March Madness Has Begun!

Gonzaga is #1. Conference leads are changing hands (Texas Southern, Mercer, Princeton, St. Louis, and Creighton are now in place for auto-bids). And we've started discuss what loses are worse than others. (Honestly, no loss is a good loss, but the worst one this year HAS to be kansas losing to TCU)

On to the seedings...

1: Duke v. 16: Texas Southern or Charleston Southern
2: Syracuse v. 15: Long Beach State
3: Ohio State v. 14: South Dakota State
4: Georgetown v. 13: Akron
5: Arizona v. 12: Virginia or Southern Miss
6: St. Louis v. 11: Middle Tennessee
7: Oklahoma v. 10: Notre Dame
8: Colorado v. 9: Missouri

1: Indiana v. 16: Northeastern or Norfolk State
2: Michigan State v. 15: Niagara
3: Gonzaga v. 14: Stony Brook
4: Wisconsin v. 13: Bucknell
5: Pittsburgh v. 12: Boise State or La Salle
6: UNLV v. 11: Kentucky
7: UCLA v. 10: St. Mary's
8: Connecticut v. 9: NC State

1: Louisville v. 16: Montana
2: Miami (FL) v. 15: Stephen F Austin
3: Michigan v. 14: Princeton
4: Minnesota v. 13: Louisiana Tech
5: North Carolina v. 12: Villanova
6: VCU v. 11: Cincinnati
7: San Diego State v. 10: Creighton
8: Memphis v. 9: California

1: Kansas v. 16: Mercer
2: Florida v. 15: Robert Morris
3: New Mexico v. 14: Davidson
4: Marquette v. 13: Valparaiso
5: Kansas State v. 12: Oregon
6: Oklahoma State v. 11: Wichita State
7: Illinois v. 10: Belmont
8: Colorado State v. 9: Butler

Last 4 In:
Boise State
Virginia
Southern Miss
La Salle

First 4 Out:
Tennessee
Temple
Iowa State
Massachusetts

Last February BBall Ranks

So I did the number crunching on Monday and was away from my computer on Tuesday, so these ranks do not include results from Monday or Tuesday.

1: Duke vs. 16: Charleston Southern or Southern
2: Syracuse vs. 15: Niagara
3: Michigan vs. 14: Stony Brook
4: Marquette vs. 13: Akron
5: Minnesota vs. 12: Oregon or Temple
6: Illinois vs. 11: Middle Tennessee
7: Oklahoma vs. 10: California
8: Butler vs. 9: Missouri

1: Florida vs. 16: Mercer or Norfolk State
2: Michigan State vs. 15: Long Beach State
3: Ohio State vs. 14: South Dakota State
4: Georgetown vs. 13: Bucknell
5: Oklahoma State vs. 12: Massachusetts or Southern Miss
6: UNLV vs. 11: St. Mary's
7: San Diego State vs. 10: UCLA
8: Colorado vs. 9: NC State

1: Indiana vs. 16: Robert Morris
2: Miami (FL) vs. 15: Stephen F Austin
3: Wisconsin vs. 14: Harvard
4: New Mexico vs. 13: Valparaiso
5: Pittsburgh vs. 12: Villanova
6: Kansas State vs. 11: Cincinnati
7: Connecticut vs. 10: Notre Dame
8: VCU vs. 9: Belmont

1: Louisville vs. 16: Northeastern
2: Kansas vs. 15: Montana
3: Gonzaga vs. 14: Davidson
4: Arizona vs. 13: Louisiana Tech
5: Colorado State vs. 12: Creighton
6: North Carolina vs. 11: La Salle
7: Memphis vs. 10: Kentucky
8: St. Louis vs. 9: Wichita State

Last 4 In:
Massachusetts
Oregon
Temple
Southern Miss

First 4 Out:
Iowa State
Tennessee
Boise State
Mississippi

Week 4 College Bball Rankings

In case you missed it last night (because you probably don't watch women's basketball), the most talented/heralded female player in the country is a dirty player. That's right, Brittany Griner is dirty. Want proof?
Here's an older example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqDybiRJrAQ
And here's last night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIqPqBcM7ZE (fast forward to the 0:58 mark)

I can't give awards to a player that can't control emotions and uses cheap tactics to help her succeed.

Anyway, on to the men's rankings:

1: Florida v. 16: Southern or High Point
2: Syracuse v. 15: Long Beach State
3: Michigan v. 14: Stony Brook
4: Marquette v. 13: Akron
5: Oklahoma State v. 12: Norte Dame or Boise State
6: Colorado v. 11: Oregon
7: Butler v. 10: Belmont
8: Connecticut v. 9: Missouri

1: Duke v. 16: Mercer or Norfolk State
2: Kansas v. 15: Niagara
3: Arizona v. 14: Harvard
4: Pittsburgh v. 13: Bucknell
5: Colorado State v. 12: St. Mary's or Southern Miss
6: Oklahoma v. 11: Middle Tennessee
7: North Carolina v. 10: Wichita State
8: Memphis v. 9: Kentucky

1: Miami (FL) v. 16: Montana
2: Indiana v. 15: Stephen F Austin
3: Wisconsin v. 14: Davidson
4: Minnesota v. 13: Louisiana Tech
5: Kansas State v. 12: Iowa State
6: Illinois v. 11: La Salle
7: Cincinnati v. 10: St. Louis
8: UNLV v. 9: NC State

1: Louisville v. 16: Robert Morris
2: Michigan State v. 15: Northeastern
3: Gonzaga v. 14: South Dakota State
4: Ohio State v. 13: Valparaiso
5: Georgetown v. 12: California
6: New Mexico v. 11: Creighton
7: VCU v. 10: Baylor
8: San Diego State v. 9: UCLA

Last 4 In:
St. Mary's
Notre Dame
Boise State
Southern Miss

First 4 Out:
Mississippi
Maryland
Temple
Massachusetts

Changes from last week:
High Point replaces UNC-Asheville from the Big South
Mercer replaces Florida-Gulf Coast from the Atlantic Sun
Robert Morris replaces Bryant from the Northeast
South Dakota State replaces Western Illinois from the Summit
Mississippi moves out
Boise State moves in
Maryland gets close
St. Louis is all in
Southern Miss moves in
Indiana State moves out

Week 3 College Bball Rankings

In another one of those weeks where it seems like to no lead is safe, and no favorite is unbeatable, here come my updated rankings:

1: Duke v. 16: Bryant or Southern
2: Arizona v. 15: Stephen F. Austin
3: Michigan State v. 14: Long Beach State
4: Oklahoma State v. 13: Arkon
5: Butler v. 12: BYU or Notre Dame
6: Cincinnati v. 11: Oregon
7: Illinois v. 10: Creighton
8: NC State v. 9: UCLA

1: Florida v. 16: Western Illinois or Norfolk State
2: Michigan v. 15: Niagara
3: Kansas v. 14: Florida Gulf-Coast
4: Wisconsin v. 13: Louisiana Tech
5: New Mexico v. 12: St. Louis or St. Mary's
6: Kentucky v. 11: Middle Tennessee State
7: UNLV v. 10: Memphis
8: Baylor v. 9: Belmont

1: Miami (FL) v. 16: Montana
2: Syracuse v. 15: Northeastern
3: Ohio State v. 14: Davidson
4: Pittsburgh v. 13: Bucknell
5: Colorado State v. 12: Mississippi
6: San Diego State v. 11: Wichita State
7: Colorado v. 10: North Carolina
8: Connecticut v. 9: La Salle

1: Indiana v. 16: UNC-Ashville
2: Louisville v. 15: Vermont
3: Minnesota v. 14: Harvard
4: Gonzaga v. 13: Valparaiso
5: Marquette v. 12: Indiana State
6: Kansas State v. 11: Iowa State
7: Oklahoma v. 10: VCU
8: Georgetown v. 9: Missouri

Last 4 In:
St. Louis
BYU
Notre Dame
St. Mary's

First 4 Out:
Southern Miss
Temple
Massachusetts
Virginia

Changes from last week:
UNC-Ashville replaces Charleston Southern out of the Big South
Vermont replaces Stony Brook out the American East
Indiana State moves farther in
Boise State moves out
St. Mary's moves in
Charlotte not being considered and Temple is close

Week 2 College BBall Rankings

Damn DVR not scheduling the Superdome blackout, I missed most of the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl (up to the 2-minute warning), which made the part I did see somewhat anti-climactic. Oh well, another decent game worth watching that I was not emotionally vested in. I'm starting to think that if the Chiefs ever do play in the Super Bowl again, I'll be too nervious and intense to even bother eating/drinking the traditional faire.

On to another NFL off-season, the Chiefs are on the clock...

Anyways, here is this week's basketball rankings, it includes results through Sunday:

1: Florida v. 16: Southern or Norfolk State
2: Michigan v. 15: Niagara
3: Syracuse v. 14: Davidson
4: Colorado State v. 13: Indiana State or Boise State
5: Marquette v. 12: Akron
6: San Diego State v. 11: Illinois
7: Kentucky v. 10: Oregon
8: VCU v. 9: Missouri

1: Duke v. 16: Bryant or Charleston Southern
2: Miami (FL) v. 15: Long Beach State
3: Minnesota v. 14: Stony Brook
4: New Mexico v. 13: Bucknell
5: Wisconsin v. 12: Middle Tennessee State
6: UNLV v. 11: BYU
7: Oklahoma v. 10: La Salle
8: Baylor v. 9: Creighton

1: Kansas v. 16: Montana
2: Louisville v. 15: Florida Gulf-Coast
3: Ohio State v. 14: Valparaiso
4: Cincinnati v. 13: North Dakota State
5: Butler v. 12: Southern Mississippi
6: Pittsburgh v. 11: Iowa State
7: Colorado v. 10: Mississippi
8: Wichita State v. 9: North Carolina

1: Indiana v. 16: Stephen F. Austin
2: Arizona v. 15: Northeastern
3: Michigan State v. 14: Harvard
4: Gonzaga v. 13: Louisiana Tech
5: Kansas State v. 12: St. Louis or Notre Dame
6: Oklahoma State v. 11: Memphis
7: NC State v. 10: UCLA
8: Belmont v. 9: Georgetown

Last 4 In:
St. Louis
Notre Dame
Indiana State
Boise State

First 4 Out:
St. Mary's
Massachusetts
Virginia
Charlotte

Changes from last week:
Bryant replaces Robert Morris as NEC leaders.
North Dakota State replaces Western Illinois as Summit leaders.
Memphis moves in from "Last 4 In."
Boise State moves to "Last 4 In."
Arizona State, St. John's, and Wyoming are out.
Virginia and Charlotte are newly considered.

First '13 College Basketball Rankings

Nope, no Super Bowl talk. Go Niners, win one for Aldon and Justin.

It's time for my first "bracketology" rankings. You know the drill, I rank 72 teams (to get a "first 4 out"), I include all conference leaders, all teams receiving votes in both human polls, and the top 50 in the RPI (using RPI to break ties in conference standings). I average the team's RPI, poll ranks, strength of schedule rank, offensive efficiency rank, and defensive efficiency rank. Here is how the tourney would shape up including last nights games.

1: Florida v. 16: Southern or Norfolk State
2: Syracuse v. 15: Northeastern
3: Indiana v. 14: Davidson
4: UNLV v. 13: Memphis or Arizona State
5: Marquette v. 12: Bucknell
6: NC State v. 11: BYU
7: Colorado v. 10: Oklahoma State
8: UCLA v. 9: Connecticut

1: Kansas v. 16: Robert Morris or Charleston Southern
2: Michigan v. 15: Florida-Gulf Coast
3: Gonzaga v. 14: Long Beach State
4: Cincinnati v. 13: Akron
5: Wisconsin v. 12: Indiana State or Notre Dame
6: Baylor v. 11: Iowa State
7: Belmont v. 10: Mississippi
8: Creighton v. 9: Kansas State

1: Duke v. 16: Montana
2: Miami (FL) v. 15: Stephen F. Austin
3: Michigan State v. 14: Stony Brook
4: Butler v. 13: Louisiana Tech
5: New Mexico v. 12: Southern Mississippi
6: Missouri v. 11: Villanova
7: VCU v. 10: La Salle
8: Colorado State v. 9: Oklahoma

1: Arizona v. 16: Western Illinois
2: Louisville v. 15: Niagara
3: Minnesota v. 14: Valparaiso
4: Ohio State v. 13: Harvard
5: Oregon v. 12: Middle Tennessee State
6: San Diego State v. 11: Georgetown
7: Wichita State v. 10: Illinois
8: Pittsburgh v. 9: North Carolina

Last Four In:
Indiana State
Notre Dame
Memphis
Arizona State

First Four Out:
St. John's
Wyoming
St. Mary's
Massachusetts

Playoffs Are Coming

The problem with having divorced parents, being married to a woman with divorced parents, and having an 18-month-old who's the only great-grandchild in 2 of the 4 sides of the family is that the holidays can be extremely busy and tiresome. If all the families lived in the same city or were willing to all be in the same room, it'd be easy; but not the case. I'm not blaming my family for being away from a computer last week to do my Week 17 picks, just giving it up as a reason. I tweeted them out, but I realize most of you don't follow me... as I have only 10 followers (although I might not even have that many readers), but here's a recap:

Broncos over Chiefs
Bills over Jets
Bengals over Ravens
Steelers over Browns
Saints over Panthers
Bears over Lions
Texans over Colts
Titans over Jaguars
Giants over Eagles
Buccaneers over Falcons
Packers over Vikings
Patriots over Dolphins
Chargers over Raiders
49ers over Cardinals
Seahawks over Rams
Redskins over Cowboys

Week 16: 12-4
Week 17: 13-3
Season: 169-85

Wild Card Picks:
Ravens over Colts - is Andrew Luck the Rookie of the Year? Well, he surpassed expectations by taking the league-worst Colts back to the playoffs in 1 year. He put together a couple of great games in which he willed his team to win. And he manages to be a stellar quarterback while looking goofier than hell. Yes, the Colts are a zillion times better this year, but they still didn't prove anything on the road. If they had just won in Houston, they'd be hosting the Bengals while simultaneously preparing for the Patriots. They have impressed everyone and they are riding a better string of games than the Ravens, but I can't pick a team who's is 4-4 on the road with wins against KC, Jacksonville, Tennesse, and Detriot.
Texans over Bengals - this game is essentially meaningless, either the Texans lose to the Patriots or the Bengals lose to the Broncos. Honestly, I can see my self cheering for 7 teams in the Super Bowl, and these are the only two in the AFC.
Packers over Vikings - the Packers appeared to be overthinking their possible match-ups last week. They were either going to get the Vikings, Bears, Giants or Cowboys, but the only way they could control that was by losing a close one and playing the Vikings again. A win meant meant either the Bears, Giants or Cowboys (would have been the Bears). There choices were essentially a terrible QB with superstar RB and a strong defense or a bad QB with no RB and a strong (but old) defense. They made the wrong choice, but still I can't go against Rodgers.
Seahawks over Redskins - I love watching RG3; I love that I was right about the Redskins making the playoffs when I picked them to win on Thanksgiving; I love the DC fans and their support of the team; unfortunately, I think the Seahawks are the more complete team.