Some Bracketology Thoughts.

[Kibitzer]

As of now (could change), there appear to be three bona fide #1 seeds for the Big Dance: Baylor, Notre Dame, and UConn (listed alphabetically for convenience). Stanford and Duke are less certain.

If I were CBS/ESPN/NCAA (they are all in cahoots), here is what I would be thinking (or plotting/scheming):

Seed UConn #1 in the East, Notre Dame #1 in the Midwest , and Stanford in the West. Then find a fourth #1 from anywhere in the lower 48 and plunk them into the remaining region, by whatever name. Whom do I want for that precious fourth #1 spot?

I would fervently hope and pray that Holly Warlick works a miracle and snags that fourth #1 seed. It's a long shot, to be sure but, going down the stretch, they may build enough credibility (and sentiment) to overcome the current cast of great pretenders: Kentucky, Cal, Maryland, Penn State, and the aforementioned Duke and Stanford.

There are all sorts of delicious made-for-TV semi-final and championship games, all involving UConn -- vs. any of the other three.

If I am CBS/ESPN/NCAA, I would be drooling. (I would also deny entry visas to Connecticut for Dee Kantner and Bonita Spence for the duration of the season.)

 

[rjp172]

You totally just skipped over Baylor. That other #1 seed from the lower 48 would probably been the currently ranked #1 and defending champion.

 

[Kibitzer]

You totally just skipped over Baylor. That other #1 seed from the lower 48 would probably been the currently ranked #1 and defending champion.

OOPS! An egregious screwup by me! Good catch by you. Sorry.

I MEANT to cite Baylor in the West and, if you read on, you can see that was my intent: Baylor West, ND Midwest, and UConn East. Plus another TBA.

 

[easttexastrash]

OOPS! An egregious screwup by me! Good catch by you. Sorry.

I MEANT to cite Baylor in the West and, if you read on, you can see that was my intent: Baylor West, ND Midwest, and UConn East. Plus another TBA.

Can't we remain and underdog and a dark horse?

 

[Vowelguy]

The regions are
Bridgeport, Norfolk VA, Oklahoma City, and Spokane (the women don't use the East/Midwest/ designations anymore).

Baylor will be in Okla City.

 

[easttexastrash]

The regions are
Bridgeport, Norfolk VA, Oklahoma City, and Spokane (the women don't use the East/Midwest/ designations anymore).

Baylor will be in Okla City.

Agreed. They will be playing in familiar surroundings.

It will be very interesting to see if Baylor lands in College Station for the first and second rounds. Will the committee want TAMU to have to play Baylor in the second round of the tournament? I am hoping that they send Baylor to Colorado to play in Boulder.

 

[Vowelguy]

Agreed. They will be playing in familiar surroundings.

It will be very interesting to see if Baylor lands in College Station for the first and second rounds. Will the committee want TAMU to have to play Baylor in the second round of the tournament? I am hoping that they send Baylor to Colorado to play in Boulder.

Baylor is a host.

 

[easttexastrash]

Baylor is a host.

LOL...then I guess Baylor will not be playing at TAMU.

 

[avolfan]

I am not sure ND is a lock for a no. 1 seed. If Tenn were to upset them tonite, then they could get losses to UConn and UT could overtake them in the ratings.

 

[Kibitzer]

The regions are
Bridgeport, Norfolk VA, Oklahoma City, and Spokane

Thus, barring the unforeseen, UConn to Bridgeport, Baylor to Oklahoma City, ND to Norfolk, and ??? to Spokane.

??? could be any one of several contenders and the decision will be largely based on games like the one tonight, ND vs. Tennessee.

I am insufficiently diligent to go through all the schedules of all the teams who have a shot at that fourth #1 seed but I persist in my belief that the selectors would like nothing more than the prospect of UConn playing big TV games vs. either Baylor, Notre Dame or (!) Tennessee. Those are the games that will drive the ratings up nationally.

 

[semper]

I'd like to see UTENN as the no. 2 seed in the Bridgeport area!

 

[RadyLady]

I am not sure ND is a lock for a no. 1 seed. If Tenn were to upset them tonite, then they could get losses to UConn and UT could overtake them in the ratings.

tantalizing....but a long shot I think....ND is likely a lock on a #1 seed.

 

[UcMiami]

Not sure about ND being a lock. If they win tonight (and I expect they will, but ... USF took them to OT didn't they?) and win out against all but Uconn, then I think they are a lock. If they lose tonight, and lose one to Uconn, they open the door.
Not sure about Uconn being a lock - if they lose to Baylor and god forbid twice more to ND then it would open the door.
Who could push through - Stanford, Duke, PSU, Kentucky or TN if any of them win out. Even MD might if they won out.

 

[jsloanjr]

This might be the best regional semi and Finals this year.....I think is getting better than people think. It took Holly half a season to get the Pat Summit out of them and input her systems and attitude........look out the LadyVols are moving up and maybe, Bridgeport and UCONN awaits...........OMG!!!

 

[Kibitzer]

Not sure about ND being a lock. If they win tonight (and I expect they will, but ... USF took them to OT didn't they?) and win out against all but Uconn, then I think they are a lock. If they lose tonight, and lose one to Uconn, they open the door.
Not sure about Uconn being a lock - if they lose to Baylor and god forbid twice more to ND then it would open the door.
Who could push through - Stanford, Duke, PSU, Kentucky or TN if any of them win out. Even MD might if they won out.

The first five words of the OP were: "As of now (could change). . . ."

The word "lock" does NOT appear. Purely mid-season speculation of many works in progress. Or regress.

 

[baylorprof]

TV wants a BU vs. UCONN final (did last year as well but you guys hiccupped one game short). Geno vs. Kim; traditional power (UCONN) vs. current power (BU); now sure how to pit Griner vs. ? since you guys win without a singular superstar. But make no doubt, we WILL be bracketed on opposite sides.

We'll struggle for an identity next year; you guys have talent to waste so you should get back in to a 3-4 year run as #1. And there are no real superstars on the horizon at the typical Final Four teams (maybe Ogwumuke). So this may be the last year for a while for the TV matchup that can be primed to the hilt.

UCONN going after the banner that ties with Tennessee and the whole Geno package with it
vs.
BU/Griner going after back to back to become the only team other than you guys and UCONN ever to win more than twice PLUS all the publicity appeal of a KMulkey in her prime.

Only serious injuries to key players or a set of stripes who don't belong will stop this matchup this year. Can't wait.

And if you like conspiracy theories--this matchup will be played in one of the smallest venues in recent memory, forcing most fans of UCONN and BU to stay home to watch on the tube

 

[OneTrickPony]

Can't we remain and underdog and a dark horse?

If you lose to UCONN in February...possible!

 

[OneTrickPony]

Thus, barring the unforeseen, UConn to Bridgeport, Baylor to Oklahoma City, ND to Norfolk, and ??? to Spokane.

??? could be any one of several contenders and the decision will be largely based on games like the one tonight, ND vs. Tennessee.

I am insufficiently diligent to go through all the schedules of all the teams who have a shot at that fourth #1 seed but I persist in my belief that the selectors would like nothing more than the prospect of UConn playing big TV games vs. either Baylor, Notre Dame or (!) Tennessee. Those are the games that will drive the ratings up nationally.

I think Tennessee only has one game with Kentucky for ranked competition...

 

[UcMiami]

The first five words of the OP were: "As of now (could change). . . ."

The word "lock" does NOT appear. Purely mid-season speculation of many works in progress. Or regress.

Sorry Kib - 'lock' is clearly my term and you were careful to preface everything with 'current' status.
And I would say at this point barring some crazy stumbles Baylor and ND (with last nights win) have locked up #1 seeds. Uconn isn't far behind, but I think they have to beat ND at least once to be 'locked in.'

 

[Zorro]

OOPS! An egregious screwup by me! Good catch by you. Sorry.

I MEANT to cite Baylor in the West and, if you read on, you can see that was my intent: Baylor West, ND Midwest, and UConn East. Plus another TBA.

Not to worry, Kibs, we are all getting up there.