BitterSweetLife

Well, it's clearly time to start up the bracket watch. The official 2009 NCAA Bracket is being developed as we speak, and will be revealed during the Selection Show on Sunday. However, that doesn't keep the nation's best and brightest bracketologists from engaging in some educated speculation.

This take is from ESPN's Joe Lunardi. The text-only bracket doesn't translate to single-column all that well, so you will have to scroll down a ways. Automatic bids are in ALL CAPS, and records are Division I only. I'll add my few, amateurish comments at the bottom.

SOUTH (Memphis)
Greensboro
(1) NORTH CAROLINA (26-3)
(16) MOREHEAD ST (17-15) / OVC
(8) Butler (25-5)
(9) Dayton (25-6)

Portland
(5) Illinois (23-8)
(12) NORTHERN IOWA (22-10) / MVC
(4) UCLA (24-7)
(13) AMERICAN (23-7) / Patriot

Philadelphia
(6) LSU (25-6)
(11) New Mexico (21-10)
(3) Villanova (25-6)
(14) ROBERT MORRIS (24-10) / Northeast

Minneapolis
(7) California (22-9)
(10) UTAH ST (26-4)
(2) Oklahoma (27-4)
(15) CORNELL (19-9) / Ivy

WEST (Arizona)
Dayton
(1) LOUISVILLE (25-5)
(16) CS NORTHRIDGE (14-13) / Big West
(8) Utah (21-8)
(9) Boston College (21-10)

Boise
(5) XAVIER (24-6)
(12) Penn State (21-10)
(4) Missouri (24-6)
(13) NORTH DAKOTA ST (24-6) / Summit

Portland
(6) Tennessee (19-11)
(11) Minnesota (20-9)
(3) WASHINGTON (23-7)
(14) EAST TENN ST (21-10) / Atl Sun

Kansas City
(7) West Virginia (22-10)
(10) Texas A&M (22-8)
(2) MEMPHIS (28-3)
(15) MORGAN ST (20-11) / MEAC

MIDWEST (Indianapolis)
Dayton
(1) Pittsburgh (27-3)
(16) Play-in Game
(8) Oklahoma St (21-10)
(9) Wisconsin (18-11)

Boise
(5) Florida St (23-8)
(12) Arizona (19-12)
(4) GONZAGA (25-5)
(13) CLEVELAND ST (22-10) / Horizon

Greensboro
(6) Syracuse (23-8)
(11) South Carolina (21-8)
(3) Duke (25-6)
(14) BINGHAMTON (21-8) / Amer East

Minneapolis
(7) Texas (21-10)
(10) SIENA (26-7)
(2) MICHIGAN ST (25-5)
(15) PORTLAND ST (20-9) / Big Sky

EAST (Boston)
Philadelphia
(1) Connecticut (27-3)
(16) BOWLING GREEN (16-12) / MAC
(8) BYU (23-6)
(9) Ohio State (20-9)

Miami
(5) Purdue (22-9)
(12) VCU (24-9) / CAA
(4) Clemson (23-7)
(13) WESTERN KENTUCKY (23-8) / Sun Belt

Miami
(6) Arizona St (22-8)
(11) Michigan (18-12)
(3) Wake Forest (24-5)
(14) STEPHEN F. AUSTIN (17-7) / Southland

Kansas City
(7) Marquette (24-8)
(10) UNLV (21-9)
(2) KANSAS (25-6)
(15) RADFORD (18-11) / Big South

As a Big 12 fan, I'm happy to see a total of six Big 12 teams in the bracket: Kansas (2), Oklahoma (2), Missouri (4), Texas (7), Oklahoma St (8), Texas A&M (10). The good news is that the number could swell to seven if Baylor succeeds in running the table and wins the Big 12 Tournament outright.

The bad news is that with yesterday's first round losses to Baylor and Oklahoma St respectively, both Kansas and Oklahoma are likely looking at #3 seeds, if they don't drop down into the bargain basement as #4 seeds. Not quite the finish either team was looking for in the Big 12 Tournament. It's unlikely that KU will be playing in Kansas City at this point.

Some great potential match-ups jump out at me, mostly in the second round. If Pitt (1) met Oklahoma St (8), the nation's top team would have a dogfight on their hands. Likewise with a Duke (3) vs Syracuse (6) face-off. As evidenced in last night's six-OT win over UConn, the Orangemen have some pit bull in them. Then, if Michigan St (2) met Texas (7), I would be tempted to smell an upset and choose the Longhorns. Same deal if West Virginia (7) squared off with Memphis (2). WV always seems to be good for an NCAA upset.

Then, in the third round, UCLA (4) vs UNC (1) would generate a lot of hoopla, and Ty Lawson would face the prospect of being out-quicked by Darren Collison. And Oklahoma vs Villanova (3), where Big 12 superiority could be put on display.

All right, I'm done for now. Keep your eyes open for more promising 2009 NCAA brackets as we approach the selection show. Never hurts to pick a bracket strategy early!

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