Slow Rib's pick for this year's Cinderella story of ncaa tournament may come as a surprise to most people. It goes against a few very very popular selections in this tournament. First, start with what people are assuming and certain common hot topics.
The "weak" South Region
It is widely recognized, and was predicted early in the NCAA Basketball season, that this year is a relatively weak year in college basketball. There is/are not the dominant team(s) that we have seen in recent years See UNC circa 2009. That said, this parity in the tournament makes it possible for ANYONE to make it to the final four. CBS has made such a big deal about the "Overall #1 Seed", and convinced most people that Kansas is unbeatable (except by #9 seed Louisville...TWICE). Most analysts have stated that the South Region of the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Bracket is the weakest region and have continuously stated that Duke has the easiest road to the final 4 out of any number 1 seed. What should be taken into consideration here is that Duke is questionable as a number 1 seed; see West Virginia, Ohio State. Duke has not really been tested this year in a weak ACC, and should be considered a number 2 at best. So, lets assume Duke is one of 5 "number 2" seeds. This indicates that there is no clear favorite or best team in the South Region.
Texas A & M
Hidden in the "weak" South Region is #5 seed Texas A & M. While I am not discounting Utah State (who I believe is the second best team in this region), Texas A & M's REAL strength of schedule will help them prevail against Utah State. Utah State is a team who has not really been tested on a consistent basis. If they can get past #12 Utah State, Texas A & M will be in the Final 4 in Indianapolis.
The "Real" Strength of Schedule
Texas A & M played 15 games this season against teams in the field of 64. All 15 of these games were played against teams seeded #11 or higher (the #11 seed being Minnesota, who I believe is underseeded). 7 of these games were against teams seeded #3 or higher!!!!!!!!!!! (albeit, they lost 6 of those). TA&M went 5-3 against teams seeded 4-11 in this year's tournament (they also did not lose to anyone who did not make the tournament). They have been tested this year, and their record shows they have learned from these experiences.
The teams that stand in their way of the final 4 are Purdue (no Hummel!!), Duke (if they can get by Louisville), and Baylor/Nova (TA&M has already seen Baylor this year and has beaten them). None of these teams have had the schedule of Texas A&M and are playing as well as Texas A&M is right now. It appears as though Texas A&M really has the easiest road to the final four in Indianapolis out of the South Region.
They are ripe for a fun to Indianapolis.
The "weak" South Region
It is widely recognized, and was predicted early in the NCAA Basketball season, that this year is a relatively weak year in college basketball. There is/are not the dominant team(s) that we have seen in recent years See UNC circa 2009. That said, this parity in the tournament makes it possible for ANYONE to make it to the final four. CBS has made such a big deal about the "Overall #1 Seed", and convinced most people that Kansas is unbeatable (except by #9 seed Louisville...TWICE). Most analysts have stated that the South Region of the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Bracket is the weakest region and have continuously stated that Duke has the easiest road to the final 4 out of any number 1 seed. What should be taken into consideration here is that Duke is questionable as a number 1 seed; see West Virginia, Ohio State. Duke has not really been tested this year in a weak ACC, and should be considered a number 2 at best. So, lets assume Duke is one of 5 "number 2" seeds. This indicates that there is no clear favorite or best team in the South Region.
Texas A & M
Hidden in the "weak" South Region is #5 seed Texas A & M. While I am not discounting Utah State (who I believe is the second best team in this region), Texas A & M's REAL strength of schedule will help them prevail against Utah State. Utah State is a team who has not really been tested on a consistent basis. If they can get past #12 Utah State, Texas A & M will be in the Final 4 in Indianapolis.
The "Real" Strength of Schedule
Texas A & M played 15 games this season against teams in the field of 64. All 15 of these games were played against teams seeded #11 or higher (the #11 seed being Minnesota, who I believe is underseeded). 7 of these games were against teams seeded #3 or higher!!!!!!!!!!! (albeit, they lost 6 of those). TA&M went 5-3 against teams seeded 4-11 in this year's tournament (they also did not lose to anyone who did not make the tournament). They have been tested this year, and their record shows they have learned from these experiences.
The teams that stand in their way of the final 4 are Purdue (no Hummel!!), Duke (if they can get by Louisville), and Baylor/Nova (TA&M has already seen Baylor this year and has beaten them). None of these teams have had the schedule of Texas A&M and are playing as well as Texas A&M is right now. It appears as though Texas A&M really has the easiest road to the final four in Indianapolis out of the South Region.
They are ripe for a fun to Indianapolis.
