With one week of bracketeering under my belt, I’m starting to feel a bit more confident about the field this year. Some truths have become self-evident:

1) The Atlantic 10 is using the Missouri Valley’s traditional technique of RPI inflation this season.

2) As good as the Big East is, there’s not a single dominant team…but there might be within two weeks.

3) The ACC, as always, is more top-heavy than Lucy Pinder.

4) It’s going to be a sad Christmas morning for the non-BCS conferences.

Let’s take a look at each of the regions in this week’s mock bracket, starting with the East:

Comments: Texas made quite a move this week, courtesy of a big home win versus Kansas and a hard-fought road victory versus Baylor. Georgetown has looked less and less impressive lately. Maryland may have solidified a bid with the victory at home versus FSU, but they need to keep winning - there’s really not a lot to write home about in the Terps’ profile.

Next, let’s examine the South Region:

Comments:  Along with Texas, Jim Calhoun’s UConn Huskies have really made a move lately. It was between them and the Hoyas for the last #2 seed, and UConn gets it due to more consistent play as of late. Texas A&M is incredibly volatile - they could be anywhere from a 5 to a 7. Losing at home to Oklahoma State doesn’t help matters. I like Stanford, but not as much as others (I don’t see them as a 2 seed by any means). Michigan State continues to slide — despite the lofty ranking, they really haven’t shown much against top teams lately. Indiana was close to a 4 seed this time out — a win against Purdue would push them onto that plateau. Memphis is the #1 overall seed in the tournament, and gets the play-in game winner of Lamar/Alabama State.

Next, let’s take a look at the Midwest region:

Comments: Tennessee is #1 in the RPI,#4 in the polls — they’re a more deserving 1 seed than North Carolina or UCLA at this stage. Louisville’s play of late has warranted at least a 4 seed, and at this point I think they’re a 3 seed. Marquette is more than an 8 seed - they were moved due to bracket accomodations.

Finally, let’s check out the West region:

Comments: Kansas gets the final 1 seed slot. Wisconsin is a bit overvalued at a 3 seed…or are they? Hopefully things will shake out with the Badgers before March. Xavier is incredibly dangerous as a 4 seed. Syracuse sneaks in with an 11 seed, thanks to the win over Georgetown this weekend. Miami is one of the last teams in.

SPECIFICS

LAST FOUR IN: Florida, UNLV, Miami (Fl), St. Joseph’s

LAST FOUR OUT: Oregon, Mississippi, South Alabama, Arizona State

BRACKET MOVEMENTS (due to bracketing rules): Marquette down 1, Baylor down 1, Gonzaga up 1, Arizona up 1