Bracketology 3/4/2022
Both Xavier and Wyoming looked pretty safe a few weeks ago and are now playing themselves into legitimate trouble. Xavier is on a 1-7 stretch that includes a home loss to DePaul, they’ve gone from a 5 seed to an 11 seed. Wyoming’s slide has been less severe, but they’ve still dropped 4 of 6 and would be advised to avoid a bad loss in the Mountain West tournament.
I’m headed to St. Louis for Arch Madness, which is shaping up to be one of the most interesting conference tournaments this year. Loyola probably needs to win a game or two to have a real shot at an at-large.
1: Gonzaga, Baylor, Arizona, Kansas
2: Auburn, Kentucky, Duke, Wisconsin
3: Purdue, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Villanova
4: Illinois, Providence, Arkansas, Houston
5: UCLA, Texas, St. Mary’s, Connecticut
6: Colorado State, USC, LSU, Alabama
7: Ohio State, Iowa, Murray State, Boise State
8: TCU, Seton Hall, Iowa State, Michigan State
9: Davidson, Marquette, San Francisco, Creighton
10: Miami (FL), San Diego State, Wake Forest, Notre Dame
11: Wyoming, North Texas, North Carolina, Xavier
12: (Michigan/SMU), (Memphis/Rutgers), South Dakota State, Chattanooga
13: Iona, Towson, Vermont, Toledo
14: Northern Iowa, New Mexico State, Montana State, Princeton
15: Texas State, Colgate, Jacksonville State, Long Beach State
16: Longwood, Bryant, (Norfolk State/Cleveland State), (Alcorn State/Nicholls State)
First Four Out: Indiana, Loyola Chicago, Virginia Tech, BYU
Next Four Out: Florida, VCU, Dayton, Oklahoma
Also Considered: Oregon, Belmont, Kansas State, Colorado
Bids by Conference:
Big Ten: 8
Big East: 7
Big 12: 6
SEC: 6
ACC: 5
Mountain West: 4
American: 3
Pac-12: 3
West Coast: 3
Bracketology 3/2/2022
There’s been a bit of a shakeup on the top line, as I’ve swapped Arizona and Kansas after last night’s results where the Wildcats destroyed USC on the road and Kansas lost to TCU. The latter result firmly locks up the Horned Frogs, who are heading to their second NCAA tournament of the millennium.
1: Gonzaga, Baylor, Arizona, Kansas
2: Auburn, Kentucky, Duke, Wisconsin
3: Purdue, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Villanova
4: Illinois, Providence, Houston, Arkansas
5: UCLA, Texas, St. Mary’s, Connecticut
6: Alabama, Colorado State, LSU, USC
7: Murray State, Ohio State, Iowa State, Boise State
8: Michigan State, TCU, Iowa, Marquette
9: Seton Hall, Davidson, San Francisco, Notre Dame
10: Wyoming, Miami (FL), Creighton, San Diego State
11: Xavier, Wake Forest, North Texas, Michigan
12: (North Carolina/Memphis), (SMU/Indiana), Iona, Chattanooga
13: South Dakota State, Towson, Vermont, Toledo
14: Northern Iowa, New Mexico State, Montana State, Princeton
15: Texas State, Colgate, Jacksonville State, Long Beach State
16: Longwood, Bryant, (Norfolk State/Cleveland State), (Alcorn State/Nicholls State)
First Four Out: Loyola Chicago, Virginia Tech, BYU, Rutgers
Next Four Out: Florida, VCU, Dayton, Oklahoma
Also Considered: Oregon, Belmont, Kansas State, Colorado
Bids by Conference:
Big Ten: 8
Big East: 7
Big 12: 6
SEC: 6
ACC: 5
Mountain West: 4
American: 3
Pac-12: 3
West Coast: 3
Bracketology 2/28/2022
Lots of teams played their way off the bubble this weekend. Most notable was Dayton, who took their 4th Q4 loss of the year against La Salle. Rutgers dropped their 3rd straight in a loss to Wisconsin, falling out of the field. Loyola Chicago lost on the road to Northern Iowa as well and might need to win Arch Madness to make the tournament.
The pool of potential bubble teams is getting smaller. I would define the real bubble as 17 teams for 8 spots- my last 8 in and my first 9 out. However, we’re likely to have some bid stealers (my guess is two) contracting that bubble.
1: Gonzaga, Baylor, Kansas, Arizona
2: Auburn, Kentucky, Purdue, Duke
3: Wisconsin, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Villanova
4: Providence, Illinois, Houston, Arkansas
5: Texas, UCLA, St. Mary’s, Connecticut
6: Alabama, Ohio State, USC, Colorado State
7: LSU, Murray State, Iowa State, Michigan State
8: Boise State, Iowa, Marquette, Seton Hall
9: TCU, Wyoming, Davidson, San Francisco
10: Notre Dame, Miami (FL), Creighton, Xavier
11: Wake Forest, North Texas, San Diego State, Memphis
12: (SMU/Michigan), (North Carolina/Indiana), Iona, Chattanooga
13: South Dakota State, Towson, Vermont, Toledo
14: Northern Iowa, New Mexico State, Montana State, Princeton
15: Texas State, Colgate, Jacksonville State, Long Beach State
16: Longwood, Bryant, (Norfolk State/Cleveland State), (Texas Southern/Nicholls State)
First Four Out: Loyola Chicago, BYU, Rutgers, Virginia Tech
Next Four Out: VCU, Florida, Oklahoma, Dayton
Also Considered: Oregon, Belmont, Kansas State, Colorado
Bids by Conference:
Big Ten: 8
Big East: 7
Big 12: 6
SEC: 6
ACC: 5
Mountain West: 4
American: 3
Pac-12: 3
West Coast: 3
Bracketology 2/25/2022
The biggest bubble result since my last update was Michigan’s win over Rutgers. Rutgers has fallen to my last team in the field now, they need to go 2-1 in their last 3 to remain in my bracket. Elsewhere, Murray State locked up their bid by destroying Belmont. Both Belmont and Morehead State are potential bid thieves should either knock the Racers out of the OVC tournament.
1: Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, Auburn
2: Baylor, Kentucky, Purdue, Duke
3: Texas Tech, Villanova, Wisconsin, Providence
4: Tennessee, Illinois, Houston, Ohio State
5: UCLA, Texas, Arkansas, Connecticut
6: Alabama, USC, Murray State, LSU
7: St. Mary’s, Colorado State, Boise State, Iowa State
8: Iowa, Michigan State, Marquette, Xavier
9: Seton Hall, Miami (FL), TCU, Wyoming
10: Davidson, San Francisco, Notre Dame, Wake Forest
11: North Texas, Creighton, Michigan, SMU
12: Loyola Chicago, (North Carolina/San Diego State), (Memphis/Rutgers), Iona
13: Chattanooga, New Mexico State, South Dakota State, Vermont
14: Toledo, Montana State, Princeton, Texas State
15: Colgate, Wagner, Jacksonville State, Longwood
16: Norfolk State, Long Beach State, (Cleveland State/Texas Southern), (UNC Wilmington/New Orleans)
First Four Out: Dayton, Indiana, BYU, VCU
Next Four Out: Florida, Oregon, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma
Also Considered: Virginia, Belmont, Kansas State, West Virginia
Moving In: Jacksonville State
Moving Out: Liberty
Bids by Conference:
Big Ten: 8
Big East: 7
Big 12: 6
SEC: 6
ACC: 5
Mountain West: 4
American: 3
Pac-12: 3
West Coast: 3
Bracketology 2/23/2022
I’ve moved Indiana out of the field for the first time all season after their loss to Ohio State on Monday night. The Hoosiers are 5-10 against the top two quadrants and their really poor non-conference SOS is coming back to bite them now. I also considered moving San Diego State out after their tough one point loss to Boise State but kept them in the First Four. The Aztecs still have some opportunities on the table with a trip to Wyoming and a home game against Fresno State coming up.
1: Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, Auburn
2: Baylor, Kentucky, Purdue, Duke
3: Texas Tech, Villanova, Illinois, Wisconsin
4: Tennessee, UCLA, Providence, Houston
5: Texas, Ohio State, Arkansas, Connecticut
6: Alabama, LSU, USC, St. Mary’s
7: Boise State, Murray State, , Iowa State, Colorado State
8: Iowa, Michigan State, Marquette, Xavier
9: Wyoming, TCU, Seton Hall, Miami (FL)
10: San Francisco, Wake Forest, Davidson, Notre Dame
11: North Texas, SMU, Loyola Chicago, Michigan
12: Rutgers, (Creighton/North Carolina), (San Diego State/Memphis), Iona
13: Chattanooga, New Mexico State, South Dakota State, Vermont
14: Toledo, Wagner, Montana State, Liberty
15: Princeton, Texas State, Colgate, Longwood
16: Norfolk State, Long Beach State, (Cleveland State/Texas Southern), (UNC Wilmington/New Orleans)
First Four Out: Dayton, Indiana, Belmont, BYU
Next Four Out: VCU, Virginia, Florida, Virginia Tech
Also Considered: Oklahoma, Kansas State, Oregon, West Virginia
Moving In: Memphis
Moving Out: Indiana
Bids by Conference:
Big Ten: 8
Big East: 7
Big 12: 6
SEC: 6
ACC: 5
Mountain West: 4
American: 3
Pac-12: 3
West Coast: 3
Bracketology 2/21/2022
The committee’s reveal of their top 16 teams on Saturday was pretty in line with my expectations. Illinois was decently higher than I expected, the committee noted they gave the Illini a bump to compensate for injury absences earlier in the year. They took Houston’s spot in the top 16.
I think that the top 38 teams in this seed list (from Miami on up) can feel reasonably secure about their place in the bracket. They’re not all locks by any stretch, but things would have to go significantly awry for any of them to miss the field.
1: Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas, Auburn
2: Baylor, Kentucky, Purdue, Duke
3: Texas Tech, Villanova, Illinois, Wisconsin
4: Tennessee, UCLA, Providence, Houston
5: Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, LSU
6: Ohio State, USC, Connecticut, St. Mary’s
7: Michigan State, Murray State, Boise State, Iowa State
8: Colorado State, Marquette, Xavier, Wyoming
9: TCU, Iowa, Seton Hall, San Francisco
10: Wake Forest, Miami (FL), Davidson, Notre Dame
11: North Texas, SMU, Loyola Chicago, Michigan
12: San Diego State, (Rutgers/Creighton), (North Carolina/Indiana), Iona
13: Chattanooga, New Mexico State, South Dakota State, Vermont
14: Toledo, Wagner, Montana State, Liberty
15: Princeton, Texas State, Colgate, Longwood
16: Norfolk State, Long Beach State, (Cleveland State/Texas Southern), (UNC Wilmington/New Orleans)
First Four Out: Memphis, Dayton, Belmont, BYU
Next Four Out: VCU, Florida, Virginia, Virginia Tech
Also Considered: Oklahoma, Kansas State, Oregon, West Virginia
Moving In: Creighton, SMU
Moving Out: Memphis, BYU
Bids by Conference:
Big Ten: 9
Big East: 7
Big 12: 6
SEC: 6
ACC: 5
Mountain West: 4
Pac-12: 3
West Coast: 3
American: 2
Bracketology 2/18/2022
Rutgers’ charge into contention continues, I’ve moved the Scarlet Knights into the bracket for the first time all season after their win over Illinois. Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Michigan picked up their biggest road win of the year at Iowa to solidify their resume. The Hawkeyes have strong efficiency numbers but are 5-8 versus Quadrants 1 and 2 and are in some danger of missing the tournament.
1: Auburn, Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas
2: Purdue, Kentucky, Baylor, Duke
3: Villanova, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, Providence
4: Tennessee, Houston, UCLA, Texas
5: Illinois, LSU, Connecticut, Alabama
6: Ohio State, Michigan State, St. Mary’s, Xavier
7: USC, Marquette, Arkansas, Colorado State
8: Murray State, TCU, Wyoming, Iowa State
9: Wake Forest, Boise State, Iowa, Loyola Chicago
10: San Francisco, Notre Dame, Miami (FL), Seton Hall
11: BYU, Michigan, Davidson, San Diego State
12: (Memphis/Rutgers), (North Carolina/Indiana), North Texas, Iona
13: South Dakota State, Toledo, Vermont, Chattanooga
14: Wagner, New Mexico State, Liberty, Montana State
15: Yale, Texas State, Colgate, Longwood
16: Long Beach State, Cleveland State, (UNC Wilmington/Texas Southern), (Norfolk State/New Orleans)
First Four Out: Creighton, Oklahoma, North Texas, SMU
Next Four Out: Kansas State, Florida, Virginia Tech, VCU
Also Considered: Dayton, Belmont, Oregon, St. Bonaventure
Moving In: Rutgers
Moving Out: SMU
Bids by Conference:
Big Ten: 9
Big 12: 6
Big East: 6
SEC: 6
ACC: 5
Mountain West: 4
West Coast: 4
Pac-12: 3
American: 2
Bracketology 2/16/2022
San Diego State blew out a good Utah State team at home and moved back into my field. They replace Oklahoma, the Sooners’ record is getting unworkable as they are now 2-9 in their last 11 and will probably finish with at least 15 losses.
1: Auburn, Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas
2: Baylor, Purdue, Kentucky, Duke
3: Villanova, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, Providence
4: Tennessee, Houston, UCLA, Illinois
5: Texas, Xavier, LSU, Alabama
6: Ohio State, Michigan State, Connecticut, USC
7: St. Mary’s, Marquette, Arkansas, Murray State
8: Colorado State, Iowa, TCU, Wyoming
9: Iowa State, Wake Forest, Boise State, San Francisco
10: Loyola Chicago, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Miami (FL)
11: Seton Hall, BYU, Davidson, San Diego State
12: (SMU/Memphis), (Michigan/Indiana), North Texas, Iona
13: South Dakota State, Chattanooga, Toledo, Vermont
14: Wagner, New Mexico State, Liberty, Montana State
15: Yale, Texas State, Colgate, Longwood
16: Long Beach State, Cleveland State, (UNC Wilmington/Texas Southern), (Norfolk State/New Orleans)
First Four Out: Oklahoma, Creighton, Oregon, Kansas State
Next Four Out: North Texas, Florida, Virginia Tech, VCU
Also Considered: Dayton, Rutgers, Mississippi State, St. Bonaventure
Moving In: San Diego State
Moving Out: Oklahoma
Bids by Conference:
Big Ten: 8
Big 12: 6
Big East: 6
SEC: 6
ACC: 5
Mountain West: 4
West Coast: 4
American: 3
Pac-12: 3
Bracketology 2/14/2022
An eventful weekend leads to lots of shakeups along the bubble. SMU and Memphis both played their win into the field in this update, taking the AAC from a 1 bid to a 3 bid league. Further out on the bubble, Rutgers and Virginia are among teams making a late charge into bubble contention.
1: Auburn, Gonzaga, Arizona, Kansas
2: Baylor, Purdue, Kentucky, Duke
3: Villanova, Providence, Texas Tech, Wisconsin
4: Houston, Tennessee, UCLA, Illinois
5: Michigan State, Xavier, LSU, Texas
6: Alabama, Ohio State, Connecticut, USC
7: St. Mary’s, Marquette, Wyoming, Arkansas
8: TCU, Murray State, Colorado State, Wake Forest
9: Iowa, Boise State, Iowa State, San Francisco
10: Loyola Chicago, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Miami (FL)
11: Seton Hall, BYU, Davidson, Indiana
12: (SMU/Oklahoma), (Michigan/Memphis), North Texas, Iona
13: South Dakota State, Chattanooga, Toledo, Vermont
14: Wagner, New Mexico State, Liberty, Montana State
15: Yale, Texas State, Colgate, Longwood
16: Long Beach State, Cleveland State, (UNC Wilmington/Texas Southern), (Norfolk State/New Orleans)
First Four Out: San Diego State, Florida, Creighton, North Texas
Next Four Out: VCU, Rutgers, Oregon, West Virginia
Also Considered: Kansas State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State
Bids by Conference:
Big Ten: 8
Big 12: 7
Big East: 6
SEC: 6
ACC: 5
West Coast: 4
American: 3
Mountain West: 3
Pac-12: 3
Bracketology 2/12/2022
The biggest bubble result of the last two days was Michigan’s demolition of Purdue. It’s by far the best result of the Wolverines’ season and brought their NET up to 30 and elevated them into my field for the first time in a month. They take the place of Saint Louis, who lost to St. Bonaventure. Out west, Colorado State got a nice win against Fresno State to move up to the 8 line and BYU avoided disaster in Los Angeles against Loyola Marymount.
1: Auburn, Gonzaga, Purdue, Arizona
2: Baylor, Kansas, Kentucky, Wisconsin
3: Duke, Houston, Providence, Texas Tech
4: Villanova, UCLA, Tennessee, Illinois
5: Texas, Marquette, Michigan State, LSU
6: Xavier, Ohio State, USC, St. Mary’s
7: Connecticut, Iowa State, Murray State, Alabama
8: Iowa, Arkansas, Wyoming, Colorado State
9: Indiana, Boise State, Wake Forest, Seton Hall
10: Davidson, TCU, Loyola Chicago, North Carolina
11: San Francisco, Oregon, Michigan, BYU
12: (Notre Dame/Florida), (Miami (FL)/San Diego State), UAB, Iona
13: Chattanooga, Wagner, South Dakota State, Ohio
14: Vermont, New Mexico State, Liberty, Cleveland State
15: Yale, Cal State Fullerton, Appalachian State, Colgate
16: Weber State, UNC Wilmington, (Longwood/Southern), (New Orleans/Norfolk State)
First Four Out: Oklahoma, SMU, North Texas, West Virginia
Next Four Out: Mississippi State, Saint Louis, Kansas State, Belmont
Bracketology 2/10/2022
Baylor and Kansas have swapped spots in this update after Kansas’ loss to Texas and Baylor’s win over Kansas State. Baylor, Kansas, Arizona and Kentucky are all pretty evenly matched for the last spot on the 1 line right now.
At the bubble, San Francisco and Loyola Chicago are playing themselves into some real bubble trouble with losses to Portland and Bradley in the last few days. SMU is charging back into the picture after a home win against Houston.
1: Auburn, Gonzaga, Purdue, Baylor
2: Kansas, Arizona, Kentucky, Wisconsin
3: Duke, Houston, Providence, Texas Tech
4: Villanova, UCLA, Tennessee, Illinois
5: Texas, Marquette, Michigan State, LSU
6: Ohio State, Connecticut, USC, Xavier
7: St. Mary’s, Iowa State, Murray State, Arkansas
8: Wyoming, Indiana, Alabama, Boise State
9: Iowa, Wake Forest, Colorado State, Seton Hall
10: Davidson, TCU, Loyola Chicago, North Carolina
11: San Francisco, Oregon, BYU, Notre Dame
12: (Miami (FL)/Florida), (Saint Louis/San Diego State), UAB, Iona
13: Chattanooga, Wagner, South Dakota State, Ohio
14: Vermont, New Mexico State, Liberty, Cleveland State
15: Yale, Cal State Fullerton, Appalachian State, Colgate
16: Weber State, UNC Wilmington, (Longwood/Southern), (New Orleans/Norfolk State)
First Four Out: Michigan, Oklahoma, SMU, North Texas
Next Four Out: West Virginia, Mississippi State, Kansas State, Belmont
Bracketology 2/7/2022
Saturday was one of the best days of the college hoops season, with tons of bubble teams in action. Some power conference teams, such as Creighton and West Virginia, are picking up unworkable loss totals and dropped from the field. Others, like Kansas State and Saint Louis, were not close to the bubble radar but are moving up on the back of big wins.
I’ll have another update in midweek, after some bubble teams like Arkansas, Utah State and Wyoming play.
1: Auburn, Gonzaga, Kansas, Purdue
2: Baylor, Arizona, Kentucky, Duke
3: Houston, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, Providence
4: Villanova, UCLA, Illinois, Tennessee
5: Michigan State, Marquette, Ohio State, Iowa State
6: Texas, LSU, St. Mary’s, Xavier
7: USC, Indiana, Connecticut, Murray State
8: Wyoming, Alabama, San Francisco, Boise State
9: Loyola Chicago, Iowa, Wake Forest, Arkansas
10: Colorado State, Davidson, TCU, Seton Hall
11: Oregon, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Miami (FL)
12: (Florida/Saint Louis), (San Diego State/Mississippi State), UAB, Iona
13: Chattanooga, Wagner, South Dakota State, Ohio
14: Vermont, New Mexico State, Liberty, Cleveland State
15: Yale, Cal State Fullerton, Appalachian State, Colgate
16: Weber State, UNC Wilmington, (Longwood/Southern), (New Orleans/Norfolk State)
First Four Out: North Texas, Kansas State, Michigan, Belmont
Next Four Out: Oklahoma, Dayton, Washington State, West Virginia
Bracketology 2/5/2022
This is going to be one of the most impactful bracket Saturdays of the year. Baylor/Kansas is obviously the headliner, but a majority of teams in the projected field are in action today. I’ll have a new update Monday morning after I go through everyone’s resume this weekend.
1: Auburn, Gonzaga, Baylor, Arizona
2: Purdue, Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA
3: Villanova, Houston, Duke, Michigan State
4: Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas Tech, Providence
5: Tennessee, Xavier, Alabama, LSU
6: USC, Marquette, Texas, Iowa State
7: Ohio State, St. Mary’s, Indiana, Connecticut
8: Davidson, Murray State, San Francisco, Loyola Chicago
9: Colorado State, TCU, Boise State, Iowa
10: Seton Hall, Wyoming, Arkansas, BYU
11: Iona, Oklahoma, Miami (FL), Wake Forest
12: North Carolina, (West Virginia/Creighton), (San Diego State/Florida), UAB
13: Chattanooga, Ohio, Wagner, Vermont
14: South Dakota State, Oakland, Towson, Jacksonville State
15: Princeton, Seattle, Weber State, Navy
16: Appalachian State, Longwood, (Hawai’i/New Orleans), (Alcorn State/Norfolk State)
First Four Out: Notre Dame, Oregon, Michigan, Mississippi State
Next Four Out: Texas A&M, UAB, SMU, Washington State
Bids by Conference:
Big 12: 8
Big East: 7
Big Ten: 7
SEC: 7
ACC: 4
Mountain West: 4
West Coast: 4
Pac-12: 3
Bracketology 2/3/2022
Tonight’s Arizona/UCLA matchup is massive in the race for a 1 seed. Both teams will have a good shot at it with a win, although opportunities are limited in the Pac-12 which has only those two teams and USC in the projected field.
1: Auburn, Gonzaga, Baylor, Purdue
2: Arizona, Kansas, UCLA, Kentucky
3: Villanova, Houston, Duke, Michigan State
4: Wisconsin, LSU, Texas Tech, Providence
5: Tennessee, Xavier, Alabama, LSU
6: USC, Marquette, Texas, Iowa State
7: Ohio State, St. Mary’s, Indiana, Connecticut
8: Davidson, Murray State, Boise State, Loyola Chicago
9: San Francisco, BYU, TCU, Iowa
10: Colorado State, Wyoming, Arkansas, Seton Hall
11: Iona, Oklahoma, Creighton, Miami (FL)
12: Wake Forest, (North Carolina/San Diego State), (West Virginia/Florida), UAB
13: Chattanooga, Toledo, Wagner, Vermont
14: South Dakota State, Oakland, Towson, Jacksonville State
15: Princeton, Seattle, Weber State, Navy
16: Appalachian State, Longwood, (Hawai’i/New Orleans), (Alcorn State/Norfolk State)
First Four Out: Notre Dame, Oregon, Michigan, Mississippi State
Next Four Out: Texas A&M, UAB, Stanford, SMU
Bids by Conference:
Big 12: 8
Big East: 7
Big Ten: 7
SEC: 7
ACC: 4
Mountain West: 4
West Coast: 4
Pac-12: 3
Bracketology 1/31/2022
The biggest result of the weekend was Kentucky going to Lawrence and beating the brakes off Kansas in the Big 12/SEC challenge. The Wildcats are a tricky team to seed as they have the predictive metrics of an A-list national title contender, but don’t have the depth of Q1 wins of some other teams. For now, both Kentucky and Kansas land on the 2 line.
On the bubble, Creighton and Mississippi State have fallen out of the field after weekend losses. Oregon and Florida take their place in the bracket.
1: Auburn, Gonzaga, Baylor, Arizona
2: Villanova, Kansas, Purdue, Kentucky
3: UCLA, Houston, Wisconsin, Michigan State
4: Providence, Duke, LSU, Texas Tech
5: Illinois, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee
6: Xavier, USC, Iowa State, Connecticut
7: Ohio State, St. Mary’s, Indiana, Marquette
8: Murray State, Boise State, Iowa, Davidson
9: Colorado State, San Francisco, Loyola Chicago, BYU
10: Miami (FL), Oklahoma, TCU, West Virginia
11: Arkansas, Iona, Wyoming, Seton Hall
12: Wake Forest, (San Diego State/Florida), (North Carolina/Oregon), UAB
13: Chattanooga, Toledo, Wagner, Vermont
14: South Dakota State, Oakland, Towson, Jacksonville State
15: Princeton, Seattle, Weber State, Navy
16: Appalachian State, Longwood, (Hawai’i/New Orleans), (Southern/Norfolk State)
First Four Out: Michigan, Creighton, Notre Dame, Mississippi State
Next Four Out: Texas A&M, UAB, Florida State, Stanford
Bids by Conference:
Big 12: 8
Big Ten: 7
SEC: 7
Big East: 6
ACC: 4
Mountain West: 4
Pac-12: 4
West Coast: 4
Bracketology 1/29/2022
There’s been some big movers up and down the seed list in the last few weeks, and no conference has seen more movement than the Big East. Marquette has won 7 straight and Providence is 12-1 in their last 13 (with their only loss to the Golden Eagles). Both teams have gone from the bubble to comfortably in the field, and they play again tomorrow. On the other end of the conference, Seton Hall and Creighton are in freefall and are nearly out of the field.
1: Auburn, Baylor, Gonzaga, Kansas
2: Arizona, Villanova, Purdue, UCLA
3: LSU, Houston, Wisconsin, Duke
4: Texas Tech, Michigan State, Providence, Tennessee
5: Illinois, Kentucky, USC, Iowa State
6: Ohio State, Marquette, Texas, Xavier
7: Alabama, BYU, Connecticut, St. Mary’s
8: Boise State, Loyola Chicago, Indiana, Murray State
9: Iowa, Davidson, Colorado State, Wake Forest
10: West Virginia, Oklahoma, San Francisco, Miami (FL)
11: Iona, Wyoming, Seton Hall, San Diego State
12: Arkansas, UAB, (TCU/Creighton), (North Carolina/Mississippi State)
13: Chattanooga, Toledo, Wagner, Vermont
14: South Dakota State, Oakland, Towson, Liberty
15: Princeton, Seattle, Weber State, Navy
16: South Alabama, Winthrop, (Cal State Fullerton/New Orleans), (Southern/Norfolk State)
First Four Out: Michigan, Florida State, Florida, Texas A&M
Next Four Out: Stanford, Oregon, Belmont, Notre Dame
Bids by Conference:
Big 12: 8
Big East: 7
Big Ten: 7
SEC: 7
ACC: 4
Mountain West: 4
West Coast: 4
Pac-12: 3
Bracketology 1/24/2022
We’ve seen some decent movement around the buble in the last week. Marquette has been a big winner, picking up back to back wins against Villanova and Xavier to move from an 11 seed to a 7 seed. North Carolina has moved out of the field for the first time all year after losses to Miami and Wake Forest.
1: Auburn, Baylor, Arizona, Gonzaga
2: Kansas, Villanova, LSU, Houston
3: Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan State, UCLA
4: Texas Tech, USC, Duke, Tennessee
5: Kentucky, Alabama, Providence, Xavier
6: Illinois, Ohio State, BYU, Iowa State
7: Colorado State, Seton Hall, Marquette, Connecticut
8: Davidson, Texas, Loyola Chicago, West Virginia
9: Indiana, Murray State, St. Mary’s, Iowa
10: Wake Forest, San Francisco, Wyoming, TCU
11: Boise State, Creighton, San Diego State, Iona
12: Florida, (Miami (FL)/Oklahoma), (Arkansas/Florida State), UAB
13: Chattanooga, Toledo, Wagner, Vermont
14: South Dakota State, New Mexico State, Oakland, Towson
15: Liberty, Princeton, Weber State, Colgate
16: South Alabama, Winthrop, (Cal State Fullerton/New Orleans), (Southern/Norfolk State)
First Four Out: UAB, Mississippi State, Michigan, Texas A&M
Next Four Out: North Carolina, Minnesota, Oregon, Belmont
Bids by Conference:
Big 12: 8
Big East: 7
Big Ten: 7
SEC: 7
ACC: 4
Mountain West: 4
West Coast: 4
Pac-12: 3
Bracketology 1/17/2022
There was some interesting bubble action over the weekend, highlighted by Murray State going to Nashville and destroying Belmont on the road. Both teams have solid at-large prospects with wins over Memphis and Alabama, respectively. Elswhere, BYU beat San Francisco on the road and moves closer to a protected seed.
1: Auburn, Gonzaga, Baylor, Arizona
2: Kansas, Villanova, Duke, Houston
3: Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Purdue
4: LSU, Michigan State, USC, Kentucky
5: Ohio State, BYU, Providence, Xavier
6: Texas Tech, UCLA, Iowa, Loyola Chicago
7: Texas, Seton Hall, Connecticut, Alabama
8: West Virginia, Tennessee, Colorado State, San Diego State
9: Indiana, Oklahoma, TCU, North Carolina
10: Wake Forest, San Francisco, Davidson, Murray State
11: Wyoming, Marquette, Mississippi State, Creighton
12: (Miami (FL)/Belmont), (St. Mary’s/Florida), UAB, Iona
13: Ohio, New Mexico State, Oakland, Chattanooga
14: South Dakota State, Wagner, Princeton, Navy
15: Hofstra, Texas State, UC Irvine, Vermont
16: Liberty, Norfolk State, (UNC Asheville/Southern Utah), (Nicholls State/Texas Southern)
First Four Out: UAB, Oregon, Boise State, Texas A&M
Next Four Out: Minnesota, Memphis, SMU, VCU
Bracketology 1/15/2022
It’s shaping up to be an interesting season at the top of the bracket. Auburn is set up well for their first 1 seed since 1999, and Arizona has a shot at their first 1 seed since 2014. It’s a tough road ahead for the Wildcats though, there’s two other great teams in the Pac-12 in USC and UCLA but the middle of the league is quite weak.
1: Baylor, Auburn, Gonzaga, Arizona
2: Kansas, Villanova, LSU, Duke
3: Michigan State, Wisconsin, Houston, Illinois
4: Purdue, Texas Tech, USC, Iowa State
5: Ohio State, Xavier, UCLA, Seton Hall
6: Texas, Alabama, BYU, Providence
7: Loyola Chicago, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia
8: Iowa, Connecticut, Colorado State, Oklahoma
9: San Francisco, San Diego State, Indiana, North Carolina
10: TCU, Davidson, Belmont, Wake Forest
11: Creighton, Miami (FL), Wyoming, St. Mary’s
12: (Marquette/Mississippi State), (Minnesota/Murray State), UAB, Iona
13: Ohio, New Mexico State, Oakland, Chattanooga
14: South Dakota State, Wagner, Princeton, Navy
15: Hofstra, Texas State, UC Irvine, Vermont
16: Liberty, Norfolk State, (UNC Asheville/Southern Utah), (Nicholls State/Texas Southern)
First Four Out: Memphis, UAB, Boise State, Texas A&M
Next Four Out: Clemson, Florida, UCF, SMU
Bracketology 1/7/2022
Conference play is underway across the country and there’s some movement throughout the seed list in this update. This looks like quite a promising year for at-large bids from non-power conferences, a weak ACC and a top-heavy Pac-12 both sending 3 teams in this update leaves room for 9 teams from the WCC, Missouri Valley and Ohio Valley.
1: Baylor, Arizona, Kansas, Auburn
2: Gonzaga, Duke, LSU, Michigan State
3: Villanova, Houston, Alabama, Purdue
4: USC, Wisconsin, UCLA, Iowa State
5: Xavier, Seton Hall, Illinois, Ohio State
6: Colorado State, Providence, Texas, Tennessee
7: Loyola Chicago, Connecticut, BYU, West Virginia
8: Texas Texas, Kentucky, Iowa, San Francisco
9: Oklahoma, North Carolina, Indiana, TCU
10: Minnesota, Wake Forest, Belmont, Creighton
11: Davidson, St. Mary’s, Mississippi State, Wyoming
12: (Memphis/San Diego State), (Murray State/Florida), UAB, Iona
13: Chattanooga, Ohio, New Mexico State, Oakland
14: South Dakota State, Wagner, James Madison, Princeton
15: Navy, Texas State, UC Irvine, Vermont
16: Liberty, Norfolk State, (UNC Asheville/Southern Utah), (Nicholls State/Texas Southern)
First Four Out: Texas A&M, Marquette, Virginia Tech, Miami (FL)
Next Four Out: Clemson, Boise State, SMU, VCU
Bids by Conference:
Big Ten: 8
Big 12: 8
SEC: 7
Big East: 6
West Coast: 4
ACC: 3
Mountain West: 3
Pac-12: 3
American: 2
Ohio Valley: 2