Buzzmaster

  (4:10 PM)

Hang on folks. Joe's a busy man this time of year. We're tracking him down.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:35 PM)

Sorry for the late arrival. Some travel issues...

Buzzmaster

  (4:35 PM)

Joe just got off a delayed flight. He's going to try and log in now!

Cory (Omaha, NE)

Please explain how Creighton is a #8 seed. How does that make sense considering their #19 ranking and #23 RPI? They also won the MVC tourney, and finished 2nd in regular season to Wichita St. And how can the Shockers be a #5 seed compared to Creighton a #8? Yes I know I'm a Creighton homer here in Omaha, but just looking for some clarity on why they're set to play UNC in Greensboro in Round 2.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:36 PM)

I only thought two or three teams in the field were under seeded. Unfortunately, Creighton is one of them. I had the Blue Jays more in the 6-7 range at worst.

Rich (Jersey Shore)

Iona is the surprise team of the tournament, are they deserving to be there or someone other school?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:37 PM)

I have no problem with Iona being in the field. Any time a high quality mid-major gets in over a "middling" major is a good thing in my book.

Alex (Anaheim)

Did Cal get penalized too harshly for their rough end to the season, or are they just lucky they avoided Washington's fate?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:38 PM)

Not a question of punishment, Alex. More an issue of not beating enough tournament-level teams.

Jim (Memphis)

What was your "hit" rate this year? 68/68?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:38 PM)

Missed Iona (happily).

Jacob Robinson (Florida)

Does florida state have a good chance of winning the tournament after winning the acc?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:39 PM)

History would suggest the opposite, Jacob.

zack (toronto)

Now that Melo is out for the Cuse. Does OSU become the overwhelming favourite to win the East region?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:40 PM)

I don't think there was an overwhelming East Region favorite before Melo's ineligibility. Now that region is even more wide open. AM sticking with me Wisconsin "sleeper" pick.

Devin (Indy)

What are your thoughts on Butler potentially moving to the A10? I personally think they should continue dominating the Horizon which will persist once Rontei Clark becomes eligible and their recruits come in next year.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:41 PM)

Don't have any inside info (yet), but I think it's generally in a program's best interest to maximize its NCAA tourney chances. A league that averages 3+ bids is thus better than one at 1 . Selfishly, I'd love to see it.

John (Louisville)

Where would Syracuse have been seeded without Melo and how obvious is it that someone knew about this and held off so Cuse could get that top seed... They did this two years ago!

Joe Lunardi

  (4:43 PM)

That was my first thought, John, but it's only a thought. No hard information about the situation. Don't think they would have been worse than a No. 2 regardless.

Jimmy (North Dakota)

Can Michigan make a run to the Elite 8??

Joe Lunardi

  (4:43 PM)

Not sure they have enough inside to beat North Carolina.

Jesse (Madison)

Can you please explain to me why everyone is assuming Syracuse is going to play Vandy this tournament? I know it's possible, but why is everyone dismissing Wisconsin?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:43 PM)

Not me, Jesse.

Adam (Dayton)

Indiana plays in the best conference in the country and everyone is thinking wich state will win in the second round.. Are you kidding?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:44 PM)

It's not the Valley playing the Big Ten, Adam, it's Wichita State's guys against Indiana's guys. That's what makes the tournament great!

Dan (Dallas)

Who do you think will win the BYU/Iona game? I think Iona. BYU has a shaky defense and Iona has a great offence.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:45 PM)

The real question is BYU's offense. Iona practically lets you score, but you have to have enough skill to keep up.

Andrew (WI)

A lot of emphasis these days on the non-conference SoS (and rightly so). One concern: in addition to the raw SoS number, does the committee take a look at HOW a team winds up at the number? With bracketbuster and bracketbuster return games, MWC/MVC challenges, holiday tournaments, etc., there seems to be a fair bit of luck (good and bad) for mid-majors when it comes to their non-con.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:46 PM)

There's some luck involved with all NonConf SOS outcomes, but not if you schedule so badly that even positive opponent outcomes aren't good enough.

Laura (Omaha)

I've heard many saying that Creighton was seeded 8 because the committee wanted a Barnes/McDermott Ames High reunion. Do you buy this?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:47 PM)

Not even a little bit, Laura.

zach (nyc)

totally get the overwhelming idea that FSU could make a final four run, but does anyone want to play this St. Bonaventure team right now? With Andrew Nicholson on the floor, I don't think anything is a foregone conclusion.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:47 PM)

This will be a tight game if the Bonaventure supporting cast plays at the same high level I saw in Atlantic City.

Matt (Memphis)

What do you think about Memphis' chances of of upsetting Sparty if they get past SLU? If coach Cal was still at the helm he would be beating the "disrespect drum" loud right now about that 8 seed.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:48 PM)

Love this match up for SLU.

Dusty (St. Louis)

So Mizzou fans were hoping for a 1 seed and the tournament committee had them as the last 2 seed? Was their nonconference schedule really that bad? As a Kansas fan I could not be happier.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:50 PM)

Yes, it might have been the weakest non-conference schedule ever had Mizzou made it to the top line.

Robert (Raleigh NC)

If you are NC State, are you not jumping for joy right now? They couldn't have picked a better two game path to the sweet 16. And I'm a UNC fan saying this!

Joe Lunardi

  (4:53 PM)

They had to wait until the last spot was unveiled, but it was apparently worth the wait.

Eric (KS)

biggest round of 64 upset

Joe Lunardi

  (4:53 PM)

New Mexico State over Indiana.

Matt (Memphis)

So you love SLU's chances of beating Sparty? Or just Memphis? Very vague answer there Joe.

Joe Lunardi

  (4:53 PM)

Just Memphis...

Nate (Madison)

Tell me Murray State is another underseeded team. I mean they win their conference, win the conference tourney, have one loss, and are ranked 12th. Yet, they draw a 6-seed?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:58 PM)

Not under seeded in my view, but just right. It's very difficult to compare the Murray State's of the world (as much as I like them). Love their draw vs. Colorado State.

Chris (Florida)

So now that Fab Melo is out, is that almost a guarantee that Syracuse will lose to vandy or Wisconsin if not before?

Joe Lunardi

  (4:59 PM)

The Orange won several games with Fab, remember.

Joe Lunardi

  (5:00 PM)

WIll leave you with my Final Four: Kentucky, Mizzou, Wisconsin and Carolina. UK over UNC in a classic rematch. Enjoy the Madness!