Most Intriguing Matchup
#4 Purdue vs. #13 Siena
-Can Purdue possibly be this awful without Robbie Hummel? After that dreadful 11 point first half against a very mediocre Minnesota team, that remains to be seen. This is a very good Siena team as well out of the MAAC. They took a beating during Bracketbusters week against Butler, but have recovered extremely well. This is a team that was capable of making some noise, even before they drew a Purdue squad that is currently in shambles. Purdue was on track as a lock for a #1 seed before Hummel went down, and the committee took this into account, giving them a #4 instead. Will Purdue find a way to right the ship or is it too late?
Upset Alerts
#5 Texas A&M vs. #12 Utah State
-Another #5 vs. #12 here. Utah State was upset in their WAC title game by New Mexico State which probably cost them a couple spots for seeding. They played in a pretty week conference but went 14-2, and their best win is probably an early season victory over BYU at home. Texas A&M went 11-5 in the Big 12 with wins over Baylor and Missouri included in that. Utah State is a very good team and if Texas A&M plays like they did against Kansas in the Big 12 Tourney, they won't be advancing.
#4 Purdue vs. #13 Siena
-Like I mentioned earlier, this is a Purdue team that has yet to find themselves since losing Robbie Hummel for the season. This Siena team is not as talented as they have been in the past when they produced upsets over #4 Vanderbilt in 2008 and #8 Ohio State in 2009, but they are very good. This is just such a question mark kind of game because to be honest, I have absolutely no idea what to expect from Purdue.
#6 Notre Dame vs. #11 Old Dominion
-This Notre Dame team is ridiculously inconsistent, except for when they are actually missing Luke Harangody when they won 4 in a row right before the Big East Tourney. During the year they have suffered losses to the likes of Loyala Marymount, Rutgers, Northwestern, and St. Johns, but have beaten teams like West Virginia, Georgetown, and Pitt. So which Notre Dame team are we going to get? Meanwhile, Old Dominion played a decent non-conference schedule including games against Missouri, Mississippi State, and Richmond. They even racked up a win against Georgetown. Upset alert here for sure.
They Got A What Seed!?
#1 Duke
-As long as Duke won a very weak ACC Tournament they were going to be a #1 seed and they did. But they are arguably the worst #1 seed as West Virginia is definitely more deserving of that spot. They are #1 though and they drew what is in my opinion the easiest path to Indianapolis in the South Region.
#4 Purdue
-Did the committee judge on Purdue on their whole body of work or did they take the loss of Hummel into account? That obviously weighed heavily on their mind when they gave the Boilermakers a #4 seed, as they were pretty much a lock for a #2 or a #3 at worst based on their whole season. Is this right or not? Well that is a debate for another time, but the way they are playing of late this is a once #1 seed playing like a #8 seed that is a #4 seed. Are you following me here? Did that make sense?
Biggest Threat To The #1 Seed
#3 Baylor
-Here is a team that has flown under the radar. What they have been able to accomplish since the Patrick Dennehy incident in 2003 incredible, and wow has head coach Scott Drew turned this program around. They went 11-5 in the Big 12 this year and 25-7 overall. They are on track for their first NCAA Tournament win since 1950 and I have a feeling it's not going to just stop at one. This is an extremely solid team that beat a #6 Texas team on the road back when Texas was still good. The Bears are well coached and have three solid scorers in their staring five, don't count this team out from a Final Four run in a relatively weak bracket.
Potential Cinderellas
#11 Old Dominion
-(See above)
#7 Richmond
-Again, I'm very high on all 3 of the A-10 teams in this conference as I think it was a very underrated conference. Richmond played a tough schedule and got quality wins over Florida, Mississippi State, Old Dominion, and Missouri. Kevin Anderson and David Gonzalvez anchor a quality backcourt for the Spiders. They should be able to dispatch an okay St. Mary's team with no problem and set up an interesting 2nd round matchup with Villanova. I expect the A-10 teams to make some noise this year.
Most Intriguing Potential 2nd Round Matchups
#1 Duke vs. #9 Louisville
-I'n not as high on Louisville as everyone seems to be. Yes they swept a Syracuse team that has only lost 4 games all year, but they also have some dreadful losses and it could be argued that they have no quality wins outside those Syracuse games. I think that's more about matchups than anything else. Nonetheless, this is still an intriguing matchup. Coach K vs. Rick Pitino. Two legends on the games biggest stage, I don't think they'll win, but don't count Louisville out.
Overall Thoughts:
This is by far the most interesting region and has the most potential for upsets. You have the weakest #1 seed in this region as well as arguably the weakest #2 in Villanova who isn't playing well right now. You have some very interesting mid-major teams in Siena, Old Dominion, and Richmond. If chaos is to take over a bracket, it's going to be this one.
Who's Going To Indianapolis?
#3 Baylor
-Underrated. Below the radar. However you want to put it, that's what this team is. They are battle ready, battle tested, and well coached under Scott Drew. The Bears also benefit from being placed in the weakest of the regions. I see them taking down a soft Duke team in the Sweet 16 and making it to Indianapolis.
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