NCAA Bracket 2011: Why the Southeast Is the Easiest Region

The Southeast region is filled with uncertainty.  The Pittsburgh Panthers sit at the top, yet there was a lot of debate whether they even deserved a number one seed this year.

Florida, BYU and Wisconsin follow the seeding in that order.  When you look at these teams though, it seems like there is something missing.  Florida is the number two seed here—really? 

BYU suspended their second best scorer, and Wisconsin has look sub par recently.  The Southeast region has some good teams, but overall it appears to be the weakest region of the four.   

1) Worst Top Seeds

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - MARCH 13: Kenny Boynton #1 of the Florida Gators shoots against the Kentucky Wildcats in the championship game of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 13, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh was the most disputable number one seed.  They didn't even make it to the semifinals of the Big East tournament.  Every other number one seed won fairly convincingly.  The Panthers looked strong throughout the season, but there is clearly some concern as to how far they can make it.

Florida is the number two seed?  I say this questioningly due to the fact that they lost to Kentucky in the SEC finals and then received a seed two spots above the Wildcats.  Florida beat Kentucky once this season, and Vanderbilt three times.  Other than that, they have not seen many tough teams, and I am not even sure I would consider Vanderbilt tough.  The Gators rank 106th in the nation in assists.  They will need to play better team ball to advance in this tournament.

BYU had a great year as Jimmer Fredette put up almost 29 points a game.  Yet with the recent suspension of Brandon Davies, the Cougars are starting to be doubted.  The team looked dreadful in their conference championship against San Diego State.  Jimmer is obviously going to have a target on his back every game.  They will have to find ways to win without a freak performance from him every night.

The Wisconsin Badgers seemed like a team that everyone should watch out for up until their final two games of the season.  They were crushed by Ohio State in Columbus, and they followed up that embarrassment by shooting 29 percent against Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament.  A 36-33 loss to Penn State?  Who knows what to make of the Badgers heading into the Big Dance.

2) Few Clear Favorites

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

SPOKANE, WA - MARCH 19: Brian Green #12 of the Utah St. Aggies drives against Khris Middleton #22 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Spokane Arena on March 19, 2010 in Spokane, Washington. (Ph

Other than the Pittsburgh Panthers, I really don't see many clear cut winners in all of the games in this region.  People are already taking Belmont and Utah State to be their big upsets this year.  Who is going to emerge from this region as the top team? 

Like I mentioned in the last slide, Florida was overrated in their seeding, and BYU looked lost in their last game.  Picking either team to go to the Sweet Sixteen is honestly a tough decision.  St. John's has really come on strong as their season has progressed, with convincing wins over UConn, Duke and Notre Dame.  It would not surprise me at all if they beat BYU in the second round.  

Belmont is the big 13 over four favorite for this tournament.  Currently on a 12-game win streak, the Bruins will take on a wavering Wisconsin team that put up just 33 points in their final game of the season.  

Utah State is another interesting choice by the committee.  The Aggies went 30-3 and to many were considered higher than a 12 seed.  They take on Kansas State, a team that seems like they have figured things out as well, but also can be erratic.  

Good luck to all of you filling out your bracket when it comes to the Southeast region.  It should be interesting to see what the outcome is.    

3) One Real Standout Player

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 12: Jimmer Fredette #32 of the Brigham Young University Cougars shoots a jump shot during the championship game of the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament against the San Diego State Aztecs at the Thomas & Mack Cen

It has been said that the upcoming NBA draft will have very little talent.  You can see how this might be true by looking at Southeast region.

Jimmer Fredette is clearly the standout player from this part of the bracket.  He has amazed everyone this year with shifty drives down the lane and ridiculous off-balanced NBA threes.  When you look past him though there are not many stars in the region.  

Jacob Pullen was a preseason All-American, along with Fredette.  He has been a top scorer for Kansas State but has failed to show up in some big games, like when he went 1-12 shooting against Duke with just 4 points.  

Past these two who is left? Ashton Gibbs is a great shooter but doesn't seem to get the attention he deserves.  Jordan Taylor and Jon Leuer are both talented players for Wisconsin.  No one else really stands out though as someone who takes over a game.

We saw Kemba Walker dominate the Big East tournament.  We have seen Nolan Smith and Jared Sullinger put up some great performances as well.  These names are those you think of when you think game changers.  I'm not saying the players in the Southeast region are not talented, because there is definitely a handful of great players, but there seems to be a lack of superstars that would seem to be above the rest of the field.  

4) Coaching

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: head coach Jamie Dixon of the Pittsburgh Panthers looks on from the bench against the Connecticut Huskies during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison

Tom Izzo and Billy Donovan are the first names that come to mind when you look at the Southeast.  Both have won national championships.  They are the only ones who have done so in this region.  

There are a lot of good coaches in this tournament, but some have failed to make it to the next step.  Jamie Dixon has had several outstanding teams at Pittsburgh, but he has failed to get them past the Elite Eight.  Many people think this year is a year where he needs to prove himself.  I doubt Pitt will change things anytime soon, but it would be nice for Dixon to break into the Final Four. 

Bo Ryan won championships at Wisconsin-Platteville, but that was Division III ball.  He has been a terrific coach for the Badgers and has never made it past the Elite Eight either.  His team has been bounced early rather often in past tournaments.  You might recall the big loss they suffered to the Stephen Curry ten seed of Davidson a few years ago.

Dave Rose with BYU has never made it past the second round.  Frank Martin took Kansas State to the Elite EIght last year.  This season had so much more promise at the beginning of the year.  Now it looks like Kansas State will struggle to make it to the Sweet Sixteen.  

Again Izzo and Donovan lead this region in prestige, but Michigan State barely made it in this year, and Florida has not played very many tough games this year.  We will see how it plays out.