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Bracketology: The Zion Williamson factor for Duke

Zion Williamson1

Duke’s Zion Williamson (1) reacts following a basket against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

AP

The pertinent question this morning is the health of Zion Williamson. Foremost, because he’s an exceptional talent and life is bigger than basketball.

The secondary component is how his injury impacts Duke – both on the court and, subsequently, the Blue Devils’ standing on the Seed List.

If last night were the eve of Selection Sunday, the Committee would be forced to make a tough decision: evaluating Duke while Zion’s future availability is unknown.

Since a decision related to today’s bracket had to be made quickly in the wee hours of the morning with little information, Duke stays put, largely because the Blue Devils own a season sweep of Virginia, and two of its losses occurred with less than a full roster.

Once we know more about Zion’s status, further review will ensue.

BRACKET UPDATE: February 21, 2019

FIRST FOUR - DAYTON
SOUTH REGIONTemple vs. Alabama
MIDWEST REGIONUCF vs. Utah State
EAST REGIONST. FRANCIS (PA) vs. CANISIUS
WEST REGIONNORFOLK ST vs. PRAIRIE VIEW


EAST - Washington, DCSOUTH - Louisville
ColumbiaColumbus
1) DUKE1) Virginia
16) ST. FRANCIS / CANISIUS16) LEHIGH
8) Ole Miss8) Auburn
9) Ohio State9) WOFFORD
JacksonvilleSalt Lake City
5) Iowa State5) Maryland
12) BELMONT12) Temple / Alabama
4) LSU4) Texas Tech
13) OLD DOMINION13) LIBERTY
HartfordHartford
6) Louisville6) Villanova
11) Florida11) VCU
3) MARQUETTE3) Purdue
14) YALE14) TEXAS STATE
Des MoinesColumbus
7) BUFFALO7) Cincinnati
10) Texas10) TCU
2) Michigan2) Kentucky
15) LOYOLA-CHICAGO15) NORTHERN KENTUCKY
WEST - AnaheimMIDWEST - Kansas City
Salt Lake CityColumbia
1) GONZAGA1) TENNESSEE
16) PR VIEW / NORFOLK ST16) SAM HOUSTON ST
8) Baylor8) St. John’s
9) Minnesota9) Syracuse
San JoseSan Jose
5) Florida State5) KANSAS STATE
12) NEW MEXICO ST12) UCF / Utah State
4) NEVADA4) Wisconsin
13) HOFSTRA13) VERMONT
TulsaTulsa
6) Virginia Tech6) Iowa
11) Seton Hall11) Arizona State
3) Kansas3) HOUSTON
14) UC-IRVINE14) SOUTH DAKOTA ST
Des MoinesJacksonville
7) WASHINGTON7) Mississippi State
10) NC State10) Oklahoma
2) MICHIGAN STATE2) North Carolina
15) MONTANA15) RADFORD


BUBBLE NOTES
Last 4 ByesLast 4 IN First 4 OUTNext 4 OUT
TCUTempleClemsonNebraska
Seton HallUCFGeorgetownUNC-Greensboro
Arizona StateUtah StateButlerLipscomb
FloridaAlabamaFurmanDayton

TOP SEED LINE: Duke is the No. 1 overall seed, followed by Virginia, Tennessee, and Gonzaga

Breakdown by Conference ...

ACC (8): DUKE, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida State, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, NC State

Big 10 (8): MICHIGAN STATE, Michigan, Purdue, Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa, Ohio State, Minnesota

BIG 12 (8): KANSAS STATE, Kansas, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma, TCU

SEC (8): TENNESSEE, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida, Alabama

Big East (4): VILLANOVA, Marquette, St. John’s, Seton Hall

American (4): HOUSTON, Cincinnati, Temple, UCF

Pac 12 (2): WASHINGTON, Arizona State

Mountain West (2): NEVADA, Utah State

Southern (1): WOFFORD

Atlantic 10 (1): VCU

Mid American (1): BUFFALO

West Coast (1): GONZAGA

ONE BID LEAGUES: Loyola-Chicago (MVC), Canisius (MAAC), Old Dominion (C-USA), Texas State (SBELT), Yale (IVY), Montana (BSKY), Northern Kentucky (HORIZON), Sam Houston (SLND), UC-Irvine (BWEST), Liberty (ASUN), Belmont (OVC), Hofstra (CAA), Radford (BSO), Norfolk State (MEAC), South Dakota State (SUM), New Mexico State (WAC), Vermont (AEAST), Lehigh (PAT), St. Francis (PA) (NEC), Prairie View (SWAC)