Kentucky rings in New Year as overall No. 1 seed

By Jan 1, 2015, 1:26 PM EST
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Here’s your New Year’s Day forecast … the Kentucky Wildcats will be a No. 1 seed when the 2015 Men’s Division I Basketball Championship bracket is unveiled in March.  That shouldn’t come as a surprise.  Thus far, the ultra-talented Wildcats have conquered every challenge.  And while an undefeated season may or may not occur, it’s hard to imagine UK faltering enough to lose its grip on the Midwest region.  We could say similar things about Duke’s hold on the East.  But the Blue Devils’ route through the ACC figures to be a bit more rigorous than the Wildcats’ drive through the SEC.  Either way, UK and Duke hold the top two spots in today’s updated bracket projection – followed by Wisconsin (South) and Arizona (West).

One could easily make an argument that Virginia and Villanova should be ranked ahead of Wisconsin and Arizona.  But before we drop the Badgers or West-Coast Wildcats from their preseason perches, let’s see how conference play unfolds.

If you’ve followed college hoops during the first two months, you’re well aware of the quirky resumes available for review. So take the current bracket for what it is … a synopsis of where we are now, with some potential mixed in, and a whole lot of educated guesswork.  Simply put: there isn’t much difference between an 8-seed and a team listed among the First Five out.  With a lack of strong non-conference profiles, league results will play a huge role in determining at-large candidates.

A couple of additional notes:

  • As conference play is barely underway (and hasn’t begun yet in some leagues), the automatic qualifiers are projected champions, balancing current results with some future expectations.
  • Non-conference strength of schedule (NC SOS) could prove problematic for a few potential bubble teams. In particular, TCU (No. 347) and Wyoming (No. 323) have real issues – think about SMU last year.  While Notre Dame is safely “IN” at the moment, the Irish need to keep pace in the ACC or a No. 323 NC SOS mark could be considered.  Here are a few additional NC SOS numbers to keep in mind: Minnesota (238), Davidson (228), Indiana (219), New Mexico (279), Hawaii (287) and Evansville (288) – per ESPN data through Dec. 13 games.
  • We’ve got a long way to go.  Enjoy the ride.

Happy New Year!  You can find complete Seed List information for the bracket at Bracketville.

BRACKET UPDATE: January 1, 2015

Teams in CAPS represent the projected AUTOMATIC bid. Exceptions are made for teams that use an abbreviation (UCLA, BYU, etc).

Several new bracketing principles were introduced last year. You can read them for yourself at http://www.ncaa.com. For example: teams from the same conference may now meet before a Regional final, even if fewer than eight teams are selected. The goal is to keep as many teams as possible on their actual seed line.

FIRST FOUR PAIRINGS – Dayton (First Round)

  • UNLV vs. Penn State | East Region
  • TCU vs. California | South Region
  • ST. FRANCIS (NY) vs. AMERICAN | Midwest Region
  • CO. CAROLINA vs. TX-SOUTHERN | East Region

BRACKET PROJECTION …

MIDWEST – Cleveland EAST – Syracuse
Louisville Charlotte
1) KENTUCKY 1) DUKE
16) AMERICAN / ST. FRAN (NY)     16) C. CAROLINA / TX-SOUTHERN
8) Indiana 8) Georgetown
9) TEMPLE 9) Dayton
Seattle Portland
5) Notre Dame 5) Washington
12) EASTERN WASHINGTON 12) UNLV / Penn State
4) Utah 4) West Virginia
13) HAWAII 13) HARVARD
Louisville Pittsburgh
6) Northern Iowa 6) Oklahoma
11) BYU 11) Cincinnati
3) Iowa State 3) Maryland
14) MURRAY STATE 14) BUFFALO
Columbus Pittsburgh
7) Butler 7) Baylor
10) George Washington 10) Ohio State
2) Louisville 2) VILLANOVA
15) STONY BROOK 15) NORTHEASTERN
WEST – Los Angeles SOUTH – Houston
Portland Omaha
1) ARIZONA 1) WISCONSIN
16) DENVER 16) NEW MEXICO ST
8) Colorado State 8) Syracuse
9) SMU 9) LSU
Jacksonville Columbus
5) WICHITA STATE 5) SAN DIEGO STATE
12) GREEN BAY 12) TCU / California
4) North Carolina 4) St. John’s
13) WOFFORD 13) GEORGIA STATE
Jacksonville Omaha
6) VCU 6) Iowa
11) Xavier 11) Stanford
3) Texas 3) KANSAS
14) IONA 14) S.F. AUSTIN
Seattle Charlotte
7) Arkansas 7) OLD DOMINION
10) Michigan State 10) Seton Hall
2) GONZAGA 2) Virginia
15) NC-CENTRAL 15) FL GULF COAST

NOTES on the BRACKET: Kentucky is the overall No. 1 seed followed by Duke, Wisconsin, Arizona.

Last Five teams in (at large): Cincinnati, California, UNLV, Penn State, TCU

First Five teams out (at large): Minnesota, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami-FL, Wyoming

Next five teams out (at large): Illinois, Providence, Oklahoma State, Alabama, Pittsburgh

Breakdown by Conference …

Big 10 (7): Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State

Big 12 (7): Kansas, Texas, Iowa State, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Baylor, TCU

Big East (6): Villanova, St. John’s, Butler, Georgetown, Seton Hall, Xavier

ACC (6): Duke, Virginia, Louisville, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Syracuse

Pac 12 (5): Arizona, Utah, Washington, Stanford, California

SEC (3): Kentucky, Arkansas, LSU

American (3): Temple, SMU, Cincinnati

Atlantic 10 (3): VCU, Dayton, George Washington

Mountain West (3): San Diego State, Colorado State, UNLV

West Coast (2): Gonzaga, BYU

Missouri Valley (2): Wichita State, Northern Iowa

ONE BID LEAGUES: Old Dominion (C-USA), Georgia State (SBELT), Harvard (IVY), Eastern Washington (BSKY), Green Bay (HZN), S.F. Austin (SLND), Wofford (STHN), Hawaii (BWEST), Buffalo (MAC), Iona (MAAC), Florida Gulf Coast (ASUN), Murray State (OVC), Northeastern (CAA), Coastal Carolina (BSO), NC-Central (MEAC), Denver (SUM), New Mexico State (WAC), Stony Brook (AEAST), American (PAT), St. Francis-NY (NEC), Texas-Southern (SWAC)

 

Biden celebrates LSU women’s and UConn men’s basketball teams at separate White House events

Associated PressMay 26, 2023, 11:56 PM EDT
Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
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WASHINGTON – All of the past drama and sore feelings associated with Louisiana State’s invitation to the White House were seemingly forgotten or set aside Friday as President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed the championship women’s basketball team to the mansion with smiles, hugs and lavish praise all around.

The visit had once appeared in jeopardy after Jill Biden suggested that the losing Iowa team be invited, too. But none of that was mentioned as both Bidens heralded the players for their performance and the way they have helped advance women’s sports.

“Folks, we witnessed history,” the president said. “In this team, we saw hope, we saw pride and we saw purpose. It matters.”

The ceremony was halted for about 10 minutes after forward Sa’Myah Smith appeared to collapse as she and her teammates stood behind Biden. A wheelchair was brought in and coach Kim Mulkey assured the audience that Smith was fine.

LSU said in a statement that Smith felt overheated, nauseous and thought she might faint. She was evaluated by LSU and White House medical staff and was later able to rejoin the team. “She is feeling well, in good spirits, and will undergo further evaluation once back in Baton Rouge,” the LSU statement said.

Since the passage of Title IX in 1972, Biden said, more than half of all college students are women, and there are now 10 times more female athletes in college and high school. He said most sports stories are still about men, and that that needs to change.

Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally funded education programs and activities.

“Folks, we need to support women sports, not just during the championship run but during the entire year,” President Biden said.

After the Tigers beat Iowa for the NCAA title in April in a game the first lady attended, she caused an uproar by suggesting that the Hawkeyes also come to the White House.

LSU star Angel Reese called the idea “A JOKE” and said she would prefer to visit with former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, instead. The LSU team largely is Black, while Iowa’s top player, Caitlin Clark, is white, as are most of her teammates.

Nothing came of Jill Biden’s idea and the White House only invited the Tigers. Reese ultimately said she would not skip the White House visit. She and co-captain Emily Ward presented team jerseys bearing the number “46” to Biden and the first lady. Hugs were exchanged.

Jill Biden also lavished praise on the team, saying the players showed “what it means to be a champion.”

“In this room, I see the absolute best of the best,” she said, adding that watching them play was “pure magic.”

“Every basket was pure joy and I kept thinking about how far women’s sports have come,” the first lady added, noting that she grew up before Title IX was passed. “We’ve made so much progress and we still have so much more work to do.”

The president added that “the way in which women’s sports has come along is just incredible. It’s really neat to see, since I’ve got four granddaughters.”

After Smith was helped to a wheelchair, Mulkey told the audience the player was OK.

“As you can see, we leave our mark where we go,” Mulkey joked. “Sa’Myah is fine. She’s kind of, right now, embarrassed.”

A few members of Congress and Biden aides past and present with Louisiana roots dropped what they were doing to attend the East Room event, including White House budget director Shalanda Young. Young is in the thick of negotiations with House Republicans to reach a deal by the middle of next week to stave off what would be a globally calamitous U.S. financial default if the U.S. can no longer borrow the money it needs to pay its bills.

The president, who wore a necktie in the shade of LSU’s purple, said Young, who grew up in Baton Rouge, told him, “I’m leaving the talks to be here.” Rep. Garret Graves, one of the House GOP negotiators, also attended.

Biden closed sports Friday by changing to a blue tie and welcoming the UConn’s men’s championship team for its own celebration. The Huskies won their fifth national title by defeating San Diego State, 76-59, in April.

“Congratulations to the whole UConn nation,” he said.

Marquette’s Prosper says he will stay in draft rather than returning to school

Associated PressMay 26, 2023, 7:08 PM EDT
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
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MILWAUKEE — Olivier-Maxence Prosper announced he is keeping his name under NBA draft consideration rather than returning to Marquette.

The 6-foot-8 forward announced his decision.

“Thank you Marquette nation, my coaches, my teammates and support staff for embracing me from day one,” Prosper said in an Instagram post. “My time at Marquette has been incredible. With that being said, I will remain in the 2023 NBA Draft. I’m excited for what comes next. On to the next chapter…”

Prosper had announced last month he was entering the draft. He still could have returned to school and maintained his college eligibility by withdrawing from the draft by May 31. Prosper’s announcement indicates he instead is going ahead with his plans to turn pro.

Prosper averaged 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds last season while helping Marquette go 29-7 and win the Big East’s regular-season and tournament titles. Marquette’s season ended with a 69-60 loss to Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32.

He played two seasons at Marquette after transferring from Clemson, where he spent one season.

Kansas’ Kevin McCullar Jr. returning for last season of eligibility

Associated PressMay 25, 2023, 9:18 PM EDT
kansas mccullar
Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports
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Kevin McCullar Jr. said that he will return to Kansas for his final year of eligibility, likely rounding out a roster that could make the Jayhawks the preseason No. 1 next season.

McCullar transferred from Texas Tech to Kansas for last season, when he started 33 of 34 games and averaged 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. He was also among the nation’s leaders in steals, and along with being selected to the Big 12’s all-defensive team, the 6-foot-6 forward was a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.

“To be able to play in front of the best fans in the country; to play for the best coach in the nation, I truly believe we have the pieces to hang another banner in the Phog,” McCullar said in announcing his return.

Along with McCullar, the Jayhawks return starters Dajuan Harris Jr. and K.J. Adams from a team that went 28–8, won the Big 12 regular-season title and was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where it lost to Arkansas in the second round.

Perhaps more importantly, the Jayhawks landed Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson, widely considered the best player in the portal, to anchor a lineup that was missing a true big man. They also grabbed former five-star prospect Arterio Morris, who left Texas, and Towson’s Nick Timberlake, who emerged last season as one of the best 3-point shooters in the country.

The Jayhawks also have an elite recruiting class arriving that is headlined by five-star recruit Elmarko Jackson.

McCullar declared for the draft but, after getting feedback from scouts, decided to return. He was a redshirt senior last season, but he has another year of eligibility because part of his career was played during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a big day for Kansas basketball,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said. “Kevin is not only a terrific player but a terrific teammate. He fit in so well in year one and we’re excited about what he’ll do with our program from a leadership standpoint.”

Clemson leading scorer Hall withdraws from NBA draft, returns to Tigers

Associated PressMay 25, 2023, 9:15 PM EDT
clemson pj hall
Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports
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CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson leading scorer PJ Hall is returning to college after withdrawing from the NBA draft on Thursday.

The 6-foot-10 forward took part in the NBA combine and posted his decision to put off the pros on social media.

Hall led the Tigers with 15.3 points per game this past season. He also led the Tigers with 37 blocks, along with 5.7 rebounds. Hall helped Clemson finish third in the Atlantic Coast Conference while posting a program-record 14 league wins.

Clemson coach Brad Brownell said Hall gained experience from going through the NBA’s combine that will help the team next season. “I’m counting on him and others to help lead a very talented group,” he said.

Hall was named to the all-ACC third team last season as the Tigers went 23-10.

George Washington adopts new name ‘Revolutionaries’ to replace ‘Colonials’

Associated PressMay 24, 2023, 7:12 PM EDT
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WASHINGTON — George Washington University’s sports teams will now be known as the Revolutionaries, the school announced.

Revolutionaries replaces Colonials, which had been GW’s name since 1926. Officials made the decision last year to drop the old name after determining it no longer unified the community.

GW said 8,000 different names were suggested and 47,000 points of feedback made during the 12-month process. Revolutionaries won out over the other final choices of Ambassadors, Blue Fog and Sentinels.

“I am very grateful for the active engagement of our community throughout the development of the new moniker,” president Mark S. Wrighton said. “This process was truly driven by our students, faculty, staff and alumni, and the result is a moniker that broadly reflects our community – and our distinguished and distinguishable GW spirit.”

George the mascot will stay and a new logo developed soon for the Revolutionaries name that takes effect for the 2023-24 school year. The university is part of the Atlantic 10 Conference.