Lunard's latest Bracket is In

[brewcity77]

Do you think that they take into account that we played them twice? Many conferences have home and home but I think that they would try to avoid an early round 3rd game. New territory though.

Calling it third round is a technicality. But still, there's no way we'll see a Big East team that early. The rule per the NCAA that I think may have prevented 9 Big East teams from getting in previously is that no two teams can be seeded to meet before the regional finals (Elite 8). When you seed the tournament, if you add the 9th team, then you will be forced to set up at least two teams to meet as early as the regional semifinals (Sweet 16). However, it is possible to seed up to 16 teams from the same conference without any of them meeting before the regional semifinals. The committee will do everything in their power to prevent Big East teams from meeting. I'm guessing you won't see any Big East 2 & 3 seeds in the same region, nor will you see any 1 & 4 combos in the same region. It may be difficult to prevent that, but if the conference sends 11 teams, then 3 will have to be slated to meet as early as the Sweet 16. I'm guessing those three will include the three lowest seeded Big East teams. Probably Marquette on the 10-line and Cincinnati and West Virginia on the 7, though my guess is they would adjust them down a line or two into 8/9 matchups to further decrease the likelihood of Big East teams playing each other early on.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out, but I would bet everything I own that you won't see any Big East teams in the same first weekend pod.

[NavinRJohnson]

Seth Davis Tweets in on MU...

SethDavisHoops  Seth davis
I don't think Marquette is in as bad a position as some others seem to think. Still, I highly recommend the Eagles beat Providence tonight.


I think this is accurate. As hard as it may be for some to believe, with a win tonight, we are in, no doubt. With a loss, I think its 50/50. Would really depend on what others do this week.

[The Man in Gold]

Lunardi recaps the the Big East field, and claims the numbers don't lie Marquette is in for sure with a win tonight, and likely even with a loss.  He places 'Nova in more jeopardy of losing a bid.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6192715

Also, UWM = Bid Stealer, more reason to root for Butler tonight.

[Stuckin1977]

I think they'll be an 11-seed

http://mu-bball.blogspot.com/2011/03/where-should-marquette-be-seeded.html

[NCAARules]

The rule per the NCAA that I think may have prevented 9 Big East teams from getting in previously is that no two teams can be seeded to meet before the regional finals (Elite 8). When you seed the tournament, if you add the 9th team, then you will be forced to set up at least two teams to meet as early as the regional semifinals (Sweet 16). However, it is possible to seed up to 16 teams from the same conference without any of them meeting before the regional semifinals. The committee will do everything in their power to prevent Big East teams from meeting. I'm guessing you won't see any Big East 2 & 3 seeds in the same region, nor will you see any 1 & 4 combos in the same region.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out, but I would bet everything I own that you won't see any Big East teams in the same first weekend pod.

I agree on the first weekend thing, but need to point out that those rules changed at least a year ago, setting up MU/WVU and ND/Nova as potential sweet 16 matchups in last year's tournament. Still preferred to be avoided, but at 8 teams the NCAA had to start messing with some of the principles. I'm sure this year's bracket will be very entertaining in that respect.

[Wade for President]

Lunardi recaps the the Big East field, and claims the numbers don't lie Marquette is in for sure with a win tonight, and likely even with a loss.  He places 'Nova in more jeopardy of losing a bid.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6192715

Also, UWM = Bid Stealer, more reason to root for Butler tonight.

Agreed.  LOVED seeing Lunardi talk solely about MU on this mornings SportsCenter.  I truly believe if we lay the hammer down on Providence, that we'll be in.

Also thought it was funny hearing Bob Knight say that it would be potentially easier to win the NCAA Tournament, then getting through the BE Tourney.