Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Dukes vs. Duke? EDD vs. UConn? Maybe, says ESPN's Creme

Charlie Creme's latest bracketology is out, featuring a feast of possibilities for NCAA Tournament basketball in the state and in the CAA. Among Creme's predictions:

*Delaware as a No. 4 seed, which would pit the Blue Hens against Penn State in the second round, a team they already beat in Newark. Looking really far ahead Creme sees a Sweet 16 featuring UConn vs. Delaware. Now wouldn't Husky fans have their fun heckling Elena Delle Donne? Creme's first-round game has the Hens facing long-range bombers Florida Gulf Coast -- hardly a patsy of a matchup.

*James Madison returning to Norfolk, a host for first and second round games. Creme makes the Dukes a No. 10 seed and matches them up against South Carolina. We think Kenny Brooks and company would be delighted to return to the Constant Center, as they brought a swarm of purple fans there two years ago in the NCAA tournament's first round. The Dukes, a No. 9 seed in 2010, fell to Temple 65-53. The fun would be if the Dukes won and played No. 2 Duke.

*Creme has high-octane Hofstra at No. 10 against No. 7 North Carolina. Although the game would be in Chapel Hill, we like the Pride's chances versus an unpredictable Tar Heel team.

*Virginia as a No. 8? We think the Cavaliers would be thrilled to be back in the NCAA Tournament, although we suspect they could do without a first-round game against Joanne Boyle's former team, Cal, in the first round. We've already been through that.

No dancing for Richmond, predicts Creme. He has the Spiders among the first four teams out. JMU, by the way, is listed among the last four in.

Stay tuned. Bracketology is bound to change as March inches closer.

2 comments:

  1. Two Corrections:

    1) Delaware beat Penn State at home in Newark (not in State College)

    2) JMU is listed with the "Last Four In" (not the "First Four In" ... depending on one's perspective, the "First Four In" would be either the the #1 seeds or the first four teams to earn bids)

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  2. Brain-lock. Thanks for the heads-up. Funny thing is, we actually watched that Delaware-Penn State game.

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