Order Restored: Women's NCAA Bracket Announcement Comment Thread
TV: ESPN
Internet: ESPN360
Ok, so the men's bracket hasn't impressed people quite as much as the NCAA might have hoped. But tonight, the women's side of the house has a very easy chance to show up their counterparts by assembling what should be a relatively noncontroversial bracket for the gals. Things to expect:
The four #1 seeds and locations:
These have basically been unchanged for weeks, ever since Notre Dame went on a bit of a downslide to fall behind Tennessee. The top four ranked teams are well above #5 in terms of wins/losses and RPI, and are clearly above the rest of the field. The NCAA has a golden opportunity to place all four #1 teams in travel-friendly regions as well:
- UConn to Dayton
- Stanford to Sacramento
- Tennessee to Memphis
- Nebraska to Kansas City
Can it be any easier? The only real concern will be which #1 team is on the same side of the overall bracket as UConn.
Stanford should be the second-best #1 seed and therefore on the opposing side from UConn. They beat Tennessee, and their only loss was a roadie to UConn immediately after that Tennessee game. UT and Stanford are 2 and 3 in RPI, respectively, but the head-to-head should dictate this one. Next is Tennessee/Nebraska. NU lost only one game - in the Big12 tourney to a very good Texas A&M team. Their RPI, however, is 5th and their strength of schedule is 31st (in contrast to Tennessee's, which is 7th). Tennessee is the deeper team in terms of talent and can better withstand a poor game from a top player, while NU is sunk if Kelsey Griffin has a bad day. While neither team could really complain if they're on UConn's side of the fence, Tennessee will likely get the pass on the Final Four match and only have to worry about UConn in the last game.
Beyond the Number Ones
After those four, things become far less clear-cut. Charlie Creme's bracket for ESPN, however, does provide a good baseline. And I really like how his projections fall out for Tennessee. The SEC team in the far side of their 16 is Georgia - the one team that Tennessee would really like to play again. The 4/5 matchup would be either St. John's or Iowa State. ISU could be a concern, but I don't think either team has the horses to run with UT if the Ladies play well. The number two seed is listed as Duke (very likely, considering that Ohio State will likely go to Dayton), and Tennessee would love to make up for last year's home loss against Duke during the regular season. In short, Creme's bracket has no pitfalls and would be up to Tennessee to win or lose.
We'll see if there are any oddballs after that. In the meantime, feel free to discuss both brackets tonight (yes, including more venting of the men's side) here.
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I was wondering about that as well
They also talked for ten minutes without giving any info. They probably won’t seed the final four until the end, since that’s the only reason anyone is watching.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 15, 2010 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
At this point I wouldn't be suprised if Tennessee ended up in Sacramento......
Although I know they won’t since TBA is hosting 1st and 2nd, but still, wouldn’t put it past the BCS ESPN Lane Kiffin Urbies selection committee.
"I condone fun things" ~~ Cortland Finnegan
I think 360 has a massive delay.
So far, I have Stanford in Sacramento. Iowa and Rutgers as the 8/9.
Yes, Stanford to Sactown....good news there
Cannons... fire them.
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360 just restarted their broadcast, for whatever reason
Did we figure out whether we’re 3 or 4?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 15, 2010 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Stanford's bracket against Okie State.
They’re the #13.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
So we have in this tournament
ETSU, UTC, UT, MTSU. Memphis isn’t going to make it, are they?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 15, 2010 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Not that I know of.
That’d have been awesome though. Oh, and count Vandy.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Forgot about them
For obvious reasons. :-)
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 15, 2010 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Texas A&M in Stanford's bracket.
I wouldn’t have minded having them. Even after they beat Nebraska and Oklahoma.
I think that they're just going to be slow and not say which #1 seed is which until the end
Thus, I’m going to go make some dinner and see how Winterhook is at warming things up on a cold, rainy day.
Let me know what happens.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 15, 2010 7:16 PM EDT reply actions
I agree with Lobo. Vandy's a potential danger to top seeds.
I was most worried about them int he tourney.
UCLA/NCState the 8/9
Michigan St. and Bowling Green as 5/12. (Do we still hate Bowling Green – even in women’s basketball?)
Kentucky as the #4 here. They dodged UConn.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, crap.
If the graphic is a forecast, the Dayton and Memphis regionals are in the same half. They want the UConn-Tennessee matchup to open the Final Four.
yep, they are hoping
to get UConn UT then UConn Nebraska… guess we’ll have to be spoilers
by VolfanatETSU on Mar 15, 2010 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Or UConn-Stanford.
I just think they didn’t want Stanford-UT as a F4 game since they’ve already played once.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
After commercial, they'll announce UT in the Memphis region.
I want to who the #8, #4/5, and #2 are in that side.
Yup, there we go.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Georgetown as the 5.
UT has an opportunity to go 2-0 against Georgetown in the postseason.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Baylor as the 4!
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Oh, boy.
I don’t know if I want the rematch or Georgetown.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Georgetown is going to be way easier.
But I want Cain to open up school again.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
And Brewer is far better now than before.
That will only help.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not going to spoil the UT bio.
But my favorite part of it wasn’t Cain.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Bingo.
I just keep seeing her potential; when she harnesses her offensive gifts she can easily average 20.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Friggin' SDSU.
11 in our bracket, again.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Duke is your 2.
WVU is your 3.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
Is their basketball arena like
their football stadium their library?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh.
Yes, actually. They built it with waaaay too many seats, and the upper deck is routinely empty.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
LSU is the other SEC team in the UT bracket.
UT, Vandy, LSU, Georgia, Kentucky. Did I miss anybody so far?
I don't think so; who else has a shot?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
So: can I say it yet?
[it’s a comment about UConn’s win streak]
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
The rest of the cast is going to be a UConn love-in.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Too early to drop a line on the streak though, right?
Yes, I’m concerned about the jinx.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, go for it.
Ohio State is also in their region. That’s probably the one team with a shot at them.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Fine.
Congrats in advance to UConn on their 76-game win streak.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, I can see Gino holding his breath and stamping until he gets enough calls to pull them through, if nothing else.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
How would that compare to, say,
The Miracle on Ice?
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 15, 2010 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty close.
Both are facing professionals.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Right down to the payouts.
::cough::
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions
So we'd have to play UConn in the semis?
Well, probably a better chance of Nebraska taking care of Stanford for us than them taking down UConn. Oh well.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 15, 2010 7:42 PM EDT reply actions
Yup.
They haven’t announced it yet, but that’s the way their fancy graphic portrays things.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, expectations.
Men: “Man, SDSU is going to be tough. I’m not sure if we can make it by them.”
Women: “So, UConn in the Final Four?”
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
I know what you mean
I was talking about it earlier with worries
Men (after a poor game vs. Arkansas): This performance won’t win a game in the NCAA tournament
Women (after a poor game vs. Kentucky): This performance won’t make it past the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 15, 2010 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty much.
Hmm. I wonder if students can get discounts on tickets this weekend. I’m thinking not. :(
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Mississippi State makes it; Ole Miss and Florida don't.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
3 in Stanford's bracket, apparently.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Sooooooooooooo
Would a UT loss to Baylor be worth it if we get to see Griner punch Auriemma??
"I condone fun things" ~~ Cortland Finnegan
Can she pull a reverse Artest instead?
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Absolutely
Cannons... fire them.
Buc'Em - SBNation's home for discussion of all things regarding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This ought to be interesting.
An inside peek in the women’s selection process.
Moderator: Ok, let’s not screw this up like the men’s committee did, ok? Ok.
HOLY COW
Her hair came straight from Soviet Russia, as a hat.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I still can't get over her hair.
What a fortress.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
hahaha
I didn’t even see it, but that comment is hilarious
"I condone fun things" ~~ Cortland Finnegan
If you watch the 360 replay, she talks for the final couple minutes or so.
And yes. Helmet of Invincibility.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions
In short, they put Nebraska ahead of UT because they had only one loss vice two.
That’s the only resume item in Nebraska’s favor.
At least we're on the right line this time.
Baby steps.
Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 15, 2010 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah.
I’m not upset, really. I can argue the order either way just fine.
by David Hooper on Mar 15, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Alright
First time I’ve posted since the Kentucky Debacle, and here’s what I will say:
I know we got screwed over, but honestly, did any team get screwed over more than Mississippi State not making it and Florida making it?
Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!

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