Championship Week starts today. It’s that time of year, when teams from the lower and middle conferences begin a Cinderella run through their conference tournaments. Sub -.500 teams upset the top seeds on their way to an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament, while the regular-season champs try to pull off the championship sweep. In my opinion, March Madness has officially begun.
Breakdown of the ACC & SEC
ACC (6): North Carolina, Duke, Clemson, Miami (Fl.), Maryland, Virginia Tech
SEC (4): Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Arkansas
Last Four In: Southern Illinois, Virginia Tech, Villanova, Maryland
Last Four Out: New Mexico, Saint Joseph’s, Syracuse, Kentucky
Next Four Out: Mississippi, Florida, Ohio State, Dayton
Keys to Games this Week
Wake Forest at Virginia Tech (Tuesday): The past couple of weeks, Wake Forest was the ACC team du jour; this week, it’s Tech and its 8-6 conf. record.
Arkansas at Mississippi (Tuesday): Look who’s back in the at-large mix? Despite a 5-9 SEC record, the Rebels could make a move with a win here.
Mississippi State at Vanderbilt (Wednesday): Two of the best teams in the SEC will go at it. Jamont Gordon and Shan Foster are both all-conference players.
Tennessee at Florida (Wednesday): Can the Gators salvage their fading at-large hopes with a win over the Vols? Tennessee is still fighting for a No. 1 seed.
Man, I can’t wait for the SEC Tournament, Thursday. Auburn Elvis will be there, in style (I better get on TV this time). Also, to help make the whole tournament more fun for the fans, I’m having a SEC Photo Scavenger Hunt. Details are on my blog at: http://auburnelvis.com/blog/2008/03/08/win-a-25-secstorecom-gift-certificate-from-auburn-elvis/, but basically, download my list of photo ops, take a bunch of pictures, and post them online. I’m giving the winner a $25 gift certificate to the SEC Sports Store. See you at the tournament.
Thankyouverymuch, thankyouverymuch.