As we begin another journey toward Selection Sunday, a pair of familiar names headline the preseason Bracket: Duke and Kansas. Both the Blue Devils and Jayhawks are loaded with talent and experience. Duke opens as the No. 1 seed in the East, Kansas as No. 1 in the Midwest.
Although Kentucky (No. 1 / South) and Villanova (No. 1 / West) occupy spots three and four on the Seed List, keep an eye on Oregon. The Ducks are going to be good again - and if Dillon Brooks were healthy, they would have been slotted just ahead of Villanova for the top spot in San Jose. We’ll see how it plays out.
Opinions vary greatly in November, as do expectations - especially once you meander past the top few teams. Projections are a starting point, not an ending one. The road to March will be filled with twists, turns, and speed bumps. Expect a few surprises and a few disappointments. That’s the way it works. It’s why they play the games.
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is a juggernaut. While I’m skeptical that double-digit teams will make the actual Field of 68, it’s not impossible. It should be quite a race atop the Big Ten, and the Big East will be heard from too - defending champ Villanova could easily make another push for the Final Four. Count aforementioned Oregon in the discussion. Who knows? Maybe this is the year that Gonzaga breaks through. Regardless, it should be an incredible ride.
Regarding bracketing principles, can read them for yourself at www.ncaa.com. For example: teams from the same conference may now meet before a Regional final, even if fewer than eight teams are selected. The goal is to keep as many teams as possible on their actual seed line.
FIRST FOUR PAIRINGS - Dayton (First Round)
- Michigan vs. Washington | East Region
- SMU vs. Butler | Midwest Region
- WINTHROP vs. HOWARD | East Region
- JACKSON STATE vs. FLA GULF COAST | Midwest Region
PRESEASON BRACKET PROJECTION ...
EAST - New York | MIDWEST - Kansas City | |
Greenville | Tulsa | |
1) DUKE | 1) KANSAS | |
16) WINTHROP / HOWARD | 16) JACKSON ST / FLA GULF CST | |
8) Florida | 8) California | |
9) Georgetown | 9) Texas AM | |
Salt Lake City | Orlando | |
5) CONNECTICUT | 5) Syracuse | |
12) Washington / Michigan | 12) SMU / Butler | |
4) GONZAGA | 4) Michigan State | |
13) NC-WILMINGTON | 13) VALPARAISO | |
Milwaukee | Salt Lake City | |
6) Florida State | 6) Creighton | |
11) Colorado | 11) PRINCETON | |
3) INDIANA | 3) Arizona | |
14) VERMONT | 14) LONG BEACH ST | |
Indianapolis | Buffalo | |
7) NC State | 7) Iowa State | |
10) VCU | 10) Ohio State | |
2) Xavier | 2) Virginia | |
15) FORT WAYNE | 15) NEW MEXICO ST | |
WEST - San Jose | SOUTH - Memphis | |
Buffalo | Indianapolis | |
1) VILLANOVA | 1) KENTUCKY | |
16) FAIR-DICKINSON | 16) LEHIGH | |
8) Oklahoma | 8) Dayton | |
9) SAN DIEGO ST | 9) Virginia Tech | |
Tulsa | Sacramento | |
5) Cincinnati | 5) West Virginia | |
12) OHIO | 12) UAB | |
4) Purdue | 4) UCLA | |
13) MONMOUTH | 13) CHATTANOOGA | |
Milwaukee | Orlando | |
6) Saint Mary’s | 6) RHODE ISLAND | |
11) Maryland | 11) Seton Hall | |
3) Louisville | 3) Wisconsin | |
14) UT-ARLINGTON | 14) BELMONT | |
Sacramento | Greenville | |
7) Miami-FL | 7) Texas | |
10) Baylor | 10) WICHITA STATE | |
2) OREGON | 2) North Carolina | |
15) WEBER STATE | 15) SAM HOUSTON ST |
NOTES on the BRACKET: Duke is the overall No. 1 seed followed by Kansas, Kentucky, and Villanova. Next in line: Oregon, North Carolina, Xavier, Virginia
Last Four Byes (at large): Ohio State, Colorado, Seton Hall, Maryland
Last Four IN (at large): Michigan, SMU, Butler, Washington
First Four OUT (at large): Notre Dame, Marquette, Nevada, Georgia
Next four teams OUT (at large): Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt, BYU
Breakdown by Conference ...
ACC (9): DUKE, North Carolina, Virginia, Louisville, Syracuse, Florida State, NC State, Miami, Virginia Tech
Big 10 (7): INDIANA, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, Maryland, Michigan
Pac 12 (6): OREGON, Arizona, UCLA, California, Colorado, Washington
Big East (6): VILLANOVA, Xavier, Creighton, Georgetown, Seton Hall, Butler
Big 12 (6): KANSAS, West Virginia, Iowa State, Texas, Oklahoma, Baylor
Atlantic 10 (3): RHODE ISLAND, Dayton, VCU
American (3): CONNECTICUT, Cincinnati, SMU
SEC (3): KENTUCKY, Florida, Texas AM
West Coast (2): GONZAGA, Saint Mary’s
Missouri Valley (1): WICHITA STATE
Mountain West (1): SAN DIEGO STATE
ONE BID LEAGUES: Monmouth (MAAC), UAB (C-USA), UT-Arlington (SBELT), Princeton (IVY), Weber State (BSKY), Valparaiso (HORIZON), Sam Houston St (SLND), Chattanooga (STHN), Long Beach St (BWEST), Ohio (MAC), Florida Gulf Coast (ASUN), Belmont (OVC), UNC-Wilmington (CAA), Winthrop (BSO), Howard (MEAC), Fort Wayne (SUM), New Mexico St (WAC), Vermont (AEAST), Lehigh (PAT), Fairleigh-Dickinson (NEC), Jackson State (SWAC)