they’d beat 5/6 seed Michigan and then Indiana or Rutgers. Not enough to overtake NC St which has 2 wins over Louisville and 1 over SC, or SC after winning SECT.

 

[azfan]

Creme must have updated prior to the Mountain West final. So assuming Fresno State would slide in where he has New Mexico there would be a very interesting second round game between Gonzaga and the Bulldogs, assuming Haley and Hannah could defeat Harper and company. Twins all over the court.

 

[Vowelguy]

Creme has the WAC champ playing Stanford. Would that suggest Creme views the WAC rep as the weakest in the field?

The Lopes from Grand Canyon have an outside chance for the honor of playing Stanford if they can beat Utah Valley State tomorrow and then hope three's the charm against Cal Baptist.

Yes. Weak conference. And the clear best team in the league won’t make it.
If there’s an upset in one of the other low leagues (swac meac patriot etc) then that team could take over #64.