My only real criticisms with the bracket are:

 

1. IU is at worst a 4 seed. To give them a 5 is a joke.

 

2. How in the world did Tulsa get in? They're a really poor basketball team.

 

3. The regions just seemed out of whack. KU as the #1 overall seed should be in Chicago and the Midwest, right?

 

4. Texas A&M as a 3 seed. That's saying the committee thinks A&M is one of the best 12 teams in the country, which makes me wonder if they were drunk making the brackets..

 

I feel bad for Indiana and North Carolina. Congratulations, you get to face Kentucky now.

That line of thinking all but insures a mid major or small conference team has no chance of securing an at large since no matter how great they look during conference play, the teams they're playing each night aren't very good. You play an entire season to compile a resume which can be compared to other resumes.

 

Kentucky has beaten 3 tournament teams this year plus Louisville. Two out of those four teams were splits, so out of tournament-caliber teams they proved to be without question better on that given day twice all season. One of those splits was also against Vanderbilt who many expected to not make the field. They have losses to three teams who finished a combined 41-56 plus an average at best Ohio State.

 

The eye test says they are playing some strong basketball at the right time of the year, and this year has been full of upsets, but they have a fairly flawed resume. It looks to me like one of a 4 or 5 seed, even though they're currently playing like a 2 or 3.

 

I agree with some of your post, especially about mid-major schools, but I still have issues with the way they do this every year.

The committee chair was interviewed last night on ESPN and he was asked why UK was seeded 4 and A&M was seeded 3 even though UK had just beaten them in the SEC title game. His answer was UK had lost to 5 teams not in the field. Well, that doesn't jive because in turns out on review that A&M had also lost to 5 teams not in the field. He sounded nervous giving his answer, stammering and hesitating as he replied.

Also, don't they consider injuries to key players during losses. Ulis probably shouldn't have even played at UCLA and maybe not against Ohio State due to his hyperextended elbow. He played but was definitely far below his efficiency level. And Alex didn't even play in the overtime loss at A&M. His muscle would have been handy for that physical game. Willis' absence was a big factor in the loss at Vandy because he stretches defenses with his outside game and doesn't allow them to pack the middle. He makes the guards jobs a lot easier. Also, Hawkins has missed a chunk of the season with injuries.

 

I think the committee didn't do their best by far yesterday. And some biases showed up as well. I mean, Lanardi said Tulsa was one if the worst at large picks in 20 years, that at least 6 teams had better resumes. Wonder how they got in? Could the Chair of the committee being an Oklahoma fellow have anything to do with it?

My only real criticisms with the bracket are:

 

1. IU is at worst a 4 seed. To give them a 5 is a joke.

 

2. How in the world did Tulsa get in? They're a really poor basketball team.

 

3. The regions just seemed out of whack. KU as the #1 overall seed should be in Chicago and the Midwest, right?

 

4. Texas A&M as a 3 seed. That's saying the committee thinks A&M is one of the best 12 teams in the country, which makes me wonder if they were drunk making the brackets..

 

This may be wrong but I think Louisville is closer to Lawrence than Chicago? If so it isn't much.

This may be wrong but I think Louisville is closer to Lawrence than Chicago? If so it isn't much.

 

So I just looked it up....It's 545 miles from Lawrence to Louisville and 548 miles to Chicago. I guess they just flipped a coin...:idunno:

I feel bad for Indiana and Kentucky. Congratulations, you get to face North Carolina now.

 

Fixed that for ya. :thumb:

Fixed that for ya. :thumb:

 

Mark it down...Roy Williams isn't excited to play a ticked off Kentucky team. There's a reason why Kentucky is the 4th favorite to win the whole thing in Vegas.

Mark it down...Roy Williams isn't excited to play a ticked off Kentucky team. There's a reason why Kentucky is the 4th favorite to win the whole thing in Vegas.

 

No coach in that bracket is excited to face any of those teams. It's a gauntlet. However, I don't see Ol Roy being too worried with Kentucky if they stick to their game plan of playing inside because let's be honest, UK has no answer in the paint for Johnson, Meeks and Hicks. This is one match up I want to happen.

No coach in that bracket is excited to face any of those teams. It's a gauntlet. However, I don't see Ol Roy being too worried with Kentucky if they stick to their game plan of playing inside because let's be honest, UK has no answer in the paint for Johnson, Meeks and Hicks. This is one match up I want to happen.

 

Let's table this discussion for a week. We need to make sure that both teams get past the first 2 games first.

Let's table this discussion for a week. We need to make sure that both teams get past the first 2 games first.

 

Good idea. The UK/IU and UNC/Providence potential match ups won't be gimmies.

When was the last time UK had a favorable bracket?

 

Would you all stop... My goodness. :lol2:

When was the last time UK had a favorable bracket?

 

2015. Couldn't complain about 2014 either.

So I just looked it up....It's 545 miles from Lawrence to Louisville and 548 miles to Chicago. I guess they just flipped a coin...:idunno:

It isn't just about Lawrence. Kansas has a decent mid-western appeal beyond Lawrence. UVA and their followers are most certainly closer to Louisville than Chicago.

 

In fairness, it is kind of a goofy setup having Louisville and Chicago being in relative close proximity to one another.

As with most seasons, the West is reserved for the forgotten and seemingly easiest path. You can make a legit argument that the top 4 seeds in the west are the worst 4 top seeds of the tournament. Happens every year. I was crossing my fingers UK would be sent that direction.

 

I am so over the regional seeding.

Edited March 14, 201610 yr by bugatti

It isn't just about Lawrence. Kansas has a decent mid-western appeal beyond Lawrence. UVA and their followers are most certainly closer to Louisville than Chicago.

 

In fairness, it is kind of a goofy setup having Louisville and Chicago being in relative close proximity to one another.

 

Good point. Geographically, Kansas might be closer to Louisville, but culturally I'd link it more to Chicago.

Having IU as a 5 seed is almost as stupid as UK having a 4 seed. There is no reasons of them to play in the second round. If you win the BIG that should mean something. Same thing with UK winning a share of the SEC and SEC tourney.