>They will have a #1 regional seed even if they do lose their conference tournament. That doesn't mean they will win.
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>I am a believer in the theory that teams from the strongest conferences tend to shine in the tournament. This year that means the Big East without much room for debate. They all have some losses from beating up on each other. I won't be surprised to see a couple of them in the final four.
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>The intriguing team to me is Kentucky. They are very young, and play like it sometimes, so I doubt they will be able to put a six game run together. But scary talent. John Wall is not the only super frosh on that team. A few years from now people will shake their heads that all those guys were on the same college team.
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>Oh, KU is assured a #1 seed regional seed, even if they blow in the Big 12 Tourney. And if they win the Big 12 (or at least make it to the big 12 title game), they'll likely get the #1 overall seed (unless 'Cuse would win the Big East tourney).
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>If KU gets the #1 overall seed, they'd play in the Midwest regional (open in Oklahoma City, regional action in St Louis). I know there are all sorts of theories about going on the road, but I still think it's to KU's benefit to get the Midwest regional.
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>I think the Big East and the Big 12 are very close...I'll grant that some teams in the Big 12 have struggled at the end, but you could also make a case that Villanova and a few other teams in the Big east have been suspect at the end. Bottom line,they are clearly the 2 strongest conferences in the country.
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>I've been watching Wall recently, and I agree he's awesome. I still love what Sherron Collins brings, even though he's been in a bit of a funk lately. They are both great players. I agree, I don't think Kentucky can put together a long streak, but I also would rather play other teams than Kentucky.
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>We'll see!!!

PS: Are you reading to Katy yet? Brings back really good memories for me. We wore out the Seuss books. Also Goodnight Moon. A little later, The Paper Bag Princess. My daughters were more aware by then and knew it by heart. (I tested them by changing a word here or there and they busted me every time). They had two favorite lines. One was "He didn't have enough fire left to cook a meatball." The other was "Ronald, you are a bum!" You've got a lot of enjoyable moments ahead of you, KG.


Yup. My favorite sports event of the year. (And this year we get the World Cup, too, although I don't think you get up for that)

I don't think the Big 12 is anywhere near the Big East this season. JOMO. The Big East is full of beasts (channeling Dr. Seuss). Even fringe teams like Louisville and Notre Dame would be thriving in most conferences.

Wall is a really interesting player. He doesn't put up huge numbers. What impresses me is his poise. He's a freshman, 18, 19 years old, given the ball in one of the country's most high profile programs. The ball is in his hands almost all the time, like a Magic Johnson or Steve Nash. Basketball is a religion in Kentucky and the burden has been put on his shoulders. I watched their game at Vanderbilt a few weeks ago. It was not one of their better efforts and Wall did not shoot well. But he took care of the ball and never lost his cool, even in front of a rabid opposing crowd. Vanderbilt is a good team and had not lost at home in 18 games. Kentucky, not playing at their peak, still beat them. A very interesting team. Three of their four top scorers are freshmen. I don't like John Calipari and never will but that's a sweet team he has.