One Week from 65

The magic season has come to a close. Our MTSU Blue Raiders couldn't answer a Yemi Nicholson deuce with 0.8 left, and Denver knocks off the tournament hosts in their first game. Thanks to all who've donned the Royal Blue and Silver this season, and to those who're coming back--next year, we're ripping those Mile High Boys a new one.
The "Mitsu" women continue their quest for a return to the Big Dance later today (11am), but Lady Blue needs to maul Arkansas State to gain a bit more momentum. Granted, they did flatten La-La, but we need to keep the Murfreesboro Freight Train rolling. Carolinas, here we come!

I want to commend the Southeastern Conference for an exceptional job this season. Their throwback campaign for the league's 80th anniversary caught me by surprise, especially since all teams were participating at the same times and with complete (road and away) sets. What surprised me even more is that replicas of many of these jerseys were for sale on SECstore.com. However, I'm most impressed that they stepped up and put their history proudly on display by making the entire SEC men's Tournament "Throwback" as well. Seeing my Gators in orange road unis, the stripe-trimmed Bama outfits, the old school Tennessee-word-marked unis, MSU's "STATE" tops, and even those gaudy-as-can-be Vandy looks...finally, college is seeing the potential for throwback usage, and finally it seems the "old-is-new" style is being treated with some respect, not just as a fad.

Alright, time now to play myself down the stairs with some opinions and such on the NCAA's. (Men's only, as I haven't seen much of the women's side of hoops this year.)
I seriously think Duke will be under-rated, especially because of the loss to UNC. If I were to pick right now, I'd say they were my favorite to run the table. However, they get a two-seed, and will make the Final Four.
Shaggy Morrison and the Zags will be a top seed, and they deserve it. Memphis will likely be a #1 as well, though unless they decimate the competition in the C-USA tourney I think they'd deserve to be a #2.
I guess UConn deserves the #1 they will get, and I'd put Villanova behind them--they're likely the other #1, and I just don't feel right about this one. The 'cats have been roughing people up all year, and have posted a few upsets all year, but look for them to catch a bad break with an under-appreciated middle-of-the-bracket team and get shown up.
Tennessee has some weaknesses, but expect no one to find them for at least two rounds. The Florida Gators, on the other hand, are for real. If they get a #3 seed I'd be surprised, but bumping them to #4 makes them dangerous. That means they'll draw a #13 seed, then likely a #5 and then a #1 in the "regionals." Put them against a Duke or a Gonzaga, and UF loses, though it's exciting. Give them a Memphis, UConn, or Villanova...? Yeah, get me now? Between Noah, Horford, and Humphrey, these Gators have some serious bite, and this could (finally) be that breakthrough year I've been predicting for a couple of years.
George Washington is a tough call. With Pops back and somewhere close to healthy, I'd give the Colonials the Elite Eight. Without him, they've done well, but almost coughed it up against Charlotte on Saturday. Which GW shows up? Tell me that, then I'll tell you how they do.
Georgetown has been relatively quiet lately, though they should make some noise in the Big Dance. I'd give them around a #4 seed, then see what the Hoyas can do with it.
Texas and "THE" Ohio State are 2-seeds. OSU I expect could fall in the Sweet 16, if not earlier, because I haven't been blown away by them. Being an anti-Buckeye didn't help my news search, but they haven't gotten a ton of coverage until lately. Texas, however, has become a sleeping bull. They are going to hit somebody--hard. Expect the 'Horns to gore someone out of this tournament.
UCLA is still not getting enough love. With the right bracket, Sweet 16 is very doable for the talented Powder Blue of Westwood. I hope my USC Trojans could sneak in as well, but...well, see below on VU.
Vandy could still sneak in, but likely won't be around long even if they do (sorry guys; I hate it too). I'm not sold on LSU being better then UF or UTK, and you saw where I put them. UK is a bust, and Bama's good for a win or two before being sent back to campus.
And my low-seed upset pick(s)? Can't go wrong with Western, unfortunately, and the ol' Belmont Bruins may shock someone as well.