2025 Bracketologies

cyclones500

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Jan 29, 2010
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My bracket and resume comparison link after the weekend's games.

View attachment 144394

Some bracket notes:
  • The top 6 has separated itself at this stage. Would be really surprised if seeding order isn't Auburn, Duke, Houston or SEC 2 for the 3rd 1-seed, the other for the 4th, and then SEC 3/SEC 4 for the top two 2-seeds. SEC 2 through 4 are Tennessee, Alabama, Florida to be clear.
  • Michigan State has kind of separated itself as spot 7 and the 3rd 2-seed to me.
  • After that, St. John's, Wisconsin, Iowa State, and Texas Tech seem to be battling for the final 2-seed. Outside chance of Purdue. So there are your "root against" teams if you're interested.
  • If Houston stays at #3 overall, we likely won't be placed in the Midwest. If they fall to #4, we wouldn't be placed in the West. So be prepared to be placed in Auburn, Duke, or SEC 2's region.
  • After listening to the pod, for @brentblum, enjoy this resource which I use frequently. Bauertology's Tournament Site Distances. Type in any school and see where 1st weekend sites and regional sites rank as far as proximity to each school.
From a purely ISU-centric perspective, I'd like to swap the 6-11-3-14 quad position with Tech's quad. [I wouldn't mind a straight swap with TT, based on teams in the quartet(s), but it wouldn't work that way.]
 

hawksuck75

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You think we’re locked in for a Milwaukee first-round site?

Still seems to me the only 3 threats to bump us are Wisconsin, Michigan, and Purdue (Michigan State’s 1st choice destination is Cleveland). So we just need to finish higher on the seed line than 2 of the 3, and I think we are safely ahead of all 3 right now.
I would add Kentucky and Texas AM to that mix in terms of fighting for Milwaukee. Just in terms of teams that would most likely get MKE if they jumped us. I'd say MKE as of now, but bad week and it could be Denver.
 

SolterraCyclone

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I would add Kentucky and Texas AM to that mix in terms of fighting for Milwaukee. Just in terms of teams that would most likely get MKE if they jumped us. I'd say MKE as of now, but bad week and it could be Denver.
Yep, you’re right about Kentucky. For some reason I thought Florida’s order would be 1.) Raleigh 2.) Lexington 3.) Providence 4.) Cleveland, so Kentucky is locked in for Cleveland. But Cleveland is actually closer to Gainesville than Providence, so they and Michigan St would usurp Kentucky.

I think A&M is too far down the seed line to be able to leapfrog ISU and all these other teams vying for Milwaukee. I think they’re Denver or Providence bound.
 

hawksuck75

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Yep, you’re right about Kentucky. For some reason I thought Florida’s order would be 1.) Raleigh 2.) Lexington 3.) Providence 4.) Cleveland, so Kentucky is locked in for Cleveland. But Cleveland is actually closer to Gainesville than Providence, so they and Michigan St would usurp Kentucky.

I think A&M is too far down the seed line to be able to leapfrog ISU and all these other teams vying for Milwaukee. I think they’re Denver or Providence bound.
I think the bigger issue that spots 7-16 are really close metrics wise and tough to know what the committee truly values at this point and if our injuries will be taken into effect.
 

NiceMarmot

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You think we’re locked in for a Milwaukee first-round site?

Still seems to me the only 3 threats to bump us are Wisconsin, Michigan, and Purdue (Michigan State’s 1st choice destination is Cleveland). So we just need to finish higher on the seed line than 2 of the 3, and I think we are safely ahead of all 3 right now.
No if we lose out or go 1-2, we could definitely fall to the 4-line and drop to Denver. But our results don't happen in a vacuum; other teams will drop games too.

Also unlike last year when it was Omaha or Memphis/Pittsburgh for 1st weekend sites, I don't see much of a difference between Milwaukee/Denver. Milwaukee is obviously closer but I think there would be a higher % of Cyclone fans (and a cheaper ticket) in Denver compared to being in Milwaukee with Wisconsin.
 

mark82

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Jun 19, 2006
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A 2 or 3 seed is not important. What is Important is making the Final Four. To that end, avoid Auburn's bracket at all costs. Duke's as well if possible. They both will have the home court advantage.
 
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Frak

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A 2 or 3 seed is not important. What is Important is making the Final Four. To that end, avoid Auburn's bracket at all costs. Duke's as well if possible. They both will have the home court advantage.
I agree. I think what you really want is a 2 or 3 in the west or Midwest. I’d be perfectly fine with Denver.
 

Cyburbbalz

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A 2 or 3 seed is not important. What is Important is making the Final Four. To that end, avoid Auburn's bracket at all costs. Duke's as well if possible. They both will have the home court advantage.
Auburn is obviously really good. I just don't trust pearl to advance far in the tournament. He always seems too wrapped up in doing interviews on t.v. instead of making sure his team is preparing for the tournament. He's had some good teams lose right away more than once.
 
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AndoverClone

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Auburn is obviously really good. I just don't trust pearl to advance far in the tournament. He always seems too wrapped up in doing interviews on t.v. instead of making sure his team is preparing for the tournament. He's had some good teams lose right away more than once.
Not a Pearl fan, but he did take his 2019 team to the final four in Mpls that lost in the final seconds to Virginia. Virginia beat Tech in the final n OT.
 

cyclones500

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sign me up


I could dig that setup.

Alabama could pose a problem because ISU can be susceptible to opponents that can just outscore the **** out of you. But (1) No guarantee Alabama is still playing by the Elite 8* (2) No regional fan-base advantage for Bama (and none with the 3-14/6-11, either, for regional semifinal).

I'd feel fairly confident with any other matchup throughout entire bracket.

*Yes, same can be true of ISU, or anyone.
 
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AlaCyclone

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No if we lose out or go 1-2, we could definitely fall to the 4-line and drop to Denver. But our results don't happen in a vacuum; other teams will drop games too.

Also unlike last year when it was Omaha or Memphis/Pittsburgh for 1st weekend sites, I don't see much of a difference between Milwaukee/Denver. Milwaukee is obviously closer but I think there would be a higher % of Cyclone fans (and a cheaper ticket) in Denver compared to being in Milwaukee with Wisconsin.
Seeding aside, Denver is defintiely better than Milwaukee for ISU.

Using Lunardi's updated seedings:

vs. #7 Illinois @ Milwaukee or vs. #6 St. Mary's @ Denver in the 2nd round.

No brainer to me.

Denver is much better for ISU than Milwaukee.

Milwaukee is Big East City in a B1G State, and there is going to be ultimately B1G support there for B1G teams. If ISU plays in Milwaukee, they will have one sliver of the arena.

Go West Young Men!

:)
 

NiceMarmot

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Put together what the committee's order was during the early reveal on 2/15, along with each team's losses at that time and losses since.

Safe to say we've been passed by Michigan State, St. John's, Wisconsin, and Texas Tech. It's also possible Texas A&M and Purdue have now dropped below us. Also possible Kentucky has passed us. Have to think we're somewhere in 11-14 range right now.

1741271243071.png
 
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Cyhig

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Holding out hope for a 3 seed. I always felt it is much better to be on the bottom half of the bracket vs the top half
 

CoachHines3

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I think we have to win on Saturday and Wednesday at KC to avoid a 4 seed.
Win on saturday and I think we squarely on the 3 line. Don't want another Q2 loss.

Then beat the likes of Cincy/UCF/OK St on Wednesday and KC and should be good.

I ran a bunch of things on @mred simulator and it seems like for the Big 12 Tourney those are the 3 teams we could played. Utah came up once, too.

I think we can avoid K-State again whether win/lose on Saturday.
 
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