East Region

Re-Seeded by KenPom

1. Virginia
2. Villanova
3. Michigan State
4. Iowa State
5. Cincinnati
6. UConn
7. North Carolina
8. Harvard
9. Providence
10. Memphis
11. George Washington
12. St. Joseph's

Overseeded: Iowa State, North Carolina, Memphis, GW, St. Joe's

The State swap on the 3-4 lines is a bigger swap on KP. MSU is up to 10 (14 entering B1G title game) while ISU remained at 23. The bottom 3 are 2 seeds higher in this region. Some people are questioning St. Joe's as a 10 seed, thinking they should be higher. To me, 10 is the ceiling. That's not to say they can't or won't beat UConn but UConn will be a decent favorite.

Underseeded: Michigan State, UConn, Harvard, Providence

Ivy League teams can be higher than a 12-seed and have been in the past. Should Harvard be higher? The committee and their formula says no but they're 33rd in KP. That could get them in a 8-9 but I bet they like drawing Cincinnati. We discussed MSU. Providence is lower than should be in this particular region and get UNC.

- Again, we have no teams that have top 10 ratings in offensive and defensive efficiency. Sadly, this region has no top 10 offensive units. Michigan State is here at 11, up from 14 yesterday morning. Iowa State is next best at 15. You do have two top 10 defenses in Virginia at 3 and Cincinnati at 9. UConn is 11. Villanova is the most well-rounded team at 16 in adjO and 14 in AdjD. Virginia is 25th in adjO. They're capable of some offensive stinkers, though. I'm willing to bet when they lose, they don't get to 50. Get the feeling this will be a grinders bracket based on the numbers.

Random Observations:

You have 3 top 10 teams in this region and interestingly enough teams 23-26. That should make for some entertaining games...This region is weird because you could have 2 AAC teams play one another in the Sweet 16 and have 2 Big East teams play in the Sweet 16. Good work by the committee...The Harvard-Cincinnati game will be a popular 5-12 upset. That should give us pause. Either way, I'm guessing its a game decided by a bucket or two...Michigan State is the resounding favorite according to America and will probably be my pick but they have concerns on defense and Gary Harris hurt his shoulder yesterday. Either way, the round of 32 game they play will be a bruising game...NC Central is capable of beating Iowa State who I really like but they got a tough draw

Best Choice(s):

Michigan State is the consensus favorite but a case can be made for both Villanova and Virginia