Bracketology, February 17

Ah yes, it's time once again for one of my favorite topics: bracketology.  Time for people to discuss world-changing topics such as who's going to win it all, potential 12-5 upsets, and who will be this season's George Mason.  We're a month away from the most unproductive time of year for the corporate world ("Gee, you've been looking at that same spreadsheet for the last 4 hours, what's so important about it?  And why does it say 'Click anywhere on this screen to return to cbssports.com?'").  We're also a month away from the greatest tv show of the year, Selection Sunday, and 6 weeks from another rendition of "One Shining Moment" by Luther Vandross.  Most importantly, we're a month away from the best post-season tournament in sports, period.

These picks will inevitably change completely over the next 4 weeks, but this will at least get the conversation started.  Once again, these picks will be posted on the Bracket Matrix for the rest of the season.  Check back every 2-3 days for updated picks.  MU starts out as a 5-seed.  If they win 4 of their last 6 Big East games they should move up to a 4-seed.  Enjoy.

1. Indiana, Miami (FLA.), Florida, Michigan State

2. Duke, Michigan, Gonzaga, Syracuse

3. Arizona, Kansas, Louisville, New Mexico

4. Kansas State, Ohio State, Butler, Georgetown

5. Pittsburgh, Marquette, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin

6. Minnesota, Cincinnati, Colorado State, San Diego State

7. North Carolina State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Virginia Commonwealth

8. UNLV, Missouri, Memphis, UCLA

9. Creighton, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wichita State

10. Illinois, North Carolina, Iowa State, Saint Louis

11. Mississippi, Kentucky, Baylor, La Salle

12. St. Mary's (CA), Middle Tennessee, Belmont, Virginia, Indiana State, Temple

13. Akron, Louisiana Tech, Bucknell, Stephen F. Austin

14. Valparaiso, Davidson, Florida Gulf Coast, Stony Brook

15. Montana, Harvard, Long Beach State, Western Illinois

16. Northeastern, Niagara, Norfolk State, Bryant, NC-Asheville, Southern