Seeds 1. Pittsburgh 2. Connecticut 3. Providence 4. Syracuse 5. Boston College 6. Seton Hall 7. Notre Dame 8. Virginia Tech 9. Rutgers 10. West Virginia 11. Villanova 12. Georgetown 1st Round Virginia Tech vs Rutgers (ESPN) Noon Boston College vs Georgetown (ESPN) 2:00 p.m. Notre Dame vs West Virginia (ESPN) 7:00 p.m. Seton Hall vs Villanova (ESPN) 9:00 p.m. Quarter Finals Pittsburgh vs Tech/Rutgers (ESPN2) Noon Syracuse vs BC/GTown (ESPN) 2:00 p.m. UConn vs ND/WVU (ESPN2) 7:00 p.m. Providence vs SHU/Nova (ESPN) 9:00 p.m.
Two weeks ago it looked like UConn and Pitt were head and shoulders over the rest of the conferance but the Cuse has debuncted that theory. The way they are playing I wouldn't be surprised if they won this tourny. And if they do win the BET they could have a shot at a #2 seed in the NCAAs. And better yet, they could even be placed in Buffalo. I wouldn't put money on Cuse going to Buffalo with all the criticism the comittee got last year for placing Syracuse in Albany. But nonetheless it's still possible. On the other side, Providence is heading in the opposite direction. I used to say PC reminded me of Cuse last year but they are playing bad now at the worst possible time of year. Here's my BET predictions(winners in bold): 1st Round Virginia Tech vs Rutgers Boston College vs Georgetown Notre Dame vs West Virginia Seton Hall vs Villanova Quarter Finals Pittsburgh vs Va. Tech Syracuse vs Boston College UConn vs Notre Dame Providence vs Seton Hall Semi Finals Pittsburgh vs Syracuse UConn vs Seton Hall Final UConn vs Syracuse
Agree with just about all those Predictions (all the important ones anyhow). But I would find it highly ironic if Cuse got a #2 seed. Last season they went in as a #3 but were underseeded and should have been a #2. This season they might go in an be a #2 and be overseeded (these guys have "4" written all over them - but because of their late surge I think they'll end up at a 3)
True. If you looked at Syracuse's resume last year they were clearly at worst a 2 seed. But when I saw that they were in a bracket with a highly overrated Wake Forest team I jumped for joy. What this means is that the seedings could be a little meaningless. It's the matchups that matter. I would rather be a 4 seed in St. Joe's bracket than a 2 seed in North Carolina's bracket. It's going to be interesting to see where Syracuse goes this year because I guarantee you nobody wants to play them this year.
I think this tournament has the potential to be really wide open, and much like last year, I think I'd almost prefer that the 'Cuse lose in the semis so they don't have to play an extra game before the NCAAs. My picks: Pittsburgh beats VA Tech/Rutgers. Syracuse beats Boston College in a surprisingly close game. Notre Dame beats UConn (after ND beats West Virginia). With Okafor banged up, and the need for ND to win this game to make the tournament, I think they pull the upset. Seton Hall beats Providence...although I think this is a toss-up game. Semis: Pitt beats Syracuse. Pitt is going to be looking for revenge after we ended their home winning streak. And I don't think Boeheim will view this game as particularly important in the grand scheme of the NCAA tournament. Notre Dame beats Seton Hall. Again, ND's desperation will fuel them to another much needed win. Final: Pitt over Notre Dame. Pitt is too strong, and ND's four games over four days will catch up to them. As for Syracuse's seeding in the NCAAs....well I really don't see us getting anything higher than a 3 seed. We are likely a 4. And being a 4 in St. Joseph's bracket wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.........
I hope you're right, but I doubt it. Providence is a better team than Seton Hall. If ND beats UConn (still a big 'if' but possible), three games with the seven man rotation will probably be too much against a team that shut them down in South Bend. Beating UConn gets them 'in' anyways so there would be no desperation. I guess Pitt-Syracuse vs Providence-ND with Pitt blowing out Providence in the finals. Right now Rutgers is up 8 at the half.
we have 12 guys in the pool at work. First round predictions. -only 1 picked V. Tech (good for Tim) -only 2 picked G'town -only 1 picked West Virginia -only 2 picked 'Nova Second round -all picked Pitt -all picked SU -9 UConn, 3 ND -6 Prov, 5 SH, 1 'Nova Third round -10 Pitt, 2 SU (not too confident in the home town team) -7 UConn, 2 SH, 2 Prov, 1 ND Champion -6 Pitt, 4 UConn, 1 SU, 1 Prov I was the one with Providence (have them beating Pitt). I am not sure I have even seen them play this year, but if they can pull it off the $60 could be mine.
OK, I can breathe again. Wow. ND blows a 16 point lead with 11 minutes to go and hits a three to win as West Virginia's last shot falls long. I was about 10 seconds from committing hara-kiri
Quarterfinals: Pitt beats VA Tech 74-61. BC beats Syracuse 57-54. Crap. Oh well, at least we won't have to play Pittsburgh again.....and we can get some rest before the real tournament begins.