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Bracketology: Syracuse banks in a little Madness

Duke v Syracuse

SYRACUSE, NY - FEBRUARY 22: John Gillon #4 of the Syracuse Orange celebrates tying the game with little time left on the clock during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils on February 22, 2017 at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Syracuse upsets Duke 78-75. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

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The bank was open Wednesday night in Syracuse. John Gillon’s three-pointer at the buzzer lifted Syracuse over Duke at the Carrier Dome and back (again) into the bracket.

It’s been a wild month for the Orange who now need to close the deal. It was also a big night for Providence, who used a Kyron Cartwright trey to knock off Creighton in Omaha. And then Dillon Brooks nailed a long-distance dagger to beat California, leaving the Bears teetering for bracket survival as February comes to a close. Are we ready for March?

No changes on the No. 1 seed line. By a whisker, Villanova holds onto the overall No. 1 seed after its second loss to Butler, a team whose profile is far better than its AP ranking. Kansas, North Carolina, and Gonzaga round out the group. UNC moves up to No. 3 after dispatching Louisville.

If last night was any indication, it’s going to be fun ride toward Selection Sunday.

UPDATED: February 23, 2017

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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)


  • Seton Hall vs. Kansas State | East Region
  • Providence vs. California | Midwest Region
  • MT. ST. MARY’S vs. NC-CENTRAL | East Region
  • UC-IRVINE vs. NEW ORLEANS | Midwest Region

BRACKET PROJECTION ...

EAST - New YorkMIDWEST - Kansas City
BuffaloTulsa
1) VILLANOVA1) KANSAS
16) NC-CENTRAL / M.S. MARY’S16) NEW ORLEANS / UC-IRVINE
8) South Carolina8) Northwestern
9) VCU9) Xavier
MilwaukeeMilwaukee
5) Virginia5) Notre Dame
12) UNC-WILMINGTON12) ILLINOIS STATE
4) PURDUE4) Butler
13) PRINCETON13) VALPARAISO
IndianapolisOrlando
6) Saint Mary’s6) SMU
11) Seton Hall / Kansas State11) Providence / California
3) Kentucky3) Florida State
14) AKRON14) BELMONT
IndianapolisSalt Lake City
7) Maryland7) Iowa State
10) Marquette10) Wichita State
2) Louisville2) ARIZONA
15) BUCKNELL15) NO. DAKOTA ST
WEST - San JoseSOUTH - Memphis
Salt Lake CityGreenville
1) GONZAGA1) NORTH CAROLINA
16) NORTH DAKOTA16) TX-SOUTHERN
8) Miami-FL8) Dayton
9) Michigan9) Arkansas
BuffaloSacramento
5) CINCINNATI5) Wisconsin
12) MONMOUTH12) UT-ARLINGTON
4) West Virginia4) UCLA
13) VERMONT13) NEVADA
GreenvilleOrlando
6) Creighton6) Minnesota
11) MID TENNESSEE ST11) Syracuse
3) Duke3) FLORIDA
14) FLA GULF COAST14) E. TENNESSEE ST
SacramentoTulsa
7) Oklahoma State7) Virginia Tech
10) Michigan State10) USC
2) Oregon2) Baylor
15) CSU-BAKERSFIELD15) UNC-ASHEVILLE

NOTES on the BRACKET: Villanova is the No. 1 overall seed, followed by Kansas, North Carolina, and Gonzaga.

Last Four Byes (at large): Michigan State, Wichita State, Marquette, Syracuse

Last Four IN (at large): Seton Hall, California, Providence, Kansas State

First Four OUT (at large): Wake Forest, TCU, Georgia Tech, Rhode Island

Next four teams OUT (at large): Vanderbilt, Clemson, Alabama, Houston

Breakdown by Conference ...

ACC (9): NORTH CAROLINA, Louisville, Florida State, Duke, Notre Dame, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Miami-FL, Syracuse

Big 10 (7): PURDUE, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Maryland, Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State

Big East (7): VILLANOVA, Butler, Creighton, Xavier, Marquette, Seton Hall, Providence

Big 12 (6): KANSAS, Baylor, West Virginia, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State

Pac 12 (5): OREGON, Arizona, UCLA, USC, California

SEC (4): FLORIDA, Kentucky, South Carolina, Arkansas

Atlantic 10 (2): VCU, Dayton

American (2): CINCINNATI, SMU

West Coast (2): GONZAGA, Saint Mary’s

Missouri Valley (1): ILLINOIS STATE, Wichita State

Mountain West (1): NEVADA

ONE BID LEAGUES: Monmouth (MAAC), Middle Tennessee State (C-USA), UT-Arlington (SBELT), Princeton (IVY), North Dakota (BSKY), Valparaiso (HORIZON), New Orleans (SLND), East Tennessee State (STHN), UC-Irvine (BWEST), Akron (MAC), Florida Gulf Coast (ASUN), Belmont (OVC), UNC-Wilmington (CAA), Winthrop (BSO), NC-Central (MEAC), North Dakota State (SUM), CSU-Bakersfield (WAC), Vermont (AEAST), Bucknell (PAT), Mt. St. Mary’s (NEC), Texas-Southern (SWAC)