Friday, March 17, 2006

Looking at the Brackets

Bridgeport
First Round:Duke should be able to ease into the second round against Southern based on talent alone. In the next round it's either Southern California or South Florida. I think USC is the more balanced team and should be able to get past Dickson and the Panthers. Kentucky - Chattanooga could be an interesting contest as Kentucky has been up and down all year, while Chattanooga tends to always be ready for the dance even though they play in a weak conference. I just wonder how Kentucky's players will react to being in the dance for the first time. The winner moves on to play Michigan State, who should have no problem with UWM.
The bottom half of the bracket has UConn in a walkover against Coppin State. I can see Coppin State slowing the game down, like they did against us earlier this year, but I would be shocked if they kept it close enough to make it a game. The 7-10 has two struggling teams with Virginia Tech and Missouri, both snuck in the tournament, but I can see VT winning due to size in the post and no one in the Big 12 knowing how to handle it. Georgia should be Marist with Humphrey controlling inside. Temple will struggle, but should pull away in the end to beat Hartford.
Second Round:Duke should be able to beat Southern California or USF with their defense and speed. I also see MSU getting past Kentucky. MSU has experience even though Mickie DeMoss will be looking to avenge her buddy Pat's loss to them last year. UConn should walk into the Sweet 16 as should Georgia based on size and speed.
Sweet 16:Duke has too many weapons for MSU, which relies on Shimek and Bowen. It will be close, but Duke should win. I can see Georgia upsetting UConn with a quick tempo, but the crowd will be a factor and Georgia will have to not give up when they build a lead like they have down against Tennessee.
Elite Eight:Duke's post players are too much for Georgia's Tasha Humphrey and their guards can match up with the Bulldogs easily. Duke needs to have Waner and Harding show up or they could go home before the Final 4.

San Antonio Regional
First Round: LSU should ease into round 2 and probably play Minnesota. Minnesota hasn't been playing well lately, but I think they have the defense and the ability to knock off the Huskies of Washington. NC State and DePaul should meet in round 2, DePaul more than NC State since Liberty's amazon girl is in the WNBA this year. It will be interesting to see if State shakes off last year's first round blunder. I can see FSU struggling with La Tech as FSU has played 1 game in two weeks and they had one of the easier ACC schedules. LaTech is on a roll and have played several big name opponents. Stanford should have no problem with SE Missouri State if Wiggins plays her game and Brooke Smith hits her hook shot. I got Iowa over BYU since the Hawkeyes feel like they have something to prove since people don't think they belong. Courtney Paris should have another 20-20 game against Pepperdone to move Oklahoma to round 2.
Second Round: LSU moves on to the Sweet 16 as UW has no one who can guard Fowles and the Tigers already beat Minnesota by 20 earlier this year. DePaul also advances thanks to their 3-pt shooting. State doesn't defend those well and Khara Smith will be a load in the paint for DePaul. Stanford beats either FSU or LaTech with their talent and will face Oklahoma since Iowa can't run with the Sooners.
Sweet 16:Khara Smith showed last year she doesn't do well against taller players and Fowles is too big for her to push around. LSU wins and gets ready for Oklahoma as Paris is too big for Brooke Smith and Stanford lacks the post presence.
Elite 8: Oklahoma vs. LSU comes down to which team has a third player step up. LSU should win based on experience, but if Fowles gets in foul trouble and Augustus is called on to try and win the game, Oklahoma could start a string of 4 straight Final Fours.

Cleveland
First Round: Carolina rolls into round two to face Louisville who is too much for the collapsing Vanderbilt. UCLA ends Bowling Green's winning streak with their speed and their guards and will face Purdue who uses defense and outside shooting to beat Missouri State. A&M advances over TCU, while Rutgers struggles early with Dartmouth's 3-pt shooting but wins in the end. George Washington defeats ODU at home and gets ready to play Tennessee for the second time this year.
Second Round:Carolina goes to the Sweet 16 by running up and down the court on Louisville. Purdue meets them there, by stopping penetration and using defense to hold off UCLA. Rutgers defense is too much for A&M's slow down offense and they play Tennessee for the second straight year in the dance.
Sweet 16:Carolina once again uses speed to win and advance to the Elite 8. Boosted by the addition of Hornbuckle and their height Tennessee goes to the Elite 8.
Elite 8Hornbuckle and Parker can't prevent Latta from going coast to coast all game, while Carolina's relentless attack on the glass is too much for the UT post players.

Albuquerque
First Round: Davenport has a field day against Oakland to move on to round 2. B.C. loses to it's old Big East foe due to a return to the slow down game and their lack of motivation the last month of the season. Utah wins over MTSU ending their string of first round upsets. Arizona State's defense and shooting sends SFA home early. Florida beats New Mexico, but in a close game and Baylor defeats Northern Arizona with their speed. St. John's Kia Wright is too much for Cal to handle as the Red Storm win their first Tournament game in a long time (maybe ever).
Second Round:Davenport is too tall for either B.C. or ND and OSU defense is better than anything else they have seen. Arizona State's defense puts them over the top in essentially a home game against Utah. Florida leads for most of the game, but Sophia Young takes over and Baylor goes to the Sweet 16 again.
Sweet 16: ASU's 2-3 zone doesn't contain OSU and they advance to the Elite 8.

***Note Maryland was left out since I will do a preview of each game** I think they have a shot at the Final Four, but they must play smart, in control and not go through scoring droughts.

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