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Preseason Bracket Projection: Duke, Kansas lead preseason Field of 68

Marshall Plumlee, Grayson Allen

Duke’s Grayson Allen (3) and Marshall Plumlee (40) react during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Louisville in Durham, N.C., Monday, Feb. 8, 2016. Duke won 72-65. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

AP

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 YorkMIDWEST - Kansas City
GreenvilleTulsa
1) DUKE1) KANSAS
16) WINTHROP / HOWARD16) JACKSON ST / FLA GULF CST
8) Florida8) California
9) Georgetown9) Texas AM
Salt Lake CityOrlando
5) CONNECTICUT5) Syracuse
12) Washington / Michigan12) SMU / Butler
4) GONZAGA4) Michigan State
13) NC-WILMINGTON13) VALPARAISO
MilwaukeeSalt Lake City
6) Florida State6) Creighton
11) Colorado11) PRINCETON
3) INDIANA3) Arizona
14) VERMONT14) LONG BEACH ST
IndianapolisBuffalo
7) NC State7) Iowa State
10) VCU10) Ohio State
2) Xavier2) Virginia
15) FORT WAYNE15) NEW MEXICO ST
WEST - San JoseSOUTH - Memphis
BuffaloIndianapolis
1) VILLANOVA1) KENTUCKY
16) FAIR-DICKINSON16) LEHIGH
8) Oklahoma8) Dayton
9) SAN DIEGO ST9) Virginia Tech
TulsaSacramento
5) Cincinnati5) West Virginia
12) OHIO12) UAB
4) Purdue4) UCLA
13) MONMOUTH13) CHATTANOOGA
MilwaukeeOrlando
6) Saint Mary’s6) RHODE ISLAND
11) Maryland11) Seton Hall
3) Louisville3) Wisconsin
14) UT-ARLINGTON14) BELMONT
SacramentoGreenville
7) Miami-FL7) Texas
10) Baylor10) WICHITA STATE
2) OREGON2) North Carolina
15) WEBER STATE15) 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)