An early projection of the 2012 NCAA tournament bracket

Apr 7, 2011, 10:36 AM EDT

We just finished another great NCAA Tournament. Ready for more? Sure. So why not take an early look at March Madness – 2012. Yes, there’s a lot we don’t know. Several players will decided whether to make a leap to the NBA or return to college. It may be especially challenging this year with the threat of an NBA lockout. That in mind, here’s a not-too-serious, but fun look ahead at what we might see on Selection Sunday next March. It’s a good thing these things are actually decided on the court.

Based on what we know and/or anticipate … our No. 1 seeds are Kentucky, North Carolina, Syracuse, and Ohio State. Connecticut, the defending champs, open as a 2 seed.

NOTE: In the 68-team format you will notice two pairing games that represent the First Four pairings. In this bracket the First Four games would be … South Carolina vs. Dayton | Virginia vs. BYU | UT-San Antonio vs. NC-Ashville | Hampton vs. Tx-Southern. The final four at-large teams are paired along with the teams seeded 65-68 on the S-curve. The matchups are indicated in the bracket below.

BRACKET PROJECTION … 2012

EAST – Boston		SOUTHEAST – Atlanta
Greensborgo		Louisville
1) North Carolina		1) Kentucky
16) Hampton / Tx-Southern		16) NC-Asheville / UT-San Antonio
8 Colorado		8 USC
9) Georgia		9) Georgetown

Portland		Nashville
5) Marquette		5) Texas A-M
12) Harvard		12) Maryland
4) Wisconsin		4) Memphis
13) Creighton		13) Kent State

Louisville		Columbus
6) Butler		6) Missouri
11) Illinois		11) Washington State
3) Vanderbilt		3) Michigan
14) Wofford		14) Bucknell

Pittsburgh		Nashville
7) George Mason		7) Xavier
10) Kansas State		10) New Mexico
2) Connecticut		2) Louisville
15) Florida-Atlantic		15) Murray State

SOUTHWEST – St. Louis		WEST – Phoenix
Pittsburgh		Pittsburgh
1) Syracuse		1) Ohio State
16) Montana		16) UC-Santa Barbara
8 Michigan State		8 West Virginia
9) Temple		9) Washington

Portland		Columbus
5) Alabama		5) Gonzaga
12) Virginia / BYU		12) South Carolina / Dayton
4) UCLA		4) Cincinnati
13) Utah State		13) Belmont

Omaha		Albuquerque
6) Florida		6) Pittsburgh
11) California		11) VCU
3) Kansas		3) Arizona
14) Iona		14) Long Island

Greensboro		Albuquerque
7) Villanova		7) Florida State
10) Purdue		10) Wichita State
2) Duke		2) Texas
15) Vermont		15) Oral Roberts

NOTES on the BRACKET: Kentucky is the overall No. 1 seed followed by North Carolina, Syracuse, and Ohio State.

Last Five teams in (at large): Maryland, BYU, South Carolina, Virginia, Dayton

First Five teams out (at large): Notre Dame, Old Dominion, Clemson, St. John’s, Duquesne

Also considered (at large): Virginia Tech, Penn State, Nebraska, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Indiana, Marshall, Tulsa, St. Mary’s, San Francisco, Hofstra, Indiana State, UW-Milwaukee, Detroit, Western Michigan, Akron, Mississippi State, Colorado State, San Diego State, Richmond, UAB, UTEP, Oakland

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