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Bracketology (2/20/07)

CHN » Fan Blogs » Bracketology
February 20th, 2007 by ljk2171
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1-N.Carolina*, Wisconsin*, UCLA*, Florida*
2-Kansas*, Pitt*, Texas A&M, Ohio St
3-Memphis*, Duke, Washington St, Georgetown
4-S.Illinois*, Virginia, Nevada*, Kentucky
5-Butler*, Indiana, Marquette, Arizona
6-Texas, Air Force*, Michigan St, Boston College
7-Oklahoma St, Oregon, VA Tech, Tennessee
8-W.Virgina, Stanford, Notre Dame, Maryland
9-Louisville, USC, Texas Tech, Purdue
10-Winthrop*, Vanderbilt, Villanova, Illinois
11-Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, GA Tech
12-Xavier*, Gonzaga*, BYU, Creighton
13-VCU*, Akron*, Davidson*, Vermont*
14-S.Alabama*, Penn*, Marist*, Austin Peay*
15-ETSU*, Oral Roberts*, Weber St*, Holy Cross*
16-Texas A&M-CC*, Long Beach St*, Del St*, CCSU*, Jackson St*
*Automatic Qualifier

Last Four In: Creighton, BYU, Clemson, Georgia
Last Four Out: Florida St, Michigan, Missouri St, UNLV
Next Four Out: Bradley, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas St

National Notes: Another "Bracket Buster" has come and gone, however, uncertainty for several mid-major programs has remained. At the forefront of the chaos was Drexel's victory in Omaha against Creighton. The Blue Jays now find themselves on the bubble and cannot afford anything less than a strong finish to the regular season combined with a run to at least the Missouri Valley Conference semifinals to ensure their berth in the NCAA Tournament safely. Creighton was not the only MVC team to take a hit over the weekend, Missouri State stumbled against Winthrop Friday night on their home court with an uninspiring second half that put Winthrop on the bubble, which is all they can ask for if disaster strikes in the Big South Tournament. The win would have been a nice feather in the cap of Missouri State who will now need to follow a similar path to that of Creighton and reach the MVC semifinals at the minimum. Memphis received a scare from a Gonzaga team trying to find its identity at a very precarious time of the season thanks to some off the court troubles. While Memphis' win may not look overly impressive on the surface, for a team who has faced weak competition from Conference USA over the past few months, going across country to a hostile environment and having to pull out a win in overtime versus a desperate team may go a long way come March. Two national powers that have struggled as of late, Duke and Arizona, may benefit from the suicide schedules they put together this season more than many experts seem to think. With a lack of standout teams being considered for number 3, 4, and 5 seeds, the Blue Devils and Wildcats could secure number three seeds and possibly slide up to a number two seed if several things break right, this includes taking care of their own business, which may prove to be each club's downfall. Lastly, credit has to be given to Mississippi Head Coach Andy Kennedy, the Rebels' first year coach has surpassed everyone's expectations guiding Ole Miss to 17 victories through Monday, most since the 2001-02 season, as well as a share of the SEC West lead. Kennedy served as interim head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats last season before being passed over in favor of Mick Cronin. The Bearcats currently reside in the basement of the Big East and will not qualify for the conference tournament.

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