**- As a message to my friends, family and employers (well, wait, scratch that last one): For the next month, do not approach me and talk to me about anything but college hoops.**OK, disclaimer’s out of the way. Welcome to this week’s episode.But seriously, is there any better four-week stretch one sport has during the entire calendar year? Now is the time when college students trade in their seats in classrooms for seats in the recliners at home to watch 11 a.m. tip-offs. It’s the time when one poor sap in the office is about to get suckered into having to track and tally 80 gajabillion brackets, including the inevitable entries scrawled so incoherently that you can’t tell if it reads ‘Missouri State’ or ‘Minestrone Soup’. It’s also the time where college sports fans all over the country can rejoice in the fact that at least one of the NCAA’s major moneymaking sports does it the right way in the postseason. None of that BCS, computerized, synthesized filth.Even more fun than filling out the brackets, however, is predicting how they’re going to look, and that’s where KU has been a hot topic as of late.While many say the Jayhawks are without question the hottest team in college hoops, some, such as ESPN’s Joe Lunardi in [Tuesday’s Bracketology][1], still have the Jayhawks as a No. 2 seed.It’s tricky, because everyone wants to talk about the supposed injustices of the NCAA Tournament field more than a week before it can even logically be set. People tend to let those conference tournaments get lost in the mix between late-regular season marquee matchups and Selection Sunday.So why not get in on the act?**- Here’s a few predictions on the NCAA Tournament** before the field is close to set:**_- Here’s some teams who we already know will be seeded far too high_** based on reputation alone: [Duke][2], [Michigan State][3], [Arizona][4] and [Wisconsin][5].**Reasoning**: Funny Michigan State is here based on what I like to call my ‘Michigan State Theory.’ That theory has to do with Top-25 polls, more or less. There’s certain teams, such as the Spartans, who year-in and year-out climb much higher than anyone expected in the polls early on in the season. Their early rankings are truly deserved, because they find success in tougher-than-normal non-conference schedules.But these teams also then lose six or seven games before they dare fall out of the Top 25. Therefore, they’re still in everyone’s minds late in the season when they go on an improbable run, such as the ones being enjoyed right now by Michigan State and Syracuse. Duke’s a solid team. Michigan State is so-so, and after watching Arizona play a few times, they look ripe for a first-weekend exit, guaranteed.Wisconsin’s now more interesting than ever. With the [injury to Brian Butch][6], immediate comparisons come to the Cincinnati team which entered the tournament in Kenyon Martin’s senior year after Martin broke his leg during the conference tournament, yet still got a much higher seed than it should have been given at the time. True to form, they folded pretty early. Wisconsin takes a blow with Butch’s absence, but don’t forget, they still have the Big Ten’s best player in [Alando Tucker][7]. Though with Butch’s injury, they might have trouble earning a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. That doesn’t mean they won’t still get it over someone maybe more deserving.**_- How about the teams who will get seeded far too low?_**: [Winthrop][8], [Marist][9] , [East Tennessee State][10] and [Vermont][11].**Reasoning**: The one snag with the tournament and its seeding process is that the NCAA can’t seem to come to terms with the fact that mid-majors are now getting closer to the same playing field as the BCS conference teams. Quick analogy – About a month ago, I was visiting my family up in Ann Arbor, Mich. I went to the gym to play one-on-one basketball with my cousin, Jay. He’s 15 and plays JV hoops at Huron High School up there, and we’ve played one-on-one since he was 11. Safe to say he’d never beaten me. Anyways, I won the first game, he won the second game and we decided to make it best of three. I can honestly say that skill-wise, he’s evolved into a much better player than I am. The kid can shoot, he can attack the rim and he’s just got basketball smarts. But I still have one distinct advantage on him: About 30 pounds of body weight.I basically threw my weight around in the rubber game and ultimately beat him (He might be better than me, but he’s got to at least get his driver’s license before I let him rub it in my face by beating me best two out of three. Besides, I’m sure he’ll do on a regular basis in a few years when he’s in a Michigan uniform).Isn’t that kind of how the NCAA is? They can simply seed mid-majors lower than they might deserve because, frankly, they can. Most of the time, the lower seedings are legit. Sometimes the mid-majors get hosed a bit.Winthrop is 14-0 in the Big South this year, [lost by seven at North Carolina][12] after leading by eight at halftime, and [fell by three at Wisconsin][13]. The Eagles also won a made-for-TV Bracket Buster contest over tourney-bound Missouri State, [77-66][14]. The lone major blemish on their schedule is a [20-point loss at Texas A&M][15].They have size, depth, length and six players scoring at least 7.7 points per game.As for Marist, the Red Foxes don’t have the resume of Winthrop, with just one win over a name-brand opponent, and even at that, the opponent was a lowly Minnesota squad.But the Red Foxes have the talent to knock off some of the big dogs. [Ryan Stilphen][16] and [James Smith][17] are a legit 6-foot-8 and 7-foot combo, respectively, up front, and put up the numbers to go with the size. The senior backcourt of [Will Whittington][18] and [Jared Jordan][19] is boosted by Jordan’s phenomenal numbers – 17.7 ppg, 8.9 apg, 6.1 rpg.I’d say even if they didn’t win their respective conference tournaments, Marist and Winthrop would be more than deserving of at-large bids. But that’s where the analogy comes into play. They just don’t have enough weight to throw around, even though they’re potential CBS darlings, just like [George Mason][20] was a year ago. If I’m the powers that be, I’m wanting to squeeze two or three more potential Cinderellas in there every year. After all, storylines help ratings, right? Everyone loves a miracle.As for ETSU, I watched them once earlier this year, and their record isn’t particularly sparkling, but man, is that team athletic to another degree. They just have a swagger to them which would make for a good 2-seed vs. 15-seed matchup.Vermont is from an underrated America East Conference, and has a [whooping of Boston College][21] on its resume to go with a 15-1 league record. Remember, this league’s contribution to the tournament last year was [Albany][22], who nearly upset Connecticut in the first round.**_Which major conference team will fold in the first round?_** [Alabama][23].Actually, the Crimson Tide is really no longer a lock to even get in. After being swept for the season by Auburn, Alabama is now left at 6-8 in the SEC, needing to probably beat Ole Miss and Mississippi State to finish the regular season with a tournament spot locked down.The thing is, this team has dealt with so much off the court this season, and nothing that involves breaking the law. You’ve got to feel for the Crimson Tide players. To go all that in-depth with it would take far too long, but this team is kind of a mess heading down the stretch run. You’ve got to give them credit for finishing out the season in one piece. If they get into the tournament still, who knows how long they’ll be able to hang around. My guess is for _maybe_ a cup of coffee. More than likely just long enough to check into the team hotel.**_Which major conference team is poised for a big run?_** [Tennessee][24].To be fair, I’ve been saying this for a couple of weeks now, even as I watch them wallop [Florida][25] on ESPN.This team kind of got screwed last year as a No. 2 seed. When they lost early, everyone was able to point out and say “I told you so.” Had they made a run, they wouldn’t have gotten nearly as much credit as they deserved because, well, No. 2 seeds are supposed to go deep into the tournament.This year, they’re peaking late instead of early, and the Vols have far more depth than they did a year ago.[Junior Chris Lofton][26] is a known quantity, as one of the country’s top shooters and a near-lock for 20 points a game. He’s eclipsed the 30-point barrier six times this year, he’s fearless and everything you could ever want in a go-to guy.Bruce Pearl’s recruiting class has been phenomenal, with the freshman trio of [Ramar Smith][27], [Duke Crews][28] and [Wayne Chism][29] combining for 28.1 points per game.Finally, there’s [Dane Bradshaw][30], who is a Russell Robinson-type ‘glue guy,’ which every team poised for a deep tourney run needs.What’s even more amazing is how well they’re playing now after dropping five of their first eight SEC games. They’ve now won six of seven.And, honestly, how could you not like Bruce Pearl? He’s like the crazy uncle who’s completely harmless, yet so embarrassing that you can do nothing but laugh and applaud his ability to have no shame.**_So who are the No. 1 seeds as of this point in time?_**[Ohio State][31], [Kansas][32], Wisconsin and [UCLA][33].Ohio State won’t be the most scrutinized No. 1 seed, but they oughta be. It took the Buckeyes until Jan. 13 to beat a ranked opponent after three failed tries against Top-6 teams. They’ve only won two contests against ranked opponents all year. Sure, [Greg Oden][34], is a god, but his team is as much of a paper champion as Union Kane was in [Rocky V][35].Kansas I think is the only no-brainer at the moment, because they’re naturally the hottest team in all of college basketball, and it will probably take just short of a tornado to keep the Jayhawks from playing on Sunday at the Big 12 Tournament. Plus, Florida and [North Carolina][36] taking late-season nose dives doesn’t hurt KU.Wisconsin we’ve already covered somewhat, but they almost deserve it just for being one of college basketball’s two best teams all year, in this opinion. They’ve been so consistent, and it’s hard to argue that with Brian Butch not getting injured Sunday, the Badgers might have knocked off Ohio State.UCLA is one of those teams that you just hate to pull for, because every time I’ve seen them play, they are just so boring and methodical. But they do it in such sound fashion, that if you like old school hoops at all, you’ve got to appreciate it. They are the only team from last year’s Final Four playing well right now, and they’ve done it all year. They deserve it, and an extra gold star for not being too flashy in doing so. Plus, how can you not love the name [Luc Richard Mbah a Moute][37]. He’s a decent player, too. Don’t discredit that.**-Before getting to this week’s YouTube delights**, some love needs to be thrown in the direction of KU women’s basketball senior team manager Shelby Scholz.While walking through at the end of the team’s practice Tuesday in Allen Fieldhouse, I spotted Scholz, who runs during practices with the squad, donning a KU warmup top and Missouri shorts. KU, of course, finishes its regular season Thursday night in Columbia, Mo.I asked him what was with wearing those, and he said ‘Gotta get them motivated.’ That’s what you call a team manager who’s in it for more than just a resume builder.**- Now, as always, some YouTube fun**.**- _[This one][38] is awesome. Creighton players Nate Funk and Nick Bahe, a Kansas transfer_**, on a local cable station up in Nebraska did a five-minute bit where they interviewed one another. Bahe, who it’s obvious has one heckuva television career awaiting him after graduation, was asked by Funk to show off his impressions of college coaches. Included is KU coach Bill Self. Good stuff. He also impersonates Coach K and Dana Altman.**_- Plenty of people have already pointed this out_**, but how odd is it that teams who won the National Championships in 2002 and 2003 just a few years later stormed the court in back-to-back days? [Maryland][39] did it after beating UNC Sunday, and [Syracuse][40] started the week by beating Georgetown on Big Monday and nearly breaking the floor.**_- I can never get enough_** of [this one][41].**_- If you don’t watch_ [The Office][42] _on NBC_**, you’re missing out. For a sports fan, [this scene][43] sums up the show’s genius.**_-Finally, I’m making it a tradition_** to leave the blog every week with a favorite movie scene of mine. [Here’s a goodie][44] for this episode. By the way, if you were between the ages of 12 and 25 when this movie came out, and to this day you can honestly say that you don’t imitate this routine every time a basket of dinner rolls is in front of you at a meal, well, then, you’re lying. Nothing more to it.Until next week, take care.**_KUSports.com editor Ryan Greene can be reached at rgreene@ljworld.com, or by phone at (785) 832-6357._** [1]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology [2]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=150 [3]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=127 [4]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=12 [5]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=275 [6]: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?slug=ap-t25-wisconsin-butch&prov=ap&type=lgns [7]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=12288 [8]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2737 [9]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2368 [10]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2193 [11]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=261 [12]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=263190153 [13]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=263380275 [14]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=270472623 [15]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=270020245 [16]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=15989 [17]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=27916 [18]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=15986 [19]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=15988 [20]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2244 [21]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=263170103 [22]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=399 [23]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=333 [24]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2633 [25]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=57 [26]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=22114 [27]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=31523 [28]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=31524 [29]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=31522 [30]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=15365 [31]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=194 [32]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=2305 [33]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=26 [34]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=31545 [35]: http://imdb.com/title/tt0100507/ [36]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/clubhouse?teamId=153 [37]: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=26896 [38]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcFNR-BmsD4 [39]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRjafUk88zc [40]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBNByRoOUw0 [41]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HozY8A3_Yro [42]: http://imdb.com/title/tt0386676/ [43]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oREfMCiM9VU [44]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ00HoLZFFE
