NCAA 2010 Final Four proves NO TEAM is SAFE!

The NCAA Division I Men's Final Four basketball tournament has always lived up to its expectations. This includes, seeing highly ranked teams making an early exit in unlikely upsets. Also this year, defending champions North Carolina did not even qualify for the tournament.

So far, Kansas (1), Villanova (2), Georgetown (3), Pittsburgh (3), New Mexico State (3), Vanderbilt (4), Maryland (4) and Wisconsin (4) have all bid farewell to their seasons and the NCAA Final Four tournament. All of these teams have been eliminated BEFORE reaching the third round of the tournament (at the very furthest). This year, just eight out of the remaining 16 are ranked in the top four.

The NCAA Final Four tournament has always had its share of upsets and "cinderella stories", most recently in 2008 when Davidson, led by Stephen Curry almost defeated eventual champions Kansas in a 59-57 showdown. However it is hard to remember when the last time so many highly ranked teams made such an early exit in the tournament. My research shows that:

• In 2006 - 10 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round
• In 2007 - 12 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round
• In 2008- 11 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round
• In 2009 - 14 teams ranked #4 or higher in region made it to the third round

Not since 2005 have so few top ranked teams made it through to the Sweet 16 (eight also). The most surprising bracket thus far has to be the East, which has the top two ranked teams in the region (Kentucky and West Virginia) facing number 11 and 12 ranked Washington and Cornell. It is also worth noting that #10 ranked St. Mary's has established itself as a threat with upsets over #7 Richmond and most recently over #2 Villanova.

Now it is unlikely that Washington, St. Mary's or Cornell will win the tournament, as three of the four remaining number one seeds are still in the tournament (Syracuse, Duke, Kentucky). However, it is definitely worth pointing out that this year's tournament has lived up to its entertainment standards; a tournament full of upsets, close games, and overtime thrillers!