Note: This post is from 2009. To view our 2010 March Madness coverage, use the following links:
- March Madness 2010 Schedule, Sites, and Tickets
- MSF Bracket Challenge
- Mens NCAA Tournament Bracket, TV Schedule, Announcers, Spreads
- Midwest Region Bracket Picks, Predictions, TV Schedule, Sites, Announcers
- East Region Bracket Picks, Predictions, TV Schedule, Sites, Announcers
- South Region Bracket Picks, Predictions, TV Schedule, Sites, Announcers
- West Region Bracket Picks, Predictions, TV Schedule, Sites, Announcers
- History of Final Four in Indianapolis
- Women’s NCAA Tournament Schedule, Sites, Tickets
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(Note 3/16, 1:12 pm: March Madness is here! Each of of these regional primers will be constantly updated with the official brackets and TV schedules, my predictions, ticket resources, game point spreads and odds, plus the results as they pour in over the next two weeks. Just as we did with out conference tournament posts, this series of posts is designed for you to bookmark and come back to anytime you need information on one of the regions in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.)
2009 NCAA Tournament: South Region
Here is the pertinent meta information for the South Region of the 2009 NCAA Tournament:
- Sweet 16 and Elite 8 Location: FedEx Forum — Memphis, TN
- Top 4 Seeds: #1 North Carolina, #2 Oklahoma, #3 Syracuse, #4 Gonzaga
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- Ticket Information for First and Second Round Sites: first round locations are based on pod system. Find the location for each game below, and then follow the links to get ticket information for all first and second round sites in the 2009 NCAA Tournament:
StubHub: 2009 NCAA Tournament First and Second Tickets
RazorGator: 2009 NCAA Tournament First and Second Round Tickets—————
- Ticket Information for Regional Semifinal and Regional Final Rounds in Memphis:
StubHub: 2009 South Regional Final and Semifinal Tickets – Memphis
RazorGator: 2009 South Regional Final and Semifinal Tickets – Memphis
Now, let’s break down the bracket for the South Region of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. First, a few quick notes:
- This should go without saying, but for any March Madness first-timers: all games are on CBS. You’ll have to check your local listings to find out which games are on in your area. But all games can be viewed live online for free at the following link:
Watch NCAA Tournament Games Online at March Madness On Demand - If you want to view the schedule in actual bracket form, there is a link underneath the table.
- The table below provides the following details on a game-by-game basis: date, time, location, announcers, and the point spread.
- I will add/update the information as it becomes available. If any piece of information is missing and you know it, or know where it is, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment. I’ll appreciate it. I promise.
- All spreads are as of 3/16 and provided by Sportsbook.com via DocSports. Follow the links for the most current spread info. Announcer schedules courtesy of Awful Announcing.
And now, here is the schedule breakdown for the 2009 NCAA Tournament South Region:
South Regional Bracket, TV Schedule, Sites, Announcers
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time | Location | Announcers | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST ROUND | ||||||
| 1 | #1 North Carolina def. #16 Radford 101-58 | Thu, 3/19 | 2:50 PM | Greensboro | Nantz-Kellogg | UNC -27 |
| 2 | #8 LSU def. #9 Butler 75-71 | Thu, 3/19 | 12:20 PM | Greensboro | Nantz-Kellogg | LSU -2 1/2 |
| 3 | #4 Gonzaga def. #13 Akron 77-64 | Thu, 3/19 | 7:25 PM | Portland | Harlan-Bonner | GON -11.5 |
| 4 | #12 Western Kentucky def #5 Illinois 76-72 | Thu, 3/19 | 9:55 PM | Portland | Harlan-Bonner | ILL -4 |
| 5 | #2 Oklahoma def. #15 Morgan St. 82-54 | Thu, 3/19 | 9:40 PM | Kansas City | Brando-Gminski | OU -16.5 |
| 6 | #10 Michigan def. #7 Clemson 62-59 | Thu, 3/19 | 7:10 PM | Kansas City | Brando-Gminski | CLEM -5.5 |
| 7 | #3 Syracuse def. #14 Stephen F. Austin 59-44 | Fri, 3/20 | 12:15 PM | Miami | Eagle-Spanarkel | SYR -12.5 |
| 8 | #6 Arizona St. def. #11 Temple 66-57 | Fri, 3/20 | 2:45 PM | Miami | Eagle-Spanarkel | ASU -5 |
| SECOND ROUND | ||||||
| 9 | #1 North Carolina def. #8 LSU 84-70 | Sat. 3/21 | 5:45 PM | Greensboro | Nantz-Kellogg | UNC -11 1/2 |
| 10 | #4 Gonzaga def. #12 Western Kentucky 83-81 | Sat. 3/21 | 8:10 PM | Portland | Harlan-Bonner | GON -10 1/2 |
| 11 | #2 Oklahoma def. #10 Michigan 73-63 | Sat. 3/21 | 5:50 PM | Kansas City | Brando-Gminski | OU -6 1/2 |
| 12 | #3 Syracuse def. #6 Arizona State 78-67 | Sun, 3/22 | 12:10 PM | Miami | Eagle-Spanarkel | SU -1 1/2 |
| SWEET 16 | ||||||
| 13 | #1 North Carolina def. #4 Gonzaga 98-77 | March 27 | 9:57 PM | Memphis | Nantz-Kellogg | UNC -8 1/2 |
| 14 | #2 Oklahoma def. #3 Syracuse 84-71 | March 27 | 7:27 PM | Memphis | Nantz-Kellogg | OU -1 1/2 |
| ELITE 8 - REGIONAL FINAL | ||||||
| 15 | #1 North Carolina def. #2 Oklahoma 72-60 | March 29 | 5:05 PM | Memphis | Nantz-Kellogg | UNC -6.5 |
Follow the link for a PDF of a printable 2009 NCAA Tournament Bracket, delivered by CollegeHoopsNet.com.
FYI, the in-studio hosts for CBS’ coverage of the 2009 NCAA Tournament this year will be Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony, and Seth Davis. Here are the 8 announcer pairings for the first and second round games:
- Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg (will handle Final Four)
- Verne Lundquist and Bill Raftery
- Dick Enberg or Carter Blackburn and Jay Bilas
- GUS JOHNSON!!! and Len Elmore
- Kevin Harlan and Dan Bonner
- Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkel
- Craig Bolerjack and Bob Wenzel
- Tim Brando and Mike Gminski
If there is anything specific you’d like to know but don’t feel like looking up for yourself, just ask in the comments. We’re all about on-demand information here at MSF.
UPDATE 3/17: It’s time for some predictions.
Earlier today, I posted my official one-and-only NCAA Tournament bracket predictions. I actually devised what I call a subjective-objective metric-based approach to my predictions this year. For a complete explanation of the metrics I used and how the system worked, read the complete Mens Tournament Bracket Prediction post. (FYI: Some of the analysis-based verbiage below may not make complete sense without reading the explanation in the bracket prediction post.)
Here is the section specific to the South region:
South Region Predictions
First Round Picks – South Region
- #1 North Carolina
- #9 Butler over #8 LSU
- #5 Illinois over #12 Western Kentucky
- #4 Gonzaga over #13 Akron
- #6 Arizona State over #11 Temple
- #3 Syracuse over #14 Stephen F. Austin
- #7 Clemson over #10 Michigan
- #2 Oklahoma over #15 Morgan State
A pretty much by-the-seed first round in the South. There are a few games I would not be surprised to see go the other way (WKU over Illinois, Michigan over Clemson, for example) but I have no issue
s with any of these games. Butler and LSU was close, and LSU actually has more experience and turns the ball over less, but Butler actually played a tougher schedule and was better on the road. I like rooting for the Bulldogs anyway, so I’m glad this turned out how it did.
Second Round Picks – South Region
- #1 North Carolina over #9 Butler
- #4 Gonzaga over #5 Illinois
- #3 Syracuse over #6 Arizona State
- #2 Oklahoma over #7 Clemson
Chalk reigns again as the top four seeds all advance. Illinois versus Gonzaga was very close, but I definitely would have picked Gonzaga in this one without the stats, so I feel good that it turned out this way — especially with Illinois not having Chester Frazier. Syracuse-Arizona State was won by the Orange based on their seed, but I would not be shocked to see ASU win. Syracuse turns the ball over a lot and is not good at all from the FT line. But I do love their backcourt and think Jonny Flynn is one of the ten best players in America and could lead my team anytime.
Sweet 16 Picks – South Region
- #1 North Carolina over #4 Gonzaga
- #2 Oklahoma over #3 Syracuse
Chalk again. And neither is really all that close. Surely Ty Lawson would be healthy (or healthy enough) by the Sweet 16, and I think UNC would need him to beat a really good Gonzaga team. Oklahoma beats Syracuse in everything but SOS. And honestly? It’s about time a Big East team did not make the Elite 8. With a healthy Blake Griffin all year, Oklahoma probably gets a #1 seed. This is not a surprise to see them advance so far.
Elite 8 Pick – South Region
- #1 North Carolina over #2 Oklahoma
The Tar Heels actually beat Oklahoma in every category. Before looking at the stats I wondered who I would pick just based on the eyeball test. But it’s hard to argue with a system that I devised saying North Carolina is better in every category. The Tar Heels head to the Final Four.
About Jerod Morris
