Utah will be the # 2 seed in the west for the following reasons:

1-) Utah will have ended the season on a 22 game winning streak. No other team in the nation (other than Duke or Coll. of Charleston who doesn't count in my book because they have played abslUTEly nobody) can boast a win streak like this.

2-) They will have an RPI in the mid 20's. The RPI is overrated and is not used as much as people think by the seeding committee.

3-) Last year, Utah's RPI was a meager 30 at the end of the season, coupled with Utah losing 2 of their last 5 games and and they still got the # 3 seed in the West.

4-) Utah's past history in the tourney. This DOES play a factor, and only one other team went as far as Utah did last year. Also, only 2 other teams (Arizona and THEM) have been to the Sweet Sixteen the past 3 seasons.

5-) The Rick Majerus factor. He has gained the respect of nearly every single person involved in college basketball.

Utah will be the # 2 seed in the West behind Stanford as the # 1 seed.

Rule

I Still think the consensus #1 Seeds will be Duke, Michigan State, UConn, and Auburn (even though they lost to Arkansas). Stanford, Arizona, Miami, St John's, Cincinnati and Ohio State are Utah's competition for a #2 seed right now, and one or more of those teams will probably drop another game. The PAC 10 champ will likely stay in the West, and fairly or unfairly, will likely get seeded above Utah.

My hopes are a 2 or 3 seed, with the Utes staying in the West, and opening in Seattle, since that's where I have tickets.

I also wouldn't be too harsh on College of Charleston. They beat North Carolina, which is better than anyone that Utah has beaten. They have beaten just about everyone else who shows up to play them, which is all that they can do. Your criticism of them is what everyone else in the country says about Utah. I think their coach, Kresse, is one of the top coaches in the country, with a consistent winning record to back it up (3rd highest winning percentage in the 90's), AND he says he is happy where he is and doesn't play the field for job offers every spring.

In my heart I would like to believe you, but with my head I think our weak schedule will hurt us so much that it will prevent us from getting a 2 seed. Wins against quality teams are very important and we just don't have them. RPI is a tie breaker and being in the mid 20's or 30'2 will hurt us. The WAC is weak this year and the only really quality teams we played outside the WAC we lost to them. Yes it was early and Harvey didn't play, but the NCAA will not care about that. The rating of our coach is not going to get us a higher seed either. If we get a 2 seed we will be lucky. The winning streak is impressive and a great thing for the Utes, but we were the favorite in every game. No real upsets unless it would be in New Mexico. Every team we are competing with for a 2 seed has played a much tougher schedule. That does not mean they are all better, but they will probably get the better seed.

Your points are excellent and I agree. But, first we must win our next 5 games and I beleive we need Arizona, St. Johns, Cincy, or Stanford to lose one or more games. In other words, we need to take care of business and get a little help. If we take care of business, we will be at least a 3 seed for the reasons you mentioned.

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