Here's the first ratings release for NCAA Men's Basketball this season.  Despite UNC's stranglehold on the #1 spot in the human polls, I've got them at #3 in my premiere ratings for the season, behind their ACC foe in Clemson, as well as Gonzaga.

 

The Big East is just gaudy at the moment, with Pittsburgh, Connecticut, West Virginia, Syracuse, and Georgetown all in the Top 20.  The ACC is also well represented by Clemson, UNC, Duke, and Florida State, as is the Big Ten with Ohio State, Northwestern, Illinois, and Minnesota in the Top 25, and Michigan, Wisconsin, and Michigan State not far behind.  We'll see how things look in about 3 months though, eh?

 

Data courtesy of Ken Pomeroy.

 

Congrats to Kansas on putting together a fantastic Final Four performance and winning the 2008 NCAA Men's Tournament!  They also end up as the #1 team in my final men's college basketball ratings for this season.  Now on to baseball!  Enjoy the offseason, college basketball fans!

 

Data courtesy of Ken Pomeroy.

 

The Final Four teams are set, and for the first time in history, all four #1 seeds make it to face one another.  Not only are they the best 4 teams in the nation, but they're very, very evenly matched.  These last three games should be outstanding.  Kudos to the tournament committee for getting the teams correct and providing a thrilling finish to the season.  (Ahem -- are you BCS guys listening?)

 

Data courtesy of Ken Pomeroy.

 

Pretty good week in tournament play.  Not too many upsets, but how about Davidson, Villanova, Siena, San Diego, and Western Kentucky?  Duke's and Georgetown's early exits were a bit unexpected, and the ratings show it.

 

Anyway, UCLA moves into the #1 spot over Memphis, and with a seemingly light bracket left, they're in good shape to make it to San Antonio.

 

BTW, for what it's worth (probably very little), I picked Texas to win the whole enchilada.  I really like the home court advantage they're going to get if they keep winning -- reminds me of Michigan State in 2000.

 

Data courtesy of Ken Pomeroy.