[jonnyss]

That new re-seeding by ESPN gives some different perspectives on the relative difficulties of the regions. Yes, they now have Stanford as the #1 #1, but potentially we're up against the #2 #2 (Texas). And Maryland is now rated a #3 seed. The semi-finals will be a challenge before we can even think about the difficulty of a Texas/OSU match. At any rate, to summarize the regions:  SPOKANE has teams with the following seedings:  #1 (Stanford); #2 (Texas); #3 (Maryland); #4 (OSU).  BRIDGEPORT: #1 (NC State); #2 UConn; #2 Michigan; #4 South Dakota.  WICHITA:  #1 Louisville; #3 Iowa State; #4 Tennessee; $4 Creighton.  GREENSBORO: #1 South Carolina; #2 Michigan; #4 North Carolina; #4 South Dakota.

If you add up the new seeding of the teams in each region -- you get a relative strength/difficulty of each region. On this metric, the most difficult region now is Bridgeport, with a total seed # of 9; next, Spokane with 10; then Greensboro with 11; then Wichita 12.  Of course, this is all totally speculative and who knows that the real relative strengths are. To my unexpert eye, it looks as if Wichita is by far the weakest and this seed summary-based order makes sense. I do think Bridgeport now looks the most challenging to get out of, but Spokane isn't going to be at all easy.

thanks for posting. i think you want notre dame and indiana in Bridgeport.

[jonnyss]

That new re-seeding by ESPN gives some different perspectives on the relative difficulties of the regions. Yes, they now have Stanford as the #1 #1, but potentially we're up against the #2 #2 (Texas). And Maryland is now rated a #3 seed. The semi-finals will be a challenge before we can even think about the difficulty of a Texas/OSU match. At any rate, to summarize the regions:  SPOKANE has teams with the following seedings:  #1 (Stanford); #2 (Texas); #3 (Maryland); #4 (OSU).  BRIDGEPORT: #1 (NC State); #2 UConn; #2 Michigan; #4 South Dakota.  WICHITA:  #1 Louisville; #3 Iowa State; #4 Tennessee; $4 Creighton.  GREENSBORO: #1 South Carolina; #2 Michigan; #4 North Carolina; #4 South Dakota.

If you add up the new seeding of the teams in each region -- you get a relative strength/difficulty of each region. On this metric, the most difficult region now is Bridgeport, with a total seed # of 9; next, Spokane with 10; then Greensboro with 11; then Wichita 12.  Of course, this is all totally speculative and who knows that the real relative strengths are. To my unexpert eye, it looks as if Wichita is by far the weakest and this seed summary-based order makes sense. I do think Bridgeport now looks the most challenging to get out of, but Spokane isn't going to be at all easy.

thanks for posting. i think you want notre dame and indiana in Bridgeport.