Bracketology 2024: March Madness Predictions (Version 10.6)

Posted on March 16, 2024 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for the latest CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK VIDEO NOTEBOOK

We are only 1 day away from Selection Sunday as we continue to make our NCAA tourney predictions. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel correctly picked 67 of the 68 teams that made the 2023 tourney with 65 of his 67 within 1 spot of their actual seed, including 53 right on the money. He will spend the upcoming days predicting which 68 teams will hear their names called on March 17th. See below for his list of who would make the cut if they picked the field today and if you agree or disagree then feel free to tweet us. To see how he stacks up with other websites (ranked 11th out of 174 entries over the past 5 years), check out: www.bracketmatrix.com

SEED: TEAM (CONFERENCE)
1: Purdue (Big 10)
1: Connecticut (Big East)
1: Houston (Big 12)
1: North Carolina (ACC)

2: Tennessee (SEC)
2: Arizona (Pac-12)
2: Iowa State (Big 12)
2: Marquette (Big East)

3: Baylor (Big 12)
3: Creighton (Big East)
3: Duke (ACC)
3: Kentucky (SEC)

4: Illinois (Big 10)
4: Auburn (SEC)
4: Kansas (Big 12)
4: Alabama (SEC)

5: BYU (Big 12)
5: San Diego State (MWC)
5: South Carolina (SEC)
5: Texas Tech (Big 12)

6: Wisconsin (Big 10)
6: Utah State (MWC)
6: St. Mary’s (WCC): AUTO-BID
6: Clemson (ACC)

7: Florida (SEC)
7: Nevada (MWC)
7: Washington State (Pac-12)
7: Gonzaga (WCC)

8: Dayton (A-10)
8: Boise State (MWC)
8: Texas (Big 12)
8: Colorado State (MWC)

9: Northwestern (Big 10)
9: Nebraska (Big 10)
9: FAU (AAC)
9: Mississippi State (SEC)

10: TCU (Big 12)
10: Michigan State (Big 10)
10: Oklahoma (Big 12)
10: St. John’s (Big East)

11: Colorado (Pac-12)
11: Virginia (ACC)
11: Seton Hall (Big East)
11: New Mexico (MWC)
11: Drake (MVC): AUTO-BID
11: Princeton (Ivy)

12: James Madison (Sun Belt): AUTO-BID
12: Grand Canyon (WAC)
12: South Florida (AAC)
12: VCU (A-10)

13: McNeese (Southland): AUTO-BID
13: Samford (SoCon): AUTO-BID
13: Vermont (America East)
13: Charleston (CAA): AUTO-BID

14: Akron (MAC)
14: Oakland (Horizon): AUTO-BID
14: Morehead State (OVC): AUTO-BID
14: South Dakota State (Summit): AUTO-BID

15: Long Beach State (Big West)
15: Colgate (Patriot): AUTO-BID
15: Longwood (Big South): AUTO-BID
15: UTEP (C-USA)

16: St. Peter’s (MAAC)
16: Montana State (Big Sky): AUTO-BID
16: Stetson (Atlantic Sun): AUTO-BID
16: Wagner (NEC): AUTO-BID
16: Grambling (SWAC)
16: Howard (MEAC)

1ST 4 OUT
Indiana State (MVC)
Oregon (Pac-12)
Providence (Big East)
Texas A&M (SEC)

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Texas A&M Corpus Christi SR Alecia Westbrook

Posted on March 16, 2024 by Jon Teitel

Last Thursday Texas A&M Corpus Christi beat Lamar 68-61 in the Southland women’s tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Islanders only won 6 games in 2021 but 3 years later they are heading to the NCAA tourney for the 1st time in program history. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Texas A&M Corpus Christi SR Alecia Westbrook about her team’s storybook season.

You were born/raised in Missouri: what made you choose Texas A&M-Corpus Christi? I was actually born in New Orleans but raised in Missouri. I was always in the cold so when I came here in the summer and saw the palm trees/weather I decided “Let’s do it!”

You play for Coach Royce Chadwick: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? His patience. I have been around him for 5 years and he makes sure that we understand what he is talking about. He is a great human being as well.

You started 11 games as a freshman and set a school freshman record with 30 BLK: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I just learned from the 8 seniors I had in front of me: they taught me a lot while I got to play against them every day in practice.

Last year you were named conference POY & DPOY: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? It was amazing: I was the 1st person at my school to ever win both awards. I did not expect it and found out when my teammates told me in the weight room.

In the 2023 WNIT you had a double-double (11 PTS/11 REB) in a loss at Wyoming: what did you learn from that loss that you think will help you next week? Just to go out there and play because you never know if you will have another game. You need to leave everything on the line and play your hardest.

Last January you scored a career-high 27 PTS/9-10 FG in a 2-PT win at Incarnate Word: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? I think so. They are a great team and every time we play at their place it seems to be a 1 or 2-PT game.

Last Saturday you became the 9th player in Southland women’s basketball history to be named 1st-team all-conference 3 times: how have you been able to remain so dominant throughout your college career? My coaches/teammates put me in positions to be that type of player, and then I just have to do what they expect me to do.

In the Southland tourney title game on Thursday you scored 17 PTS/6-6 FG in a 7-PT win over Lamar: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most, and what did it mean to you to win a title? It was crazy! Winning the title was unreal: our teammates ran onto the court and Coach Chadwick was able to win another 1 so it was great for our entire community.

You led the league in RPG for 3 straight years from 2021-2023 and FTM for 3 straight years from 2022-2024: what is the secret to being a great rebounder/getting to the FT line? For rebounding it is about tracking the ball early: I know when my teammates will shoot it so I just follow the ball. For FT shooting I try to read the defense, get to the line, and then take my time once I get there.

What kind of seed do you think you deserve, and what kind of seed do you think you will get? I have no idea…but as long as we are playing I am good!

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews McNeese Cowgirl Kicker Maci Quayhagen

Posted on March 16, 2024 by Jon Teitel

Last Wednesday McNeese beat Nicholls State 92-76 in the Southland tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Cowboys have finished with a losing record every single year since 2013 but are now 30-3 and heading to their 1st NCAA tourney since 2002. Yesterday HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with McNeese Cowgirl Kicker Maci Quayhagen about her team’s storybook season.

You are from Leesville, LA: what made you choose McNeese? Ever since I was little I have been coming here for games because my brother played football here. I knew that I always wanted to be a Kicker after watching them on the sideline.

You are majoring in business management: why did you choose that subject? I did not know what I wanted to do at 1st, like most college kids, but I have seen my mom help run a dance studio and my brother owns a gym. They have been very inspiring to me.

You are a senior: what is the post-graduation plan? I am still not ready to let go of dance so I might try out for some other teams. I also started coaching a local AFL team so I will see where dance takes me.

You are the Assistant Director/Choreographer for the AFL Louisiana Voodoo Dolls: how do the pro dancers compare to the college dancers? We are just starting our 1st year but there does not seem to be much of a difference yet: you just cheer on your team.

You have been dancing for most of your life: what is the best part of being on the dance team? Just having that bond between the girls: people say it is “more than dance”…but it is true. We learn/grow together and you will always have your team behind you.

You were a co-captain last year and are captain this year: what is the key to being a good leader? There are some bumps in the road but our coaches make it so easy because they are so welcoming. We are the bridge between the director and the team: it just comes naturally and is a lot of fun.

You have won 5 national dance titles: did you have to build a new trophy room to display all your hardware?! My room at home/closet are full of trophies so that is up to my mom!

You played basketball for 8 years: as someone who understands the sport what has impressed you the most about this year’s Southland tourney champs? Just seeing how the team works together: even during our small glimpses of practice they always cheer each other on without any drama. As someone who loves the sport I think it is awesome.

How does your school decide who gets to go to the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? We were told that 12 members of the spirit squad get to attend: 6 Kickers and 6 cheerleaders. Our 4 seniors will be attending and 1 of our 3 juniors could not make it so the other 2 will go.

Any predictions for next week? I hope that we can win a couple of games and see where that takes us. I am just going to be excited to be there cheering on the Cowboys: it is a dream come true and I cannot wait for the opportunity.

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Championship Week Video Notebook – Day 12

Posted on March 16, 2024 by David Griggs

The Hoops HD Mock Committee has begun it’s selection and seeding process. To see where we are in the process – CLICK HERE

Check out the HOOPS HD SURVIVAL BOARD, which shows who is a lock, who is on the bubble, and who needs the auto-bid

Also, don’t miss our CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT PAGE, which has brackets, times, and viewing information for all 32 conference tourney

Check out our new HOOPS HD TEAM SHEETS AND DEFCON RATINGS for all 362 D1 teams

Finally, be sure to keep an eye on our most recent BRACKET PROJECTIONS

It was another crazy busy day in the world of college basketball. We saw a lot of upsets in the SEC as Mississippi State beat Tennessee and Texas A&M beat Kentucky to help keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. NC State is still alive in the ACC after hitting a crazy shot at the end of regulation to tie the game and then got the win in overtime. The MEAC, SWAC, American, Big West, and WAC also got underway. We discuss all that, preview the 13 conference championships that are taking place tomorrow, update you on the progress of our mock committee, peak in again on what the real committee did today, and update our Survival Board.

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP:

BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP:

ACC CHAMPIONSHIP:

MOUNTAIN WEST CHAMPIONSHIP:

PAC 12 CHAMPIONSHIP:

MAC CHAMPIONSHIP:

WAC CHAMPIONSHIP:

BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIP:

CONFERENCE USA CHAMPIONSHIP:

AMERICA EAST CHAMPIONSHIP:

METRO ATLATNIC CHAMPIONSHIP:

MEAC CHAMPIONSHIP:

SWAC CHAMPIONSHIP:

BIG TEN SEMIFINALS:

SEC SEMIFINALS:

AMERICAN SEMIFINALS:

ATLANTIC 10 SEMIFINALS:

IVY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS:

And for all you radio lovers, below is an audio only version of the show…

Posted in Championship Week Video Notebook, News and Notes, Podcasts, Survival Board, Videocasts | 1 Comment

The Hoops HD Selection Committee – Friday, March 15th

Posted on March 16, 2024 by John Stalica

Tonight was the second night of our Hoops HD Selection Committee meetings via Zoom conference call; we were able to vote more teams into the field in tonight’s voting as well as to begin seeding the top 6 seed lines in the tournament field. The first order of business was to nominate 8 more teams to add to the field (along with carryovers TCU, Colorado State and St. John’s); in this round of voting we added five more teams – Mississippi State, Seton Hall, New Mexico, Indiana State and Florida Atlantic. After each committee member ranked these teams one through eight, we added Colorado State, TCU, St. John’s and Mississippi State to the field. Seton Hall, New Mexico, Indiana State and Florida Atlantic all carried over to the next round of voting.

While we waited for more results to go final, we began the process of seeding the top 6 seed lines in the process. For the first round of voting, we debated and each individual member would nominate their top 12 teams on the Auto-Bid/At-Large board. We then took the top 12 teams and then ranked the teams 1 through 12. As you can see in the board above, our 1-line included UConn, Houston, Purdue and North Carolina; our 2-line included North Carolina, Arizona, Marquette and Iowa State.

The next step was to again have each person nominate their top 12 teams not yet seeded or carried over (the initial round of carryovers included Baylor, Creighton, Illinois and Duke); the top 8 teams would be added to the four carryover teams and we would rank this group of teams 1 through 12. Our 3-line included Baylor, Creighton, Kentucky and Duke; our 4-line included Illinois, Alabama, Kansas and Auburn. (The four carryovers were South Carolina, BYU, Texas Tech, and Saint Mary’s).

We repeated the process one more time to fill out the 5-line and 6-line; the 5-line had BYU, Texas Tech, Utah State and South Carolina; the 6-line had Saint Mary’s, San Diego State, Nevada and Gonzaga. The four teams that will carry over to the next round of seeding will be Florida, Clemson, Boise State and Texas.

After this, we took a break to watch other games go final; as a result of tonight’s games, we were assured of bids opening up in the Big East and Big 10. There is a possibility of bids being stolen out of the ACC thanks to NC State advancing to the ACC Championship as well as the Pac-12 thanks to Colorado and Oregon advancing to the Pac-12 Championship (even a stronger possibility considering both the Buffs and the Ducks remained Under Consideration at the end of the night). At the time this article was posted, New Mexico was leading Colorado State in the Mountain West semifinals – the Lobos could also steal the automatic bid here. Also remember that a bid will likely be stolen out of the Atlantic 10; there is a remote possibility that they could be a 1-bid league if Dayton is voted off the at-large board.

Therefore, we decided to only add two more teams to the at-large board tonight and vote in any remaining teams tomorrow night after more results go final. Each committee member nominated six teams to add for this round of voting; there was a three-way tie between Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Colorado that was broken when Texas A&M and Oklahoma advanced via roll-call vote. Both teams were ranked along with the four carryover teams one through six; Florida Atlantic was finally added to the field on their fourth attempt and Seton Hall was also added to the field. Texas A&M and Oklahoma will carry over to the next round of at-large voting; New Mexico and Indiana State moved back to Under Consideration after failing ot advance on back-to-back votes. There was also a motion to add Oregon to the Under Consideration board that successfully passed, but it was more of a procedural move since the Ducks are basically playing the role of bid thief tomorrow night.

Tomorrow night will be the busiest night for our Committee; we will do a further scrub of the Under Consideration board and entertain any potential motions to move teams off of the At-Large board (for example, Dayton’s at-large spot could potentially be moved back to Under Consideration if there are enough votes to do so). We will do a final round of voting in teams along with any contingency spots (SEC, ACC, Pac-12, Mountain West, American) that can open along the way. We will also finish seeding the rest of the field and do an initial scrub of the seed list to account for game results and debate from our Committee to make any changes that we feel are necessary.

Stay tuned to the website tomorrow to see how our initial seed list plays out!

Posted in Bracketology, CBB, Commentary, News and Notes | Tagged | 1 Comment

All-Access at the ACC Tournament: Semifinal Friday

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Jon Teitel

Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The ACC Tournament is taking place this week in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD will be covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of articles in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage with a recap of the ACC semifinal doubleheader on Friday.

I am running out of new food stands to try so I am reduced to getting different items at places I have already eaten at: mini chicken corndogs and cheese curds.

GAME #1: Pitt-North Carolina
UNC star Armando Bacot did his usual damage inside during the 1st half with a series of layups/dunks but did not get much help from his supporting cast. In contrast, while Pitt G Jaland Lowe was able to make a few shots at the rim, his 7’ teammate Guillermo Diaz Graham knocked down back-to-back threes, and FR Carlton Carrington scored from everywhere (finishing with 16 PTS in the 1st 20 minutes). Pitt headed to halftime with a 35-33 and visions of the NCAA tourney dancing in their head. Carrington cooled off in the 2nd half but Lowe was soaring high with a 3 from the top of the key, and several tough shots in the lane. Pitt hung around for the 1st 30 minutes and then the 2 Tar Heel studs took over. Bacot kept making a bunch of shots inside, highlighted by a gorgeous spin out of a double team that led to a reverse layup. ACC POY RJ Davis had a quiet 1st half but went off in the 2nd half with a trio of trifectas and an old-fashioned and-1, as UNC won it 72-65 and booked a spot in the ACC title game for the 1st time since 2018.

The winning team is often-but-not-always the 1st to appear at the postgame press conference, but tonight Pitt had the honor. As you may be aware, I try to summarize both my question and the person’s answer, but since Pitt coach Jeff Capel decided to take my question and run with it for a few minutes I will present the Q&A in their entirety from the transcript:

Q. If you do not hear your name called on Sunday, do you think it will be due to your non-conference strength of schedule, and if so, will you change your scheduling approach next year?

A: Interesting question. If you look at a lot of the Big 12 teams, they have a lot worse schedules than us. If you look at some of the Big 10 teams that they have projected, their strength of schedule is where ours is or less. Again, coming into this game, us and North Carolina were 12-3 over the last 15 games since January 20th, so I think that shows that we were the 2 best teams in this league over that stretch when we figured things out. Before tonight we had won our last 4 or 5 by an average of 15 points. I don’t look at them (the metrics), but people tell me our metrics are better than they were last year. Our NET, the KenPom stuff, whatever that stuff means, it is better than it was last year. I think our league is better than it was last year. Last year the thing that we heard was that North Carolina and Duke weren’t “North Carolina” and “Duke”. Well, you are talking about a team today in North Carolina that probably is going to be a 1-seed, and Duke will be a 2 or 3-seed. Those teams were top-10 for most of the season, so I do not understand all of it. I do not think it will be because of that, but I do not know. I am not a bracketologist, I am not an expert: I am a basketball coach. I try to worry about my team and I know we have gotten better. I know if you look over the past — since January 20th, I think we have played as well as anyone in college basketball. Last year I remember hearing, well, the early stuff does not count because we had an unbelievable win last year against Northwestern at Northwestern. We beat them by 28 points on the road: they ended up 2nd in the Big 10, so that is a Quad 1 win. We heard, well, that was November or December so it does not matter. Now all I am hearing is our Missouri loss: that was early December. Again, we thought we had a good schedule. We did not know West Virginia would turn out like they did: they were picked high in the Big 12. We did not know that Missouri would not win a game. When we played them, they were pretty good. We did not know they would not win a game in the SEC. We will schedule the way we feel will put us in the best position to win and to get to the NCAA Tournament just like we did this year.

GAME #2: Virginia-NC State
I am sure that it was a great game but I had to finish a few interviews so that is a wrap for tonight, check back tomorrow for the title game as UNC tries to clinch a #1 seed on Selection Sunday.

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