2010 NCAA Tournament Bracket Prognostication

Just because it is tradition, here is my final bracket prognostication for the 2010 NCAA Tournament:

Midwest (1):
1. Kansas
2. Georgetown
3. Purdue
4. Tennessee
5. Maryland
6. BYU
7. Oklahoma St
8. Notre Dame
9. St. Mary's
10. ODU
11. UTEP
12. Siena
13. Cornell
14. North Texas
15. Vermont
16. Robert Morris

West (4):
1. Duke
2. West Virginia
3. Temple
4. Baylor
5. Butler
6. Michigan St
7. Gonzaga
8. Missouri
9. Louisville
10. San Diego St
11. Goergia Tech
12. Florida
13. Oakland
14. Murray St
15. Lehigh
16. ETSU

East (2):
1. Kentucky
2. Kansas St
3. Villanova
4. New Mexico
5. Texas A&M
6. Richmond
7. Northern Iowa
8. Clemson
9. Marquette
10. Washington
11. Wake Forest
12. Illinois
13. Ohio U
14. UCSB
15. Montana
16. Winthrop vs Ark Pine Bluff

South (3):
1. Syracuse
2. Ohio St
3. Pittsburgh
4. Wisconsin
5. Vanderbilt
6. Texas
7. Xavier
8. FSU
9. Cal
10. UNLV
11. Utah St
12. Houston
13. New Mexico St
14. Wofford
15. Sam Houston St
16. Morgan St

I have the least confidence in Utah State being a part of this tournament of the teams most are projecting in, along with Florida. I really think Illinois gets in based on 5-9 vs the RPI top 50. Utah State, on the other hand, is only 2-1 against the RPI top 50. I think Florida's overall resume is stronger than Utah State, Virginia Tech, or Mississippi St, giving the nod to the Gators. So, for the record, Florida is my last team in, then Minnesota, then Illinois. The first teams out would be Utah State, Virginia Tech, Mississippi St, Seton Hall, & Rhode Island. Also, I just changed my mind six times on Utah State/Minnesota/Florida before settling on the above. It does seem to me that Utah State and Virginia Tech would have good arguments, so 3 out of 5 from the last three in/first two out should be the final bracket.

I will say that I hope the Hokies get in the tournament, I'm just not convinced that such a weak non-conference schedule, combined with the easiest ACC schedule within the league, can be rewarded despite a 23-8/10-6 record. Stressful time for the hoops fans and staff here in Blacksburg.

Merry Bracket Day to you all.