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Holiday Bracketology!: Villanova headlines Field of 68

Jimmy V Classic

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats looks down the court against Zach Norvell Jr. #23 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half during their game at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

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In the spirit of the season, how about a quick peek inside our Bracket Stocking?

The first team we find is Villanova - the No. 1 overall seed in today’s update. They are followed by Michigan State, Duke, and Arizona State. If you’re looking for Christmas surprises, how about the Sun Devils? Early wins over San Diego State, Xavier, and Kansas headline an impressive resume.

Early brackets can be quirky because we’re still waiting for teams like Miami-FL to be tested. We also have early conference starts for teams like Boston College and Duke, along with a pair of games each for those in the Big Ten. BC benefits from their upset of the Blue Devils, grabbing a slot as the “auto-bid” champ from the ACC.

Conference play begins in earnest the next two weeks. Enjoy the Holiday season!

BRACKET UPDATE: December 22, 2017

FIRST FOUR PAIRINGS - Dayton (First Round)


  • St. John’s vs. Virginia Tech | South Region
  • Butler vs. Washington | South Region
  • NAVY vs. MORGAN STATE | East Region
  • UC-SANTA BARBARA vs. TX-SOUTHERN | Midwest Region

BRACKET PROJECTION ...

EAST - BostonMIDWEST - Omaha
PittsburghDetroit
1) VILLANOVA1) MICHIGAN STATE
16) MORGAN ST / NAVY16) UCSB / TX-SOUTHERN
8) Florida8) Louisville
9) SMU9) Missouri
BoiseSan Diego
5) Texas Tech5) Arizona
12) UT-ARLINGTON12) S.F. AUSTIN
4) Virginia4) Seton Hall
13) CENTRAL MICHIGAN13) NEW MEXICO ST
NashvilleCharlotte
6) Tennessee6) Cincinnati
11) MID TENNESSEE11) Michigan
3) Miami-FL3) North Carolina
14) ALBANY14) MURRAY STATE
PittsburghWichita
7) NEVADA7) Arkansas
10) Maryland10) NORTHERN IOWA
2) WEST VIRGINIA2) Kansas
15) UNC-ASHEVILLE15) PRINCETON
WEST - Los AngelesSOUTH - Atlanta
San DiegoCharlotte
1) ARIZONA STATE1) Duke
16) RIDER16) WAGNER
8) Notre Dame8) RHODE ISLAND
9) Minnesota9) Alabama
BoiseDallas
5) TCU5) WICHITA STATE
12) BOSTON COLLEGE12) Butler / Washington
4) GONZAGA4) Oklahoma
13) PORTLAND STATE13) TOWSON
WichitaNashville
6) Creighton6) Baylor
11) Syracuse11) Virginia Tech / St. John’s
3) Purdue3) Kentucky
14) SO DAKOTA ST14) FURMAN
DallasDetroit
7) Clemson7) Florida State
10) UNLV10) Texas
2) TEXAS AM2) Xavier
15) LIPSCOMB15) OAKLAND

NOTES on the BRACKET: Villanova is the No. 1 overall seed - followed by Michigan State, Duke, and Arizona State.

Last Four Byes (at large): UNLV, Maryland, Syracuse, Michigan

Last Four IN (at large): Virginia Tech, St. John’s, Butler, Washington

First Four OUT (at large): Houston, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Temple

Next four teams OUT (at large): Ohio State, Auburn, Kansas State, UCLA

Breakdown by Conference ...

ACC (10): BOSTON COLLEGE, Duke, Miami-FL, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida State, Louisville, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Syracuse

SEC (7): TEXAS AM, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, Missouri

BIG 12 (7): WEST VIRGINIA, Kansas, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas Tech, Baylor, Texas

Big East (6): VILLANOVA, Xavier, Seton Hall, Creighton, St. John’s, Butler

Big 10 (5): MICHIGAN STATE, Purdue, Minnesota, Maryland, Michigan

Pac 12 (3): ARIZONA STATE, Arizona, Washington

American (2): WICHITA STATE, Cincinnati

Mountain West (2): NEVADA, UNLV

Atlantic 10 (1): RHODE ISLAND

West Coast (1): GONZAGA

ONE BID LEAGUES: Northern Iowa (MVC) Rider (MAAC), Middle Tennessee (C-USA), UT-Arlington (SBELT), Princeton (IVY), Portland State (BSKY), Oakland (HORIZON), Stephen F. Austin (SLND), Furman (STHN), UC-Santa Barbara (BWEST), Central Michigan (MAC), Lipscomb (ASUN), Murray State (OVC), Towson (CAA), UNC-Asheville (BSO), Morgan State (MEAC), South Dakota State (SUM), New Mexico State (WAC), Albany (AEAST), Navy (PAT), Wagner (NEC), Texas-Southern (SWAC)

Bracketing principles: read them for yourself at www.ncaa.com.