March Madness

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I have not followed college basketball this year as much as I have in the past, since I have the tendency to use up my sports viewing time on Cubs games and football on Sundays, I use the time between for other things. That being said, this year's tournament should be very interesting if its anything like the conference tournaments have been.

With the Big East upsets setting the pace for the remaining "BCS" Conferences, UofL has made their point for their first #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since they were both the #1 seed in the Big East Tournament, and are the only team standing as they look to face a hot Syracuse team tonight. This would be the Cardinals first #1 seed since the 80's, and their first Big East Championship ever...mostly because they just joined the Big East a few years ago.

Pitt and UConn, two other teams that pre-tournaments were discussed as #1 seeds are hanging on by a thread, thanks to upset losses. However, upsets have also helped them keep their dreams alive, as Baylor has laid waste to some Big 12 teams. The Big 12 Tournament has seen Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas all go down as they head into the championship game with the previously mentioned Baylor Bears looking to go dancing if they can get past Mizzou.

All that being said, here are my top #1 seeds, but then again I don't really have a say:

University of Louisville Cardinals- they should get the #1 overall seeding with a win over the Orange. The Big East was the beast of the NCAA, and has shown how deep the conference is with the previously mentioned upsets. One thing that may hold the Cards back, the double digit loss to Notre Dame. But, if the Cardinals can get the #1 overall seeding, it may lead to the biggest pre-Derby party the city has ever seen.

Memphis Tigers- They should pull out the win today against Tulsa. The #4 Tigers haven't suffered a loss since late December against the Orange (how do they pop up in every conversation?). The Tigers, usually my favorite to win it all, have always shown up big in the Tourney, but all ways seem to fall short in the end.

University of North Carolina Tar Heels- Led by arguably the best player in the nation, the Heels are always a threat. Hansbrough will be force to handle as I'm sure he'll want to go out on top. The Heels have only loss 3 games all year, all to conference foes. While they still have to make it, if they can win their conference tourney, they may not only get the #1 overall seed, but they will likely be the favorite to win it all.

UConn Huskies- While they have loss their last 2 games, 3 of their last six and all of their match-ups against Pitt, whose ranked higher, they have Syracuse to thank. The Orange, who took out West Virginia (who beat Pitt), took the Huskies into 6 overtimes before they pulled it out. With the strong showing from the Orange, the Huskies don't look so bad.

Of course Michigan State and Duke are also good choices for the final #1 seed, they are going to have to show alot to the people who matter, and even then, it still maybe a stretch. I think of the two, the Spartans have a better chance at finding their way into that fourth spot, but they are going to have to win big in their next two games. The Dukies have a slim shot, but the depth of the Big East on top of their 2 losses to UNC leave them grasping at straws.