First, a reminder in case you're joining late. (Read our recap of the First Four matchups here) These seeds were calculated using a weighted average between how the teams connect on social media, the level of access they give you to their program, the level of branding and emotion they deliver, the quality and depth of content, and (naturally) the intangibles... though it's digital so isn't everything intangible?
And finally, keep in mind that every team in this field of 68 is inspiring -- that's how they got here, to the big digital stage. And we can take great learnings from each of them.
Enjoy!
1- Duke vs. 16- Sacramento State
The classic 1-16 matchup. National powerhouse versus champion of a low-major. This is one that Duke doesn't take for granted -- hitting us with a level of connection and access that few others get at.
Duke
Conference: ACC
Website: http://www.dukeblueplanet.com and http://www.goduke.com
Bid: ACC Champ, Automatic
Breaking Down Duke: The Dukies give us one of the best examples of leveraging social. This plays out by giving us access to every blog and expert on Twitter you can think of... and those you can't think of. They add in highlight reels and athlete-led tours. In short, you'll find more access here than anywhere.
Bid: Big Sky Champ, Automatic
Breaking Down Sacramento State: Sacramento State created a virtual guide to athletics, accessible here, that gives you a deeper look into every sport. It's a nice visual experience that needs to break out and permeate the main athletics site.
8- Oregon vs. 9- Tennessee
Great matchup, as the 8-9 often is! Two solid branding examples...
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down Oregon: The Ducks offer strong branding throughout, highlighted by their recruiting section appropriately entitled "BE A DUCK." Dive in for yourself, here.
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down Tennessee: Tennessee is a tough one to analyze. Early in the season, they offered a lot more ways to connect than they do now. Coach Pearl had his own Facebook page and website that have, naturally, scaled back of late. Still, solid branding and strong access to social. I guess they are the classic team that started the season hot but goes into the tourney with less momentum...
4- Michigan State vs. 13- Princeton
A defensive, physical, fundamental battle in real life becomes a battle of traditions online...
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down Michigan State: The Spartans hit you with one of the best branding jobs you'll find, anywhere. Amazing photography, solid copy, and an emotional feel that makes you kind of root for the Spartans. Really, check this out here.
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down Princeton: Easy access to the blog and podcasts, right from the main home page, make the Tigers both easy to follow and current.
5- Central Michigan vs. 12- Northeastern
Always pick at least one 12-seed in your bracket, right? But if CMU wins, we could see a dream matchup of CMU versus Michigan State.
Bid: MAC Champion, Automatic
Breaking Down CMU: Once you get to the CMU Recruiting site, here, you get a feel for the impact this program has on the lives of its student athletes. I love how they elevate players for how they evolved as players and as people while on campus.
Bid: Colonial Champion, Automatic
Breaking Down Northeastern: Want live audio of your campus radio station? Northeastern delivers this for you inside their iPhone app -- no doubt making it easier to connect with the athletics programs... and the student body. Get it for yourself here.
3- Nebraska vs 14- George Washington/Middle Tennessee State
Nebraska is not just a football school, but they leverage that energy for good.
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down Nebraska: This website (here) did more to change my impression of a program than just about any I came across. It positions the Huskers as a pro-like atmosphere that delivers pro-ready athletes. Really nice use of video and photography.
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down GW: Get to Coach Hobbs' website, here, and you'll get a sense for the team's philosophy and style of play. That's really what you need as a recruit to see where you fit in.
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down MTSU: The Blue Raiders have a clean site that makes it super easy to follow them on Facebook or Twitter. This site design shows you a simple philosophy can lead to a big impact.
6- Tennessee Tech vs 11- Syracuse
Funny to see these teams matched up with these seeds, huh? And odd that they'll be squaring off blog-to-blog. I feel like I'm always missing on the 6-11 games in real life.
Tennessee Tech
Conference: Ohio Valley
Website: http://www.ttusports.com
Bid: OVC Champ, Automatic
Breaking Down Tennessee Tech: Tennessee Tech delivers one of the best blogs in college hoops, here. It's one of the best not because its glamorous or expensive but rather because it gives you an honest feel of what the culture and vibe on this team is like... and it makes you want to be a part of that.
Syracuse
Conference: Big East
Website: http://suathletics.syr.edu
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down Syracuse: The Orangemen offer a great blog of their own right, here. And they package social in prominent, strong branding.
7- New Mexico vs 10 Rutgers
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down New Mexico: The Lobos elevate Recruiting content by sport inside "Be a Lobo." Dive in here and you'll see a deep wall of video content including some amazing shots of their gym, the Pit.
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down Rutgers: Rutgers makes the tourney because of a consistent and clean style that is built upon. They make it easy to get the right content (recruiting info, for example) and they pump in Twitter updates to keep the site alive.
2-Boston vs 15- NC State
Interesting matchup. Maybe the most surprising in this region?
Interesting matchup. Maybe the most surprising in this region?
Bid: Automatic, America East Champ
Breaking Down Boston: I'm betting the America East conference has never earned a 2-seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball tourney. But they earned this one with access to the team that's pretty tough to stop. Coach Chambers delivers a fantastic blog that includes a personal touch in FlipCam videos. He even lets his players guest write from time to time. That not only gives a cool perspective but it subtly shows trust between coach and players. Check this blog, here.
Bid: At-Large
Breaking Down NC State: The final team in the East Region. NC State does a nice job of thinking big (They have a platform for Fan Photos in Facebook, here). And they do a nice job of the essentials (easy access for Recruiting info and Twitter updates). All packaged in a nice design -- making them a strong 15-seed.
That's a stacked region. But is it the toughest? Which favorite would have the toughest matchup? Those questions in due time... But first, come back tomorrow as we dive into the third of our four regions...
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