We just finished another great NCAA Tournament. Ready for more? Sure. So why not take an early look at March Madness - 2012. Yes, there’s a lot we don’t know. Several players will decided whether to make a leap to the NBA or return to college. It may be especially challenging this year with the threat of an NBA lockout. That in mind, here’s a not-too-serious, but fun look ahead at what we might see on Selection Sunday next March. It’s a good thing these things are actually decided on the court.
Based on what we know and/or anticipate ... our No. 1 seeds are Kentucky, North Carolina, Syracuse, and Ohio State. Connecticut, the defending champs, open as a 2 seed.
NOTE: In the 68-team format you will notice two pairing games that represent the First Four pairings. In this bracket the First Four games would be ... South Carolina vs. Dayton | Virginia vs. BYU | UT-San Antonio vs. NC-Ashville | Hampton vs. Tx-Southern. The final four at-large teams are paired along with the teams seeded 65-68 on the S-curve. The matchups are indicated in the bracket below.
BRACKET PROJECTION ... 2012
| EAST - Boston | SOUTHEAST - Atlanta | |
| Greensborgo | Louisville | |
| 1) North Carolina | 1) Kentucky | |
| 16) Hampton / Tx-Southern | 16) NC-Asheville / UT-San Antonio | |
| 8 Colorado | 8 USC | |
| 9) Georgia | 9) Georgetown | |
| Portland | Nashville | |
| 5) Marquette | 5) Texas A-M | |
| 12) Harvard | 12) Maryland | |
| 4) Wisconsin | 4) Memphis | |
| 13) Creighton | 13) Kent State | |
| Louisville | Columbus | |
| 6) Butler | 6) Missouri | |
| 11) Illinois | 11) Washington State | |
| 3) Vanderbilt | 3) Michigan | |
| 14) Wofford | 14) Bucknell | |
| Pittsburgh | Nashville | |
| 7) George Mason | 7) Xavier | |
| 10) Kansas State | 10) New Mexico | |
| 2) Connecticut | 2) Louisville | |
| 15) Florida-Atlantic | 15) Murray State | |
| SOUTHWEST - St. Louis | WEST - Phoenix | |
| Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | |
| 1) Syracuse | 1) Ohio State | |
| 16) Montana | 16) UC-Santa Barbara | |
| 8 Michigan State | 8 West Virginia | |
| 9) Temple | 9) Washington | |
| Portland | Columbus | |
| 5) Alabama | 5) Gonzaga | |
| 12) Virginia / BYU | 12) South Carolina / Dayton | |
| 4) UCLA | 4) Cincinnati | |
| 13) Utah State | 13) Belmont | |
| Omaha | Albuquerque | |
| 6) Florida | 6) Pittsburgh | |
| 11) California | 11) VCU | |
| 3) Kansas | 3) Arizona | |
| 14) Iona | 14) Long Island | |
| Greensboro | Albuquerque | |
| 7) Villanova | 7) Florida State | |
| 10) Purdue | 10) Wichita State | |
| 2) Duke | 2) Texas | |
| 15) Vermont | 15) Oral Roberts |
NOTES on the BRACKET: Kentucky is the overall No. 1 seed followed by North Carolina, Syracuse, and Ohio State.
Last Five teams in (at large): Maryland, BYU, South Carolina, Virginia, Dayton
First Five teams out (at large): Notre Dame, Old Dominion, Clemson, St. John’s, Duquesne
Also considered (at large): Virginia Tech, Penn State, Nebraska, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Indiana, Marshall, Tulsa, St. Mary’s, San Francisco, Hofstra, Indiana State, UW-Milwaukee, Detroit, Western Michigan, Akron, Mississippi State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Richmond, UAB, UTEP, Oakland
