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Bracketology: Kansas moves up, bubble tightens

Kansas v Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 24: Devonte’ Graham #4 of the Kansas Jayhawks shoots the ball over Zach Smith #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the game on February 24, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Kansas defeated Texas Tech 74-72.(Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)

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Kansas moves into the Midwest Region courtesy of the Jayhawks’ win over Kansas State and Xavier’s loss to Providence. The Musketeers remain the fourth No. 1 seed this morning, shifting to the West Region. Close behind, now, is North Carolina, which beat Duke for a second time. If the Tar Heels beat Virginia in the ACC title game, they could find themselves as a No. 1 seed come Sunday morning.

Elsewhere, the bubble has tightened thanks to some upsets - particularly in the Mountain West. Nevada is a likely at-large candidate, meaning their loss to San Diego State opens the door for SDSU or New Mexico to grab a seat, courtesy of the league’s automatic bid. That’s bad news for teams along the cutline.

We still have more questions than answers, but as of this morning, Arizona State slides into the First Four and hopes to hang on. If the Committee considers the non-conference season as important as the conference season, it’s hard to ignore ASU’s wins over Kansas, Xavier, and Kansas State (not to mention San Diego State and St. John’s).

The reality, however, hasn’t really changed. There are eight or nine teams for what amounts to two or three spots. The Committee has its hands full. And that number could still shrink. Memphis is alive in the American and Davidson, in particular, is threat in the Atlantic 10. In other words, until today’s games are complete, we’re still in a holding pattern.

The latest ...

UPDATED: March 10, 2018

FIRST FOUR PAIRINGS - Dayton (First Round)


  • Oklahoma vs. USC | East Region
  • Arizona State vs. Saint Mary’s | South Region
  • SE Louisiana vs. LIU-BROOKLYN | East Region
  • Hampton vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | South Region

BRACKET PROJECTION ...

SOUTH - AtlantaEAST - Boston
CharlottePittsburgh
1) Virginia1) Villanova
16) Hampton / Ark-PB16) SE La / LIU-BROOKLYN
8) Providence8) Rhode Island
9) Nevada9) Kansas State
San DiegoSan Diego
5) Florida5) Clemson
12) Western Kentucky12) MURRAY STATE
4) West Virginia4) Arizona
13) Louisiana13) Vermont
NashvilleDallas
6) Miami-FL6) Houston
11) Arizona St / Saint Mary’s11) Oklahoma / USC
3) Auburn3) Tennessee
14) CHARLESTON14) BUCKNELL
DetroitDetroit
7) TCU7) Seton Hall
10) Butler10) NC State
2) Cincinnati2) Purdue
15) WRIGHT STATE15) LIPSCOMB
WEST - Los AngelesMIDWEST - Omaha
PittsburghWichita
1) Xavier1) Kansas
16) RADFORD16) Harvard
8) Virginia Tech8) St. Bonaventure
9) Alabama9) Florida State
BoiseBoise
5) Texas Tech5) Ohio State
12) New Mexico State12) SOUTH DAKOTA ST
4) GONZAGA4) Wichita State
13) UNC-GREENSBORO13) Buffalo
DallasWichita
6) Kentucky6) Arkansas
11) LOYOLA-CHICAGO11) Texas
3) MICHIGAN3) Michigan State
14) New Mexico14) Montana
CharlotteNashville
7) Missouri7) Texas AM
10) Creighton10) UCLA
2) North Carolina2) Duke
15) UC-Irvine15) IONA

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

Last Four Byes (at large): Butler, Creighton, UCLA, Texas

Last Four IN (at large): USC, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Saint Mary’s

First Four OUT (at large): Louisville, Marquette, Oklahoma State, Baylor

Next four teams OUT (at large): Middle Tennessee, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Penn State

Breakdown by Conference …

ACC (8): Virginia, North Carolina, Duke, Clemson, Miami-FL, Virginia Tech, Florida State, NC State

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

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

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

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

Pac 12 (4): Arizona, UCLA, USC, Arizona State

American (3): Cincinnati, Wichita State, Houston

Atlantic 10 (2): Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure

West Coast (2): Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s

Mountain West (2): New Mexico, Nevada

ONE BID LEAGUES: LOYOLA-CHI (MVC), IONA (MAAC), Western Kentucky (C-USA), Louisiana (SBELT), Harvard (IVY), Montana (BSKY), WRIGHT STATE (HORIZON), SE Louisiana (SLND), UNC-GREENSBORO (STHN), UC-Irvine (BWEST), Buffalo (MAC), LIPSCOMB(ASUN), MURRAY STATE (OVC), CHARLESTON (CAA), RADFORD (BSO), Hampton (MEAC), SOUTH DAKOTA ST (SUM), New Mexico State (WAC), Vermont (AEAST), BUCKNELL (PAT), LIU-BROOKLYN (NEC), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC)