March Madness by the eBay Stats

University of Florida Gators, Ohio State Buckeyes, San Diego State Aztecs

Gauging from the past few weeks of basketball, the NCAA tournament, which kicks off today, should have more bizarre twists than a Charlie Sheen webisode. Awhile back, BYU was in the conversation for a national title. Now, the Cougars go into the March Madness tournament without their leading rebounder (suspended for an honor-code violation) and far fewer believers. Similarly, more recently, Texas was projected as a number one seed. A late-season stumble has caused the Longhorns to slide down to the fourth spot in the West region. Meanwhile, Connecticut was in danger of falling out of the top 25. But this past weekend, Jim Calhoun’s Huskies, fresh off their historic “five wins in five nights” Big East tournament title, snagged a number three seed.

Add to the mix an expanded field of 68, and this 2011 installment of March Madness could be one of the most exciting and unpredictable in history. It also promises to be the most maddening for the millions of people competing in bracket pools across the globe. But, then again, who said winning was easy?

We took the top two seeded teams in each of the four regions and ranked all eight teams according to the average price of their sports memorabilia on eBay in the past ninety days. Then we rounded up unique team autographs, collectible basketball jerseys, balls and other sports collectibles from current college basketball teams and historic March Madness teams of the past. (Search results from 12/9-3/8 for "TEAM NAME + Basketball" in the “Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop” section.) If you're looking for a way to fill those brackets, perhaps use this as an out-of-the-box guide.

1. University of Kansas (#1, Southwest)

Average eBay Price: $33.68

University of Kansas (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The University of Kansas Jayhawks give new meaning to the term twin towers with Marcus and Markieff Morris, identical siblings who have the talent to steamroll a clear path to the Final Four. If there’s a potential roadblock for Bill Self’s boys, it’s that talented but enigmatic point guard Tyshawn Taylor could fail to be an effective floor leader.

Roll over items for details

2011 Kansas Jayhawks Team Signed Basketball

(starting bid, $199.99)

KU Kansas Jayhawks Allen Fieldhouse Light Fixture

(buy it now price, $99.95)

2. Ohio State University (#1, East)

Average eBay Price: $32.22

Ohio State playing Northwestern (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Thad Matta’s top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (they're number one overall) will use their excellent offensive ball movement, as well as their stout defense—they rank 11th in the country in points allowed with 59.8—to try and become the fifth consecutive number one seed to cut down the nets at Reliant Stadium in Houston. They will also depend on forward Jared Sullinger, a six-foot-nine, 280 pound freshman, who can be a one-man wrecking crew in the low post.

Ohio State Team Signed Basketball Jersey Sullinger

(buy it now price, $279.95)

Evan Turner Ohio State Basketball Signed Floor

(buy it now price, $99.99)

3. Duke University (#1, West)

Average eBay Price: $31.20

Duke (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The defending champion Duke Blue Devils landed a number one seed, thanks in large part to their convincing 75-58 victory over North Carolina in Sunday's ACC championship tilt. Sweet revenge for a college basketball team that missed out on the regular-season title, losing 81-67 to their blood rivals in North Carolina a little over a week ago. While Coach K will depend on ACC Player of the Year and ACC tournament MVP Nolan Smith to impose his will against weaker competition, he will need streaky senior Kyle Singer and sophomore guard Seth Curry to knock-down shots from beyond the arc for his Blue Devils to still be dancing in April.

2010 NCAA Champs Duke Basketball Team Signed 16x20

(buy it now price, $199.99)

1964 Duke NCAA Basketball East Championship Program

(buy it now price, $165)

4. University of North Carolina (#2, East)

Average eBay Price: $19.18

University of North Carolina (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Despite falling to Duke in the ACC Tournament final, don’t be surprised if the University of North Carolina Tar Heels make a lot of noise in a very tough East Regional. The team’s Achilles heel could be their youth and inexperience—they only have two seniors on the roster. But Roy Williams’ squad, led by freshmen sensations Harrison Barnes and Kendall Marshall (who’s shown unexpected poise since taking over as the starting point guard midseason), have shown they can turn it on anytime and comeback on anybody.

New North Carolina 2009 NCAA Final Four Bracket Canvas

(buy it now price, $299.99)

New Mounted Memories North Carolina Vince Carter Signed Jersey

(buy it now price, $573.02)

 5. University of Pittsburgh (#1, Southeast)

Average eBay Price: $18.26

University of Panthers playing Georgetown University (Photo by Mitchell LaytonGetty Images)

How can you not win your conference tournament, let alone reach the final, and still earn a number one seed? Jamie Dixon’s Panthers did it by finishing the regular season atop the toughest league in the country, the Big East, which will send a record 11 teams into the NCAA tournament. Loaded with experience—many of their main players are either juniors or seniors—and muscle, Pittsburgh is poised to prove the selection committee got it right.

2010 Pittsburgh Panthers Team Signed Basketball

(buy it now price, $149.95)

Pittsburgh Panthers Dejuan Blair Signed License Plate

(buy it now price, $29.99)

6. University of Florida (#2, Southeast)

Average eBay Price: $18.03

University of Florida (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Charles Barkley said the Gators didn’t deserve a number two seed on yesterday’s selection show. It makes us nervous anytime we’re in agreement with Sir Charles, but we do tend to think he's right after watching Billy Donovan’s crew succumb Sunday afternoon to Kentucky in the SEC Tournament championship game. With that said, guards Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker give the Gators one of the most dangerous backcourt combos in the college game, and strong guard play is the key to any successful Final Four run. Even the Round Mound of Rebound can’t argue with that.

New 2008 UF Florida Gators Sec Championship Players Ring

(buy it now price, $3,145)

Florida Gators Team Signed Basketball Champs Hat

(buy it now price, $129.95)

 7. Notre Dame (#2, Southwest)

Average eBay Price: $12.41

Notre Dame playing Louisville (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

The Irish are led by Big East Coach of the Year Mike Brey off the court and one of the country’s elite players, guard Ben Hansborough, on the court. At six-foot-three, Hansborough is a skilled shooter with tremendous court vision. With an impressive resume that includes a perfect record at home in a cream-puff-devoid Big East, Notre Dame has the goods to make it to the Final Four.

Notre Dame Ben Hansbrough Signed NCAA Basketball

(buy it now price $54.99)

1939 College Basketball Ticket Illinois vs Notre Dame

(buy it now price, $99.95)

8. San Diego State University (#2, West)

Average eBay Price: $10.50

San Diego State (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

San Diego State earned a No. 2 seed by winning 32 games with only two losses, both coming against the BYU Cougars. While the San Diego State Aztecs have only beaten one ranked team in the regular season, Coach Steve Fisher has a veteran duo in D.J. Gay, a savvy point guard, and Billy White, who put on a sparkling show against nemesis Cougars in the Mountain West Conference finals, making the Aztecs one of the toughest outs in the field.

San Diego State Aztecs Team Signed Basketball

(buy it now price, $199.99)

1980-81 San Diego State Basketball Yearbook Tony Gwynn

(buy it now price, $25)