Charlie Creme has been projecting the NCAA women's basketball field for ESPN for more than a decade. The "bracketologist" spoke this week on the process and the Gophers' chances with the Star Tribune's Michael Rand.
Q So how exactly do you explain to people what a "bracketologist" does?
A I think the simplest way I've come to describe it is that I forecast the tournament how it would look if the season ended today. Most people think I'm predicting who's going to win the whole thing. I have my opinions on that, but what I do is not really about how things play out. It's how we get to the tournament.
Q How much has interest changed over the years?
A This is the 11th year, and it's taken on a lot of different forms. It's grown because in general the idea of "bracketology" is discussed more and there are more outlets to discuss it with Twitter, more radio and television networks. It's great conversation.
Q What is a typical day like this time of year?
A The big updates for seeding won't come until Sunday. It all comes to a head Sunday night, and then there will be tweaks next week as some of the other leagues play.
Q For a team like Minnesota, which is on the bubble, what are the most important factors in figuring out if they're in or out?
