Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Conference to Watch Out for in the Big Dance

Big Ten
Yes, you heard that right; I'm going with the Big Ten as the Conference that will out-perform the rest come March. Quite the change from the normal ACC plugging that I normally do, I know, but hear me out. Of the teams projected to make the Tournament out of the Big Ten, MSU, Purdue, Illinois, Wisky, and Ohio State, I can make a case for all of them making the Final Four except for Illinois. Compare that to the other four major conferences (I'm leaving out the Pac-10).
ACC - They might get 6 or 7 in but can you see any of them except Duke making the Final Four? I mentioned Georgia Tech earlier in the year but they've stumbled since and the second place team just got blasted by Duke.
SEC - Kentucky is a National Champ favorite and Vanderbilt is a solid sleeper but that's it there. The West Division is average at best and Tennessee just doesn't have the depth to last 4 games in.
Big 12 - Kansas is the favorite and K-State certainly has looked the part but Texas has fallen apart and would you ever back Rick Barnes in March? A&M has good numbers but can't get over the hump to be taken seriously
Big East - Now, here's one the could give the Big 10 a run for it's money. Syracuse is solid and most people (not me however), think Villanova has a chance. That's 2 to start with and you'd have to throw West Virginia in even though they just lost to Pittsburgh. We're now at 3. The next group contains Georgetown, who's shortcomings were recently outlined by Kurlinski, Pittsburgh who outside of beating WV has withered lately, Louisville and Marquette. No doubt they are solid but who of that group would you put in the Final Four?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

There is little doubt in my mind the Big 11 has the most top heavy conference in the land, thus, more than capable of a great March.