LJW sports editor Tom Keegan will take your questions about tournament brackets and KU’s matchups on Monday after the pairings are announced.

Moderator

Hello and welcome to today’s chat. I’m Ryan Greene, your KUSports.com editor, and I’ll be moderating today’s chat with none other than Tom Keegan, Journal-World sports editor, who arrived back in town just minutes ago from a week-long adventure in Oklahoma City. Thanks for joining us, Tom. Good to be back? Yesterday was some pretty exciting stuff.

Tom Keegan

Thanks, Ryan. It’s good to be back, but man is Oklahoma City an underrated town. I hear it didn’t used to be much, but they’ve done a great job at building it up. And what a great game yesterday.

Moderator

Before we get to the questions, what was more exciting to watch? That game or Marquette’s seeding?

Tom Keegan

That game. The great team usually beats the great individual, not that Texas isn’t a team capable of winning it all, too. As for Marquette’s first-round matchup, it’s a tough one, but not nearly as tough as the second-round matchup.

cellogrl

I would like to know what your opinion is on why some of the other “Power Conferences” such as the ACC and the Pac-10 are regarded as stronger conferences than the Big 12. I realize that they have some perennial powerhouses such as North Carolina, Duke, and UCLA, but so do we! Look at KU and Texas! I just think that we get snubbed yearly (us not getting the #1 overall seed and K-State being excluded) and I was wondering what your opinion is on why.

Tom Keegan

Cellogrl, I don’t think denial ever helps any situation. The Big 12 needs to get better and will with all the new coaches in the league. Also, if Kelvin Sampson hadn’t bolted from Oklahoma (hold on, I have to answer my cell phone … Oh, hi Calivn, you must have the wrong number. I’m not a recruit. Bye.) the Sooners would have Scottie Reynolds, a phenomenal point guard for Villanova and Damion James, a terrific rebounder for Texas. … But you are right about Kansas State. The Wildcats clearly deserved a bid, but the committee got it right in giving four bids to the Big 12. Texas Tech did not deserve a bid. Kansas received a No. 1 bid, so I wouldn’t stress too much about it being the fourth No. 1 bid. The Big 12 wasn’t a great conference this year, but they do have three teams that could win it all.

justthefacts

I’m not highly trained expert, by a long shot, but the brackets sure look stacked to me. Am I just being paranoid, or is the group of teams in the West division a much better group of teams then some of the other divisions? And if so, is that kind of thing common or are the “Bracketologists” just making sure their favorite teams get further?

Tom Keegan

Since you asked, yes, you’re being paranoid. Duke, for example, is a weak No. 6 seed. If KU plays Duke, the Blue Devils will turn it over 30 times. Also, Indiana is no great shakes and Pittsburgh is a weak No. 3 seed. I think the second-round game for Kansas is a tough one. Both Kentucky and Villanova deserved about a No. 6 seed. Also, obviously, UCLA is a tough No. 2. (By the way, I’m a fellow Dragnet fan.)

Moderator

Lets talk away from KU for a second…who are some potential spoilers in the tourney field?

Tom Keegan

Maryland is really good and it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if the Terps advanced to the Final Four. I also like Georgia Tech and Notre Dame a lot. Virginia Tech is an interesting team, too.

ViperBlue

I a heathly Louisville the best dark horse pick in the tournament? They have to face Texas A&M is in the second round.

Tom Keegan

Is this David Padgett? If so, glad to see you still read KUsports.com. Sorry, though, big fella, I’m not seeing it.

youngitized

Do you think it is crazy to pick Gonzaga over UCLA and to have Kansas winning it all?

Tom Keegan

Having Kansas winning it all isn’t crazy at all. Just as it wouldn’t be crazy to pick Georgetown, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio State, Maryland, Texas, Texas A&M, or UCLA to win it all. I wouldn’t pick Gonzaga over UCLA, though. The Bruins’ guards play great defense.

Moderator

We’ve got Tom for two more questions…

mom_of_three

Were you surprise that Duke is such a high seed at 22-10 and 8-8 in their league, when K-State, who was 23-11, 10-6, didn’t make it?

Tom Keegan

I was surprised that Duke was so high. Off the top of my head I’d say Duke should be about a No. 8 seed and Kansas State a No. 10 seed. Careful with comparing the conference records, though. Playing a Big 12 North schedule is easier than an ACC schedule.

justthefacts

How much of the bracketing is determined by money – i.e. making sure the teams who can pull the most fans to the tournaments get into the final groupings?

Tom Keegan

Not at all. The only place that comes in is when determining which city to send the schools in the first two rounds.

Moderator

Well hey Tom, thanks for taking the time this afternoon. Before letting you go, how far will KU go? Your word is the truth, after all.

Tom Keegan

I’ll say KU to the Final Four. I’ll send Maryland, Ohio State and Georgetown there as well. Thanks for chatting.

Moderator

Sounds good. And thanks to everyone for joining us today. Take care.