NCAA Tourney First Glance

Quick thoughts on the bracket and a lively Sunday night in Bristol...

- No arguments out of me over the top seeds. As I stated earlier, I like UConn's overall resume better than Memphis. Also agree with Louisville as the top team overall.

- For the most part, I am down with the 2-4 seeds, though I might have put Florida State over Xavier. Minor quibble.

- Looks like Arizona and Wisconsin were the last two teams in. I can't say I have a huge problem with the Wildcats being in, though the argument against is equally as strong. On the other hand, I was thrilled to the Badgers seeded lower than most had projected. Yes, the Big 10 still have seven teams in, but the low seeds, combined with Penn State not receiving a bid, puts the over zealous conference in place.

- As I stated previously, I had St. Mary's as the last team in (only one I had wrong, with Arizona as #66), and considering the non-power conferences received only four at-large bids, I think the Gaels were the team that got hosed. Truth is, an argument can be made for several teams to be in or out, but the Patty Mills injury was the biggest variable among the bubble teams. Guess it wasn't enough.

- Speaking of the Gaels...I switched over to ESPN after Greg, Seth and Greg wrapped up to watch Dick Vitale and Doug Gottlieb smack down Jay Bilas' silly notion that the mid-to-small majors can schedule whomever they want at home or on a neutral court. I have heard many a silly sports argument in my day, but this is right at the top of the list. It is one thing to argue for a specific power school, like Arizona over a smaller school like St. Mary's, but to say with a straight face that the non-power conferences are on the same playing field with the big boys when it comes to scheduling is preposterous. The bracketolgists can argue all they want about who played the most top-50 teams or who did better over the last 10 games, but until the Goliath's willingly play the David's on the road or at least at a true neutral site, then it is an apples-to-oranges types comparison...Ok Ben, put the bracket argument down and slowly move away from it for another 360 days. Serenity now...

- Splitting hairs here, but let's say the West is the toughest region, with the South just a shade behind.

- I would have to say the Midwest is the weakest of the four regions. I see more first round upsets coming out this region than the others.

- Louisville, playing their early rounds in Dayton, could face Ohio State in the second round.

- UNC and Duke get to play in their home state in the first two rounds. This happens most years so why should this time be any different. Seriously, how does this not get more national attention? According to ESPN, the Tar Heels are 25-1 all-time in NCAA Tournament games played in the state of North Carolina. Yes, Villanova is playing in Philadelphia, but the tournament only sporadically comes to Rocky's hometown.

- Tyler Hansbrough and Blake Griffin, two of the top big men in the country, are poised to meet in the Elite Eight if both teams advance .

- Overall, I would say the top-heavy bracket shakes out well for the Big East schools. Detailed analysis to come tomorrow...