Verb's Sweet Sixteen - 3/2

Today is my birthday and it is snowing here in south central Pennsylvania so what is there better to do then write a blog about college basketball and the NCAA tournament.

NOTHING!

That's right, it's March now and even though I have been writing this post for weeks now, it's time to get serious. I know the fun and hot thing to talk about right now is the bubble and trust me, I love that too, but getting one of the top 4 seeds is a big deal also. Trust me, those teams care just as much about getting a top seed as much as the bubble teams care about getting in.

I can't really spotlight one huge game only because there are so many this time of year. The conference tournaments start this week and well, every game for every team is huge when you talk about the conference tournaments.

The one huge thing that happened for last week's top 16 was Marquette's Dominic James went down with a season-ending injury. Now, it may be a little harsh to drop them out of the sweet sixteen just because of this injury but it's huge. McNeal is still a stud for this team but they have lost their last two, albeit, to Connecticut and Louisville. Should they be dropped out, I'm not sure, I guess we'll see in a little bit.

East (Boston)

1. Pittsburgh - It's now terribly obvious that Dajuan Blair HAS to stay out of foul trouble. Sam Young can score and maybe make up for Blair if he does get in trouble but I don't know if he can do that every time. Blair is the key to this team and if he can stay out of foul trouble, they can win the whole thing.

2. Duke - Even though every game Duke plays seems to be close these days, they keep winning. That's the key during this part of the season is to just win baby! If they can keep doing this they make get lucky and get a 1 seed but I think they only way that happens is either a victory over UNC or a tournament championship.

3. Villanova - The loss to Georgetown hurts but not too badly. If you look at Georgetown's resume, its not that bad. It was considered a home loss but it was at the Wachovia Center, which isn't actually their home floor. This team is still very dangerous in my opinion, so keep an eye out for this team in the Big East tournament.

4. Purdue - They just blew out Ohio State and even though they lost to Michigan, they have a recent victory over Michigan State. They may be a little inconsistent but they still are a solid club that could make a decent run in the tourney.

South (Memphis)

1. North Carolina - If they lose to Duke they could lose the number 1 seed. I don't think they will. The game is in Chapel Hill and well, the only way they lose is if they decide defense doesn't matter AGAIN. If this did plays D, they are great. I feel like a broken record with that.

2. Louisville - They have won 5 in a row, which will probably turn into 7. They will enter the conference tournament on a huge hot streak. This team is really good. I think they only way they get a 1 seed is if they win the conference tourney and Pitt or UConn lose early.

3. Kansas - Big 12 champions in all likelihood. I think that warrants a 3 seed, don't you?

4. LSU - SEC champions in all likelihood. I think that warrants a 4 seed, don't you?

Midwest (Indianapolis)

1. Connecticut - Hasheem Thabeet is a game changer on defense. AJ Price is really good. This team could definitely win the whole thing! It would be hard for this team to lose their number 1 seed. They will be number 1 this evening and that's not hard to lose obviously but that's why they play the games.

2. Michigan State - The Purdue loss is the only one in the last 10. I think of the number 2 seeds, this team is the least likely to move into a number 1 but that doesn't mean they aren't good. Kalin Lucas may be the Big Ten player of the year and he will carry this team deep into the tournament.

3. Wake Forest - This has been a strange team since they had that huge win over Duke. Definitely an up and down team that could definitely win the conference tournament. A number 2 seed definitely isn't out of the question.

4. Missouri - I don't know anything about this team other then I think they are overrated. I expect they can't move up much from here but an early loss in the conference tournament could cause them to move down.

West (Glendale)

1. Oklahoma - Two losses without Blake Griffin doesn't really hurt this team. I love this team and I think a long run in both tournaments are in the future here. I can't see this team losing their number 1 seed.

2. Memphis - What a game it would be if Memphis and Oklahoma played for a spot in the final four. Dozier against Griffin. Evans against Warren. Capel against Calipari. We can only hope, right?

3. Washington - Pac-10 champions deserve a number 3 seed, don't they?

4. Clemson - They were number 16. It came down to Clemson, Gonzaga, Marquette, and Xavier but Clemson got the nod. I don't really have a reason to be honest. I just felt that overall they deserved it the most. I would make Marquette the number 5 seed in the region which would result in a Marquette/Clemson game in the second round. I would pick Clemson right now, so there, there is my reason.

That's all for this week guys. Man, I love this stuff. Oh and in case your thinking about what I am going to do for the rest of my birthday...I am working 12:30 to 10:00.

Boo Ya!