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Bracketology: Kansas making its case for No. 1 seed in Midwest

Kansas v West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, WV - JANUARY 15: Mitch Lightfoot #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts after dunking on Sagaba Konate #50 of the West Virginia Mountaineers (not pictured) putting Kansas up 69-66 at the WVU Coliseum on January 15, 2018 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

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Kansas wrapped up the Big 12 title on Saturday. It’s 14th straight Big 12 title. Truly incredible, whether you’re a Jayhawks fan or not. With that little nugget complete, the Jayhawks can now set their sights on a potential No. 1 seed in the Midwest. A lot can happen in the next two weeks, but a Big 12 tournament title would all but guarantee the Jayhawks an NCAA route through Wichita and Omaha (Midwest Region).

Virginia remains No. 1 overall, followed by Villanova and Xavier. One of those two will lose again since both play in the Big East, creating a potential spot on the No. 1 seed line for a handful of chasers - including Duke, North Carolina, Auburn, Michigan State, and Purdue.

We also figure to have quite a two-week race for the final at-large positions. We have 18-20 teams in play for about 8 spots, and that’s assuming we do not encounter any unexpected upsets in conference tournaments.

Here’s the latest ...

UPDATED: February 26, 2018

FIRST FOUR PAIRINGS - Dayton (First Round)


  • Louisville vs. Washington | South Region
  • Texas vs. USC | South Region
  • BETHUNE-COOKMAN vs. ARK-PINE BLUFF | South Region
  • NICHOLLS vs. UC-IRVINE | East Region

BRACKET PROJECTION ...

SOUTH - AtlantaEAST - Boston
CharlottePittsburgh
1) VIRGINIA1) Villanova
16) B-COOKMAN / ARK-PB16) NICHOLLS / UC-IRVINE
8) Seton Hall8) Alabama
9) TCU9) Miami-FL
San DiegoSan Diego
5) Ohio State5) Kentucky
12) Washington / Louisville12) LOUISIANA
4) West Virginia4) Clemson
13) MURRAY STATE13) VERMONT
WichitaPittsburgh
6) NC State6) RHODE ISLAND
11) Texas / USC11) MIDDLE TENNESSEE
3) Purdue3) CINCINNATI
14) CHARLESTON14) RIDER
NashvilleDetroit
7) Creighton7) Florida
10) Kansas State10) Providence
2) AUBURN2) MICHIGAN STATE
15) NORTHERN KENTUCKY15) WAGNER
WEST - Los AngelesMIDWEST - Omaha
WichitaDetroit
1) KANSAS1) XAVIER
16) FL GULF COAST16) PENNSYLVANIA
8) Missouri8) Virginia Tech
9) Florida State9) Texas AM
BoiseBoise
5) ARIZONA5) Michigan
12) NEW MEXICO ST12) LOYOLA (CHI)
4) GONZAGA4) Texas Tech
13) SOUTH DAKOTA ST13) BUFFALO
DallasDallas
6) Arkansas6) Houston
11) Saint Mary’s11) St. Bonaventure
3) Wichita State3) Tennessee
14) UNC-GREENSBORO14) BUCKNELL
CharlotteNashville
7) NEVADA7) Butler
10) Arizona State10) Oklahoma
2) Duke2) North Carolina
15) MONTANA15) UNC-ASHEVILLE

NOTES on the BRACKET: Virginia is the No. 1 overall seed - followed by Villanova, Xavier, and Kansas

Last Four Byes (at large): Providence, Kansas State, Saint Mary’s, St. Bonaventure

Last Four IN (at large): Texas, USC, Washington, Louisville

First Four OUT (at large): Syracuse, UCLA, Mississippi State, Baylor

Next four teams OUT (at large): Marquette, Nebraska, Georgia, LSU

Breakdown by Conference ...

ACC (9): VIRGINIA, Duke, North Carolina, Clemson, NC State, Miami-FL, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Louisville

SEC (8): AUBURN, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, Missouri, Texas AM

BIG 12 (7): KANSAS, Texas Tech, West Virginia, TCU, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Texas

Big East (6): VILLANOVA, Xavier, Butler, Creighton, Seton Hall, Providence

Big 10 (4): MICHIGAN STATE, Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan

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

American (3): CINCINNATI, Wichita State, Houston

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

West Coast (2): GONZAGA, Saint Mary’s

Mountain West (1): NEVADA

ONE BID LEAGUES: Loyola-Chicago (MVC), Rider (MAAC), Middle Tennessee (C-USA), Louisiana (SBELT), Pennsylvania (IVY), Montana (BSKY), Northern Kentucky (HORIZON), Nicholls (SLND), UNC-Greensboro (STHN), UC-Irvine (BWEST), Buffalo (MAC), Florida Gulf Coast (ASUN), Murray State (OVC), Charleston (CAA), UNC-Asheville (BSO), Bethune-Cookman (MEAC), South Dakota State (SUM), New Mexico State (WAC), Vermont (AEAST), Bucknell (PAT), Wagner (NEC), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC)

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