Too early to predict March Madness? Not quite

College football season is in full swing and commands the national spotlight here in early October as it should.

But this year college basketball shares a little more time with its autumn-based brother. Hoops practice began in September, and coaches have six weeks to fit in 30 preseason practices, not the usual 30 days. There are plenty of reasons why these changes took place, but we won't get into all of that right now.

Looking ahead, we have the NCAA tournament custom-made for Midwestern basketball fans, especially if they're a top-four seed. Often that will get you a game closer to home. Plus, two of the four regional sites (Indianapolis, Memphis) are within a day's drive for most Big Ten/Big 12 fans.

If Iowa can squeeze into a No. 4 seed, the Hawkeyes have a chance at landing in St. Louis or Milwaukee. Given that most of their top-shelf Big Ten foes are located east of Iowa, it seems St. Louis is more realistic. Not a bad four-hour drive, if that's how it works out. Iowa State also looks like a strong candidate for an at-large spot this year, too.

The tournament does have a few changes this year. The principles around seeding have changed to allow conference foes to square off in earlier rounds. Also, all the conference movement makes for some interesting potential match-ups.

So here's a way, way too early look at an NCAA tournament bracket for next March:

EAST REGIONAL -- New York City, March 28-30

At Raleigh, N.C., March 21-23

1. Duke vs. 16. Long Island

8. Georgetown vs. 9. UNLV

At St. Louis, March 21-23

5. UConn vs. 12. Pittsburgh/Indiana State

4. Iowa vs. 13. Harvard

At Buffalo, March 20-22

3. Ohio State vs. 14. Cleveland State

6. Baylor vs. 11. California

At Buffalo, March 20-22

7. Virginia Commonwealth vs. 10. Missouri

2. Syracuse vs. 15. North Dakota State

SOUTH REGION -- Memphis, Tenn., March 27-29

At St. Louis, March 21-23

1. Kentucky vs. 16. UC-Irvine

8. Virginia vs. 9. Iowa State

At Spokane, Wash., March 20-22

5. Wisconsin vs. 12. BYU

4. Creighton vs. 13. Toledo

At Raleigh, N.C., March 21-23

3. North Carolina vs. 14. Stony Brook

6. Memphis vs. 11. Southern Miss

At Milwaukee, March 20-22

7. San Diego State vs. 10. Stanford

2. Michigan vs. 15. Charleston Southern

MIDWEST REGION -- Indianapolis, March 28-30

At Milwaukee, March 20-22

1. Michigan State vs. 16. Georgia State/North Dakota

8. Cincinnati vs. 9. Maryland

At Orlando, March 20-22

5. Wichita State vs. 12. Davidson

4. Florida vs. 13. Iona

At San Diego, March 21-23

3. Colorado vs. 14. Mercer

6. Notre Dame vs. 11. Bucknell

At San Antonio, March 21-23

7. Tennessee vs. 10. St. Louis

2. Kansas vs. 15. Southeast Missouri State

WEST REGION -- Anaheim, Calif., March 27-29

At Orlando, March 20-22

1. Louisville vs. 16. Alabama A&M/Towson

8. Oregon vs. 9. Illinois

At Spokane, Wash., March 20-22

5. Marquette vs. 12. Louisiana State/LaSalle

4. Gonzaga vs. 13. New Mexico State

At San Antonio, March 21-23

3. Oklahoma State vs. 14. McNeese State

6. Indiana vs. 11. UCLA

At San Diego, March 21-23

7. New Mexico vs. 10. Villanova

2. Arizona vs. 15 Norfolk State

FINAL FOUR -- Arlington, Texas, April 5-7