RPI guru Jerry Palm says the loss of sophomore C Fab Melo would have dropped Syracuse to a 2-seed if the committee had known about Melo's postseason ban. Wisconsin remained a 4-seed (albeit in Kentucky's South region) in Palm's re-imagining. SI's Luke Winn also examined the impact of Melo's absence.
As it is, UW and Vandy have a great opportunity in the East region. The Orange are still good without their defensive anchor, but fell to Notre Dame during Melo's earlier 3-game suspension. Syracuse is more than mortal. No. 2 seed Ohio State has to be licking its chops as well.
Maybe, just maybe, Bucky has finally gotten luck on his side in the Big Dance.
