Ten observations from November …

The turkey’s just about digested.  So is a weekend of football … and college hoops.  This opening month we’ve seen Jams, Invitationals, Tip-Off’s and Classics.  We’ve seen some great finishes, surprise blowouts, even a little feel of March Madness.  But what’s it all mean?  To members of the NCAA Selection Committee, every game counts.  Wins in November count as much as those in February.  What’s harder to gauge is how early performance will predict later success.   In 2001, Ball State sent shock waves through Maui before losing to Duke in the final … yet the Cardinals missed the NCAAs and finished well off the pace in the Mid-American Conference.  Last year, who would have guessed that Georgetown would be in the NIT after opening Big East play with a win at Connecticut?  Early is early.  But here are 10 observations from November …

Power 24 welcomes four new members …

Before getting all worked up, remember that our Power 24 isn’t like a typical poll.  One loss – or one win – does not necessarily change a team’s overall outlook.  To date, performance data is shallow.   Some teams have played good competition,  some haven’t.  Case-in-point: Kentucky’s best win is Stanford and they almost lost at home to Miami-Ohio; does that mean the Wildcats aren’t a top-flight team?  That’s one reason why the Top 5 teams for November 30 haven’t changed … Kansas, Michigan State, Texas, Kentucky, and Villanova. 

We do welcome four new members: Florida (13), Texas A&M (18), Florida State (20), and Cincinnati (22).  Butler and Louisville are two of the teams slipping aside for now.  Arguably, and least one will be back in the Power 24 come January.  Check it out and let me know what you think.  Rebounds are always welcome.

Bracketville joins Twitter …

Sometimes, you just have to jump in and try.  Although not an early adopter, I’ve decided to add a Twitter account to the Bracketville lineup.  If nothing else, I need to learn how the use the technology.  And hey, there’s always room for a little fun.  We’ll see how it goes.  You can find recent “tweets” in the right-hand column.  There’s also a link to my Twitter page under the Links section.  You can find me at http://twitter.com/BracketguyDave.  A new Power 24 will be out Monday evening.  Some meaningful basketball games ahead on Sunday night.  Regular life returns on Monday.  What a weekend!  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.   Some quick thoughts from the Holiday tournaments will arrive soon – what do they potentially mean down the road?  Plus, what a start for the West Coast Conference.  As always, send a Rebound.

ACC / Big 10 Challenge: Who wins?

Maybe this is normal.  There sure has been great interest in the 2009 ACC/Big 10 Challenge.  So the question is, who wins?  Before you answer, consider that the Big 10 has never won this event.  There are 11 games and the ACC has managed to win at least six every year since the series began.  Is 2009 different?  I’d have to say … yes.

Here is a matchup of each pairing and who has the EDGE:

• Virginia @ Penn State  |  EDGE: Penn State (slight)
• Maryland @ Indiana    |  EDGE: Maryland (moderate)
• Michigan State @ North Carolina  |  EDGE: Michigan State (slight)
• Northwestern @ NC State  |  EDGE: NC State (slight)
• Virginia Tech @ Iowa  | EDGE: Va. Tech (slight)
• Wake Forest @ Purdue  |  EDGE: Purdue (moderate)
• Boston College @ Michigan  |  EDGE: Michigan (moderate)
• Duke @ Wisconsin  |  EDGE: Duke (moderate)
• Florida State @ Ohio State  |  EDGE:  Ohio State (moderate)
• Illinois @ Clemson  |  EDGE: Clemson (slight)
• Minnesota @ Miami-FL  |  EDGE:  Minnesota (slight)

Syracuse vaults to No. 11 in Power 24

The latest Power 24 is now updated here at Bracketville.  Welcome to the Syracuse Orangemen who vault to No. 11 after a stellar run through Madison Square Garden – beating Ohio State and North Carolina.  We also welcome Gonzaga (No. 21) after a tough showing in East Lansing.  This week, they’re in Maui.  Not a lot of changes at the top … Kansas remains No. 1, followed by Michigan State and Texas.  The two teams just missing this week: Mississippi State (after losing at home to Rider – and some overall uncertainty) and Oklahoma (losing at VCU).   As a side note, UNC falls only a little – to No. 7.  As the new guards learn how to take advantage of Carolina’s front line, look for the Heels to be a force.  Let’s  don’t overreact to a single win or loss.

Obviously, the Power 24 becomes more accurate as the season progresses.  There will also be less manuevering.  Check back for weekly updates.  And as always, send a rebound!