NCAA Bracket 2011 Predictions: Breaking Down the Southeast Region
The brackets are out, so let the debate begin.
Whose got the easiest draw? Whose got the hardest draw? Who got left out and who snuck in?
Those are all questions that will have many subjective answers. All that is really left to do is analyze each bracket and break down who is who and what chances they have.
Here is a look at the Southeast bracket with a break down of all 17 teams from top to bottom.
No. 1- Pitt
1 of 17
Record: 27-5
Conference: Big East
Key Players: Brad Wanamaker, Ashton Gibbs
Prediction: The Panthers are solid and certainly capable of making the Final Four. They will likely face some challenges from some teams that aren't household names.
That being said, their path appears pretty clear and they should be headed to the Final Four barring some upset or let-down.
No. 2- Florida
2 of 17
Record: 26-7
Conference: SEC
Key Players: Kenny Boynton, Erving Walker, Chandler Parsons
Prediction: No two seed is being more criticised than Florida. They lose twice to Kentucky in as many weeks and still get a No. 2 seed to the Wildcats No. 4 seed.
Still they are where they are and should be able to get a win or two, but they are certainly not a lock in any game, including the first one.
No. 3- BYU
3 of 17
Record: 30-4
Conference: Mountain West
Key Players: Jimmer Fredette, Jackson Emery
Prediction: Few teams have a player like Jimmer Fredette, but few teams were hurt by the loss of only one player more than BYU.
The Cougars lost Brandon Davies its best interior player to suspension and haven't been able to recover.
They've slipped from a possible No. 1 seed to a No. 3 seed, and they could have their hands full with Wofford.
Fredette could carry them past the Terriers, but they may have a hard time moving much further.
No. 4- Wisconsin
4 of 17
Record: 23-8
Conference: Big Ten
Key Players: Jon Leuer, Jordan Taylor
Prediction: The Badgers have shown they can knock off the likes of Ohio State, but they may find some difficulty disposing of Belmont.
Wisconsin must not overlook its second-round matchup and dictate tempo from the tip to avoid getting knocked off.
If they can, they could be a serious contender to Pitt in the upper half of the Southeast bracket.
No. 5- Kansas State
5 of 17
Record: 22-10
Conference: Big 12
Key Players: Jacob Pullen, Rodney McGruder
Prediction: The Wildcats have had a roller coaster season. They started at the top, fell hard and have begun a resurgence.
Will it be enough though to make a run?
If Pullen can play consistently well and get some help from McGruder and Curtis Kelly, they could be dangerous. If not, the Wildcats could bow out early.
No. 6- St. John's
6 of 17
Record: 21-11
Conference: Big East
Key Players: Dwight Hardy, Justin Brownlee
Prediction: St. John's is back in the tournament for the first time since 2002. How long they stay is entirely up to them.
They have shown they can beat the big dogs and are athletic and veteran enough to make a deep run. But will the lack of tournament experience hold them back?
We will all get an idea based on how they play against Gonzaga. If they can beat the Bulldogs, they could make some noise and go as far as the Sweet 16.
No. 7- UCLA
7 of 17
Record: 22-10
Conference: Pac 10
Key Players: Reeves Nelson, Malcolm Lee
Prediction: The Bruins are back where they belong, though not seeded as highly has they've historically been.
They are a good team, but not one that appears built for a long tourney run. Don't be surprised to see them win their second-round game against a weaker Michigan State team or even what appears to be a weak No. 2 seed in Florida.
But to go much further or even beat Florida, they'd have to catch fire in a big way.
No. 8- Butler
8 of 17
Record: 23-9
Conference: Horizon
Key Players: Matt Howard, Shelvin Mack, Ronald Nored
Prediction: The Bulldogs aren't the same team they were last year and find themselves with much less hype heading into the NCAA tournament.
They are in the 8/9 game which typically can go either way. Unless they can catch lightening in a bottle a second time, it most likely will be a short stay.
They may win one game but not likely two.
No. 9- Old Dominion
9 of 17
Record: 27-6
Conference: Colonial
Key Players: Kent Bazemore, Frank Hassell
Prediction: ODU isn't new to the tournament, and they have been a team that was in the discussion to be in the tournament whether they won the Colonial Conference Title or not.
They are just that good.
As the No. 9 seed, they get to play in the toss up 8/9 matchup game with the chance to play Pitt in the third round if they can knock off last year's Cinderella, Butler.
Don't sleep on ODU; they could be a team that could surprise some people.
No. 10- Michigan State
10 of 17
Record: 19-14
Conference: Big 10
Key Players: Kalin Lucas, Draymond Green
Prediction: The Spartans are lucky to get into the tournament this year after a very disappointing season that was filled with early season expectations.
They are also lucky to get as high a seed as No. 10, but things won't be easy for the Spartans and don't be surprised if their stay is short.
But don't be surprised if Tom Izzo weaves so more of his black magic either.
No. 11- Gonzaga
11 of 17
Record: 24-9
Conference: West Coast
Key Players: Robert Sacre, Steven Gray
Prediction: It has been a while since the Bulldogs have carried such a high seed and was seen as a team that could pull off an upset.
For the better part of the last decade, the Zags have been the ones having to be upset. This season saw them fall from the land of the elite, but that doesn't mean St. John's who is just getting back into the tournament should sleep on them.
No. 12- Utah State
12 of 17
Record: 30-3
Conference: WAC
Key Players: Tai Wesley, Brockeith Pane
Prediction: This is another higher seed in the Southeast bracket that could give its higher seed matchup trouble.
Utah State comes out of the WAC with an impressive record and could give Kansas St. trouble if the Wildcats bring the earlier season version of themselves. Look out for a potential upset.
No. 13- Belmont
13 of 17
Record: 30-4
Conference: Atlantic Sun
Key Players: Ian Clark, Mick Hedgepeth
Prediction: If there is any 13 seed to not sleep on it would be Belmont. The Bruins aren't that unfamiliar with playing against seemingly overwhelming odds.
This time around they aren't playing Duke, though they narrowly lost to the Blue Devils a few years back in the first round.
The Bruins can run the floor, and if Wiconsin can't dictate the pace and play more of a physical game, the Badgers could be going home early.
No. 14- Wofford
14 of 17
Record: 21-12
Conference: Southern
Key Players: Noah Dahlman, Cameron Rundles
Prediction: They may not be from a power conference and they may not be but a 14 seed, but don't sleep on Wofford.
BYU may struggle with the Terriers if they can't put them away early. Like most underdogs, the Cougars are going to need to not let them stay in the game. This game is far from a give-me.
No. 15- UC Santa Barbara
15 of 17
Record: 18-13
Conference: Big West
Key Players: Orlando Johnson, James Nunnally
Prediction: With all due respect to Jim Rome's alma mater, there is very little chance that the Gauchos will win its matchup with No. 2 seed Florida.
It isn't impossible, a No. 2 seed has lost before, but this is probably not the year even if Florida is the weakest No. 2 seed in the tournament.
No. 16- UNC-Asheville/Arkansas Little Rock
16 of 17
Record: UNC-A (19-13)/ Arkansas Little Rock(19-16)
Conference: UNC-A (Big South) Arkansas Little Rock (Sun Belt)
Key Players: UNC-A (Matt Dickey, JP Primm) Arkansas Little Rock (Solomon Bozeman)
Prediction: Make no mistake regardless of what the NCAA wants to call this, it really is a play-in game. The winner gets to be the sacrificial lamb for No. 1 seed Pitt.
This could be a good game between two evenly matched teams, but the winner doesn't have much life in this tournament.
Bracket Predictions
17 of 17
The Southeast bracket is arguably the easiest bracket for the No. 1 seed Pittsburgh, and it is theirs to lose.
There is a lot of potential for upsets in this bracket though. Belmont, Wofford and St. John's are all teams to keep an eye out for.
Don't be surprised to see a Sweet 16 featuring Pitt, Wisconsin, Florida and St. John's with the Panthers ultimately coming out on top.
