New Power 24 released May 1

As the NCAA Tournament postlude continues, we’ll post our first Power 24 for the 2009-2010 season on May 1.  Let me know what you think.  I’m still working on some new ideas and upgrades to the site.   Look for lots of new posts and information in October.  I’ll also be working on some feature columns.  Meanwhile, keep track of summer progress – especially after the NBA Draft in June.  Bracketville is your home blog for all things NCAA Tournament.

2009 ACC/Big Ten Challenge pairings

See newest update 11/24: ACC/Big 10 Challenge: Who wins?

This year’s national title game will be replayed in Chapel Hill on December 1 as part of the 2009 ACC/BigTen Challenge – sort of. The 2009 National Champion Tar Heels will be hit harder by graduation and NBA defection – giving MSU favored status as we look “way ahead” to the early part of the 2009-2010 season.

Other interesting matchups at the 11th annual event include: Wake Forest at Purdue (who’ll be playing for Wake?) … Boston College at Michigan (the Wolverines should be improved if Manny Harris stays as expected) … Florida State at Ohio State … Illinois at Clemson … and Minnesota and Miami-FL. Second-tier battles feature Penn State at Virginia, Maryland and Indiana, Northwestern at NC State, Virginia Tech at Iowa, and Duke at Wisconsin.

The Big Ten conference has never won the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Early returns indicate the Big Ten will continue to rise. Michigan State and Purdue will be favored – again. Michigan figures to be more consistent and Illinois, Ohio State, and Minnesota in particular have solid building blocks and strong recruiting classes arriving.

More updates to come soon including our first 2010 NCAA Tournament Projection. Updates will be made after the NBA Draft when we know for sure who’s back and who’s not. Full coverage of the 2009-2010 season will return with Midnight Madness in October. I’ll be working on several other site upgrades and information during the summer – and provide NCAA Tournament related comments as relevant.

ATR: Final Four overview …

I had Louisville winning the title, so time to re-evaluate.  At face value, the 2009 Final Four should be very competitive.  Both games have the potential to be memorable.  Couple of thoughts …

Team playing the best:  Villanova.  Since awaking during a second-half run to overcome American, the Wildcats have been stellar at both ends of the floor.  ‘Nova’s defense has been sticky and they create matchup problems with players who spread the floor, shoot from deep, and drive the lane. 

Best team: North Carolina.  No one scores the ball easier than the Tar Heels.  Defensive effort remains a question, although UNC has picked it up in the tournament.  Ty Lawson appears adequately healthy, which is key.  Back in November, the Tar Heels looked a head taller than everyone else.  It may be a forehead now, but they’re still the team to beat.

Best front line: Connecticut.  With Hasheem Thabeet and Stanley Robinson, the Huskies are the most formidable around the basket. UConn also plays great team defense without fouling.  They are long and athletic.  The Huskies are one the best rebounding teams – meaning second shot points and limited chances for opponents.  An achilles heel is outside shooting.  A.J. Price is their only consistent weapon with Jerome Dyson out.

Best coached: Michigan State.  With a week to prepare, the Spartans will not only have a home-court edge, but will be well-schooled in their game plan(s).  If they execute, they’ll have a shot.  Goran Suton is a matchup problem because of his ability to step outside.  Sparty also plays in-your-face lock-down defense when motivated.  They’ll be motivated at Ford Field.

At first glance it looks like a Connecticut – North Carolina final on Monday.  But the Huskies will be in for a tough fight against the Spartans.  Prediction? Michigan State upsets UConn and gets its rematch with the North Carolina – on the same court where the two locked horns in early December.  UNC may win again, but it won’t be by 35 points.