In Orlando, after a loss to Wichita St, it appeared that all hope was lost for the Siena Saints. They were expected to challenge for an at-large bid. There was no reason why they should’ve lost to the Shockers. The Saints finished that tournament 0-3 and even I read them their last rights.
Well, since leaving Orlando, Siena is 14-2 and 10-0 in the 12th rated conference in the RPI. Their two losses came on the road at Pittsburgh and Kansas. Siena already has seven top-100 wins and it looks as if they’re on a mission to roll towards the NCAA tournament. I fully expect to see Siena’s name pop up on Selection Sunday and they are definitely a threat to pull off another upset.
Stock Up: Louisville. It looked ugly early for the Cardinals. After an early season loss to Western Kentucky, Rick Pitino had to issue a public apology on his website. He doesn’t have to apologize now. Louisville looks like the team we expected to sea before the season began. They’re playing excellent defense while Earl Clark and Terrance Williams are proving to be an unstoppable duo. This is definitely a final four contender.
Stock Down: Wisconsin. The Badgers are in a corner right now. They’ve lost four in a row with three of their next four coming up against teams in this week’s bracket. They must stop the bleeding or it could be a long season in Madison.
Stock Up: Utah St. I criticized the Aggies’ schedule a few weeks ago, but if you don’t lose…it doesn’t matter. They are rolling and with three of their next four at home, they can really take all of the suspense out of the WAC regular season championship.
Stock Down: Georgetown. The Hoyas are going to let the entire season go by without realizing that had they played hard, they would’ve made the tournament. Watching them play right now, it’s not a matter of talent, it’s a matter of want-to. Right now Georgetown doesn’t want it bad enough. They’d better or the Big East will embarrass them.
This week’s Bracket Projections:
Last Four In: Penn St, South Carolina, BYU, Michigan
Last Four Out: USC, Wisconsin, Boston College, Illinois St
This bracket is good for games played through Sunday, January 25, 2009.
SOUTH
1.Duke16.Morgan St Greensboro, NC
8.Dayton9.Georgetown
5.Kansas12.Siena Portland, OR
4.Purdue13.Buffalo
6.Minnesota11.Miami(FL) Miami, FL
3.Butler14.Cornell
7.Kentucky10.Davidson Kansas City, MO
2.Louisville15.Austin Peay
WEST
1.Oklahoma16.East Tennessee St Kansas City, MO
8.Utah St9.Virginia Tech
5.Washington12.BYU Portland, OR
4.Syracuse13.VMI
6.St. Mary’s11.Michigan Minneapolis, MN
3.Marquette14.Virginia Commonwealth
7.California10.Oklahoma St Greensboro, NC
2.Wake Forest15.North Dakota St
MIDWEST
1.Pittsburgh16.Alabama St/Holy Cross Dayton, OH
8.Florida St9.Ohio St
5.Memphis12.South Carolina Boise, ID
4.Texas13.Portland St
6.Arizona St11.Notre Dame Minneapolis, MN
3.Illinois14.Northern Iowa
7.Missouri10.Tennessee Philadelphia, PA
2.North Carolina15.Long Beach St
EAST
1.Connecticut16.Robert Morris Philadelphia, PA
8.Baylor9.Florida
5.West Virginia12.Penn St Miami, FL
4.Clemson13.Western Kentucky
6.UCLA11.Villanova Boise, ID
3.Xavier14.Stephen F. Austin
7.Gonzaga10.UNLV Dayton, OH
2.Michigan St15.Vermont
Bracketville USA 