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Bracketology: Xavier vaults to top line

Marshall v Xavier

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 19: Tyrique Jones #0 and Trevon Bluiett #5 of the Xavier Musketeers react in the second half of a game against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Cintas Center on December 19, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Xavier won 81-77. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

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College hoops is as unpredictable as ever - which makes for great viewing and a lot movement in early bracket projections. With Arizona State’s loss Thursday night in Colorado, the Xavier Musketeers slide up a spot on the seed list and enter the weekend as the No. 1 seed in the West Region. Duke (South), Michigan State (Midwest), and Villanova (East) remain in their same positions.

One could make a good case for Oklahoma or West Virginia on the top line, too. Which makes Saturday’s tilt between the Sooners and Mountaineers in Morgantown that much more interesting. If Oklahoma snags another quality road win tomorrow, (they already have wins at TCU and Wichita State), it’ll be hard to keep the Sooners off the top line regardless of Xavier’s outcome at Providence.

UPDATED: January 5, 2018

FIRST FOUR PAIRINGS - Dayton (First Round)


  • Washington vs. Baylor | South Region
  • Alabama vs. Ohio State | East Region
  • COLGATE vs. NC A&T | East Region
  • TX-SOUTHERN vs. SE LOUISIANA | South Region

BRACKET PROJECTION

SOUTH - AtlantaMIDWEST - Omaha
CharlotteDetroit
1) Duke1) MICHIGAN STATE
16) TX-SOUTHERN / SE LOUISIANA16) PRINCETON
8) Butler8) Miami-FL
9) Michigan9) Tennessee
NashvilleBoise
5) KENTUCKY5) Cincinnati
12) WESTERN KENTUCKY12) MISSOURI STATE
4) Seton Hall4) Kansas
13) FURMAN13) LIPSCOMB
DallasDallas
6) Arkansas6) Clemson
11) Washington / Baylor11) UCLA
3) WICHITA STATE3) TCU
14) BELMONT14) WILLIAM & MARY
NashvilleSan Diego
7) RHODE ISLAND7) Florida
10) Syracuse10) Louisville
2) PURDUE2) Arizona State
15) WRIGHT STATE15) MONTANA STATE
WEST - Los AngelesEAST - Boston
DetroitPittsburgh
1) XAVIER1) Villanova
16) ROBERT MORRIS16) COLGATE / NC A&T
8) Notre Dame8) Texas
9) Minnesota9) St. Bonaventure
BoiseWichita
5) Texas AM5) VIRGINIA
12) NEW MEXICO ST12) LOUISIANA
4) GONZAGA4) Texas Tech
13) SOUTH DAKOTA ST13) BUFFALO
San DiegoCharlotte
6) Florida State6) Creighton
11) Maryland11) Alabama / Ohio State
3) ARIZONA3) North Carolina
14) UC-DAVIS14) VERMONT
WichitaPittsburgh
7) NEVADA7) Auburn
10) Missouri10) SMU
2) OKLAHOMA2) West Virginia
15) RADFORD15) CANISIUS

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

Last Four Byes (at large): Missouri, SMU, UCLA, Maryland

Last Four IN (at large): Alabama, Washington, Baylor, Ohio State

First Four OUT (at large): Boise State, Georgia, Marquette, Houston

Next four teams OUT (at large): Boston College, Oklahoma State, Saint Mary’s, Kansas State

Breakdown by Conference ...

ACC (9): VIRGINIA, Duke, North Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, Miami-FL, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Louisville

SEC (8): KENTUCKY, Texas AM, Arkansas, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, Missouri, Alabama

BIG 12 (7): OKLAHOMA, West Virginia, TCU, Texas Tech, Kansas, Texas, Baylor

Big 10 (6): PURDUE, Michigan State, Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, Ohio State

Big East (5): XAVIER, Villanova, Seton Hall, Creighton, Butler

Pac 12 (4): ARIZONA, Arizona State, UCLA, Washington

American (3): WICHITA STATE, Cincinnati, SMU

Atlantic 10 (2): RHODE ISLAND, St. Bonaventure

Mountain West (1): NEVADA

West Coast (1): GONZAGA

ONE BID LEAGUES: Missouri State (MVC) Canisius (MAAC), Western Ketucky (C-USA), Louisiana (SBELT), Princeton (IVY), Montana State (BSKY), Northern Kentucky (HORIZON), SE Louisiana (SLND), Furman (STHN), UC-Davis (BWEST), Buffalo (MAC), Lipscomb (ASUN), Belmont (OVC), William & Mary (CAA), Radford (BSO), North Carolina A&T (MEAC), South Dakota State (SUM), New Mexico State (WAC), Vermont (AEAST), Colgate (PAT), Robert Morris (NEC), Texas-Southern (SWAC)