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Bracketology: All Hail the Wolverines

By Dave OmmenJan 17, 2019, 10:35 AM EST

FIRST FOUR – DAYTON
EAST REGION	VCU vs. Pittsburgh
WEST REGION	Texas vs. Arizona State
SOUTH REGION	Norfolk State vs. Prairie View
EAST REGION	Sam Houston vs. UMKC

SOUTH – Louisville		EAST – Washington, DC
Columbus		Columbia
1) MICHIGAN		1) VIRGINIA
16) PR VIEW / NORFOLK ST		16) SAM HOUSTON / UMKC
8) NC State		8) Kansas State
9) Mississippi State		9) Minnesota

Salt Lake City		Des Moines
5) Florida State		5) VILLANOVA
12) LIPSCOMB		12) VCU / Pittsburgh
4) Marquette		4) Maryland
13) GEORGIA STATE		13) YALE

Des Moines		Jacksonville
6) Nebraska		6) Indiana
11) SAINT LOUIS		11) Arizona
3) HOUSTON		3) Kentucky
14) LOYOLA-CHICAGO		14) VERMONT

Jacksonville		Tulsa
7) LSU		7) Auburn
10) TCU		10) Syracuse
2) Duke		2) Texas Tech
15) RIDER		15) UTSA

WEST – Anaheim		MIDWEST – Kansas City
Tulsa		Columbia
1) KANSAS		1) TENNESSEE
16) WEBER STATE		16) WAGNER
8) Purdue		8) Ohio State
9) St. John’s		9) Seton Hall

Hartford		San Jose
5) Iowa		5) Louisville
12) Texas / Arizona State		12) MURRAY STATE
4) North Carolina		4) Oklahoma
13) HOFSTRA		13) UC-IRVINE

San Jose		Hartford
6) Iowa State		6) BUFFALO
11) WOFFORD		11) Temple
3) NEVADA		3) Virginia Tech
14) NORTHERN KENTUCKY		14) SOUTH DAKOTA ST

Salt Lake City		Columbus
7) Wisconsin		7) Ole Miss
10) Cincinnati		10) WASHINGTON
2) GONZAGA		2) Michigan State
15) RIDER		15) LEHIGH

BUBBLE NOTES
Last 4 Byes	Last 4 IN	First 4 OUT	Next 4 OUT
TCU	Texas	Butler	Clemson
Cincinnati	Arizona State	UCF	San Francisco
Temple	VCU	Florida	Fresno State
Arizona	Pittsburgh	Alabama	Dayton

Bracketology: Virginia climbs to top line

AP Photo/Steve Helber

By Dave OmmenJan 10, 2019, 10:28 AM EST

3 Comments

Yes, Virginia, another No. 1 seed is yours for the taking. Thanks to the unbeaten Cavaliers’ dominant win over Florida State and Kansas’ loss at Iowa State, UVA climbs to the top line in this week’s bracket update. With its No. 1 NET rating (as of early this morning), Virginia also edges out Tennessee for No. 3 on the seed list, effectively bumping the Volunteers to the West Region.

A quick housekeeping note … now that conference play is underway, current league leaders receive the automatic bid for the bracket. Tie breakers in the loss column are settled by NET rating at the time of publication. As an example, Fresno State receives the Mountain West’s auto bid today after Nevada’s loss at New Mexico.

We still have a variety of hit-or-miss resumes on the board. Conference play will help separate teams over the next month. Enjoy your college hoops!

BRACKET UPDATE: January 10, 2019

FIRST FOUR – DAYTON
EAST REGION	Arizona vs. Temple
MIDWEST REGION	Purdue vs. Alabama
EAST REGION	NC A&T vs. Sacred Heart
SOUTH REGION	Purdue-FW vs. Sam Houston

EAST – Washington, DC		SOUTH – Louisville
Columbia, SC		Columbus
1) DUKE		1) MICHIGAN
16) NC A&T / SACRED HEART		16) P-FT. WAYNE / SAM HOUSTON
8) Mississippi State		8) LSU
9) TCU		9) Arizona State

Hartford		San Jose
5) BUFFALO		5) VILLANOVA
12) WOFFORD		12) MURRAY STATE
4) Indiana		4) Kentucky
13) YALE		13) GEORGIA STATE

San Jose		Jacksonville
6) Maryland		6) Ohio State
11) Arizona / Temple		11) VCU
3) Nevada		3) North Carolina
14) UC-IRVINE		14) RADFORD

Tulsa		Salt Lake City
7) Seton Hall		7) Iowa State
10) Syracuse		10) Ole Miss
2) TEXAS TECH		2) GONZAGA
15) LEHIGH		15) GREEN BAY

WEST – Anaheim		MIDWEST – Kansas City
Jacksonville		Columbia, SC
1) TENNESSEE		1) Virginia
16) NORTHERN COLORADO		16) RIDER
8) Minnesota		8) Nebraska
9) Louisville		9) Cincinnati

Salt Lake City		Des Moines
5) Wisconsin		5) Marquette
12) FRESNO STATE		12) LIPSCOMB
4) Florida State		4) Houston
13) HOFSTRA		13) NORTH TEXAS

Hartford		Des Moines
6) Iowa		6) NC State
11) Texas		11) Purdue / Alabama
3) Virginia Tech		3) Oklahoma
14) VERMONT		14) GRAND CANYON

Tulsa		Columbus
7) St. John’s		7) Auburn
10) WASHINGTON		10) UCF
2) Kansas		2) Michigan State
15) TEXAS SOUTHERN		15) VALPARAISO

BUBBLE NOTES
Last 4 Byes	Last 4 IN	First 4 OUT	Next 4 OUT
Cincinnati	Purdue	Kansas State	Florida
Ole Miss	Temple	Butler	Clemson
Syracuse	Arizona	Creighton	San Francisco
Texas	Alabama	Saint Louis	Missouri

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

Breakdown by Conference …

Big 10 (10): MICHIGAN, Michigan State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska, Minnesota, Purdue

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

SEC (7): TENNESSEE, Kentucky, Auburn, Mississippi State, LSU, Alabama, Ole Miss

BIG 12 (6): TEXAS TECH, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa State, TCU, Texas

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

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

Pac 12 (3): WASHINGTON, Arizona State, Arizona

Mountain West (2): FRESNO STATE, Nevada

Atlantic 10 (1): VCU

West Coast (1): GONZAGA

ONE BID LEAGUES: Valparaiso (MVC), Rider (MAAC), North Texas (C-USA), Georgia State (SBELT), Yale (IVY), Northern Colorado (BSKY), Green Bay (HORIZON), Sam Houston (SLND), WOFFORD (STHN), UC-Irvine (BWEST), Buffalo (MAC), Lipscomb (ASUN), Murray State (OVC), Hofstra (CAA), Radford (BSO), NC A&T (MEAC), Purdue-Fort Wayne (SUM), Grand Canyon (WAC), Vermont (AEAST), Lehigh (PAT), Sacred Heart (NEC), Texas Southern (SWAC)

Bracketology: Duke leads opening field of 68

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By Dave OmmenJan 3, 2019, 11:00 AM EST

1 Comment

With a new year upon us, the countdown to Selection Sunday is officially underway.

Through two months of play, Duke reigns over the NCAA’s new NET rankings (No. 1 through games on January 1) and also reigns over our opening in-season bracket.

The Blue Devils are joined on the top line by Kansas (Midwest), Michigan (South), and Tennessee (West).

Virginia, Gonzaga, Nevada, and Michigan State are next in line.

With conference play just beginning, we’re at an awkward stage.

Some teams have tested themselves against tough schedules.

Others have largely filled up their resumes with holiday cupcakes.

We’ll learn lot more about both groups in the next two months.

UPDATED: January 3, 2019

FIRST FOUR – DAYTON
EAST REGION	VCU vs. UCF
SOUTH REGION	Purdue vs. Temple
EAST REGION	Morgan State vs. Niagara
MIDWEST REGION	Abilene Christian vs. St. Francis (NY)

EAST – Washington, DC		MIDWEST – Kansas City
Columbia, SC		Tulsa
1) DUKE		1) KANSAS
16) MORGAN ST / NIAGARA		16) AB-CHRISTIAN / ST. FRANCIS
8) Villanova		8) Iowa
9) Maryland		9) LSU

San Jose		Des Moines
5) Mississippi State		5) North Carolina
12) OLD DOMINION		12) UNC-GREENSBORO
4) HOUSTON		4) Wisconsin
13) LIPSCOMB		13) TEXAS STATE

Tulsa		Hartford
6) NC State		6) BUFFALO
11) VCU / UCF		11) Kansas State
3) Texas Tech		3) Ohio State
14) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS		14) PENN

Columbus		Salt Lake City
7) SETON HALL		7) Louisville
10) Clemson		10) Florida
2) Michigan State		2) GONZAGA
15) NORTHERN KENTUCKY		15) SOUTH DAKOTA ST

WEST – Anaheim		SOUTH – Louisville
Columbia, SC		Columbus
1) TENNESSEE		1) MICHIGAN
16) TEXAS SOUTHERN		16) LEHIGH
8) Minnesota		8) St. John’s
9) Iowa State		9) TCU

Salt Lake City		Des Moines
5) Marquette		5) Virginia Tech
12) CHARLESTON		12) Purdue / Temple
4) Oklahoma		4) Kentucky
13) NEW MEXICO ST		13) BELMONT

Jacksonville		Jacksonville
6) Auburn		6) Cincinnati
11) Texas		11) SAINT LOUIS
3) Indiana		3) Florida State
14) UC-IRVINE		14) VERMONT

Hartford		San Jose
7) ARIZONA STATE		7) Nebraska
10) Creighton		10) Washington
2) Virginia		2) NEVADA
15) RADFORD		15) MONTANA

BUBBLE NOTES
Last 4 Byes	Last 4 IN	First 4 OUT	Next 4 OUT
Clemson	VCU	Vanderbilt	Butler
Washington	UCF	Syracuse	Ole Miss
Texas	Purdue	Arizona	Notre Dame
Kansas State	Temple	Missouri	Alabama

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

Breakdown by Conference …

Big 10 (10): Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Maryland, Purdue

ACC (8): Duke, Virginia, Florida State, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, NC State, Louisville, Clemson

SEC (6): Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Auburn, LSU, Florida

BIG 12 (6): Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa State, TCU, Texas, Kansas State

Big East (5): Seton Hall, Marquette, St. John’s, Villanova, Creighton

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

Pac 12 (2): Arizona State, Washington

Atlantic 10 (2): Saint Louis, VCU

Mountain West (1): Nevada

West Coast (1): Gonzaga

ONE BID LEAGUES: Southern Illinois (MVC), Niagara (MAAC), Old Dominion (C-USA), Texas State (SBELT), Penn (IVY), Montana (BSKY), Northern Kentucky (HORIZON), Abilene Christian (SLND), UNC-Greensboro (STHN), UC-Irvine (BWEST), Buffalo (MAC), Lipscomb (ASUN), Belmont (OVC), Charleston (CAA), Radford (BSO), Morgan State (MEAC), South Dakota State (SUM), New Mexico State (WAC), Vermont (AEAST), Lehigh (PAT), St. Francis-NY (NEC), Texas Southern (SWAC)

Kansas, Kentucky headline preseason NCAA tournament bracket projection

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By Dave OmmenOct 29, 2018, 10:16 AM EST

1 Comment

A new college basketball season is upon us, which means another journey toward Selection Sunday and March Madness. With that in mind, we offer up our annual preseason bracket projection, an exercise that is most certainly more art than science.

What we think we know is that Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, and Gonzaga are among a handful of teams that figure to be in the conversation for No. 1 seeds. Another strong group includes such names as North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and, yes, even Villanova. And then there’s Nevada, a hungry and hearty Wolfpack with their own Final Four aspirations.

One thing’s for certain, the bracket will look a lot different come March. That’s the beauty of college hoops. Enjoy the ride!

BRACKET PROJECTION

UPDATED: October 29, 2018

FIRST FOUR – DAYTON
MIDWEST REGION	Houston vs. Texas
SOUTH REGION	Xavier vs. San Diego State
WEST REGION	Sacramento St. vs. St. Francis (PA)
SOUTH REGION	Radford vs. Beth-Cookman

MIDWEST – Kansas City		SOUTH – Louisville
Tulsa		Columbus
1) KANSAS		1) KENTUCKY
16) HARTFORD		16) RADFORD vs. BETH-COOKMAN
8) Purdue		8) CINCINNATI
9) Providence		9) Maryland

Des Moines		Tulsa
5) Washington		5) Florida State
12) Houston / Texas		12) Xavier / San Diego St
4) Virginia Tech		4) Kansas State
13) UNC-Greensboro		13) NORTHEASTERN

Jacksonville		Columbus
6) UCLA		6) LSU
11) Minnesota		11) WESTERN KENTUCKY
3) Auburn		3) MICHIGAN STATE
14) NEW MEXICO ST		14) JACKSONVILLE ST

Hartford		Columbia
7) TCU		7) St. John’s
10) SAINT LOUIS		10) USC
2) Virginia		2) North Carolina
15) NO. KENTUCKY		15) GEORGIA STATE

WEST – Anaheim		EAST – Washington, DC
Salt Lake City		Columbia
1) GONZAGA		1) DUKE
16) SAC ST / ST. FRANCIS		16) LEHIGH
8) UCF		8) Indiana
9) Nebraska		9) Alabama

Des Moines		Salt Lake City
5) Michigan		5) West Virginia
12) SOUTH DAKOTA ST		12) LOYOLA (CHI)
4) Syracuse		4) Mississippi State
13) MONTANA		13) HARVARD

San Jose		Hartford
6) Marquette		6) Wisconsin
11) Iowa State		11) BUFFALO
3) OREGON		3) VILLANOVA
14) UC-IRVINE		14) RIDER

San Jose		Jacksonville
7) Florida		7) Clemson
10) NC State		10) Saint Joseph’s
2) NEVADA		2) Tennessee
15) S.F. AUSTIN		15) LIPSCOMB

BUBBLE NOTES
Last 4 Byes	Last 4 IN	First 4 OUT	Next 4 OUT
Saint Joseph’s	Houston	Notre Dame	Texas Tech
NC State	Texas	Arizona	Louisville
Iowa State	Xavier	BYU	Butler
Minnesota	San Diego State	Vanderbilt	Arizona State

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

Breakdown by Conference …

ACC (8): Duke, North Carolina, Virginia, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Clemson, NC State

Big 10 (8): Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Minnesota

SEC (7): Kentucky, Tennessee, Auburn, Mississippi State, LSU, Florida, Alabama

BIG 12 (6): Kansas, Kansas State, West Virginia, TCU, Iowa State, Texas

Big East (5): Villanova, Marquette, St. John’s, Providence, Xavier

Pac 12 (4): Oregon, Washington, UCLA, USC

American (3): Cincinnati, UCF, Houston

Atlantic 10 (2): Saint Louis, Saint Joseph’s

Mountain West (2): Nevada, San Diego State

West Coast (1): Gonzaga

ONE BID LEAGUES: Loyola-Chicago (MVC), Rider (MAAC), Western Kentucky (C-USA), Georgia State (SBELT), Harvard (IVY), Montana (BSKY), Northern Kentucky (HORIZON), Stephen F. Austin (SLND), UNC-Greensboro (STHN), UC-Irvine (BWEST), Buffalo (MAC), Lipscomb (ASUN), Jacksonville State (OVC), Northeastern (CAA), Radford (BSO), Bethune-Cookman (MEAC), South Dakota State (SUM), New Mexico State (WAC), Hartford (AEAST), Lehigh (PAT), St. Francis-PA (NEC), Grambling State (SWAC)

Bracketology: Virginia reigns over Field of 68

Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images

By Dave OmmenMar 11, 2018, 10:08 AM EST

Bracketology: Kansas moves up, bubble tightens

John Weast/Getty Images

By Dave OmmenMar 10, 2018, 11:27 AM EST

2 Comments

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 – Atlanta		EAST – Boston
Charlotte		Pittsburgh
1) Virginia		1) Villanova
16) Hampton / Ark-PB		16) SE La / LIU-BROOKLYN
8) Providence		8) Rhode Island
9) Nevada		9) Kansas State

San Diego		San Diego
5) Florida		5) Clemson
12) Western Kentucky		12) MURRAY STATE
4) West Virginia		4) Arizona
13) Louisiana		13) Vermont

Nashville		Dallas
6) Miami-FL		6) Houston
11) Arizona St / Saint Mary’s		11) Oklahoma / USC
3) Auburn		3) Tennessee
14) CHARLESTON		14) BUCKNELL

Detroit		Detroit
7) TCU		7) Seton Hall
10) Butler		10) NC State
2) Cincinnati		2) Purdue
15) WRIGHT STATE		15) LIPSCOMB

WEST – Los Angeles		MIDWEST – Omaha
Pittsburgh		Wichita
1) Xavier		1) Kansas
16) RADFORD		16) Harvard
8) Virginia Tech		8) St. Bonaventure
9) Alabama		9) Florida State

Boise		Boise
5) Texas Tech		5) Ohio State
12) New Mexico State		12) SOUTH DAKOTA ST
4) GONZAGA		4) Wichita State
13) UNC-GREENSBORO		13) Buffalo

Dallas		Wichita
6) Kentucky		6) Arkansas
11) LOYOLA-CHICAGO		11) Texas
3) MICHIGAN		3) Michigan State
14) New Mexico		14) Montana

Charlotte		Nashville
7) Missouri		7) Texas AM
10) Creighton		10) UCLA
2) North Carolina		2) Duke
15) UC-Irvine		15) 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)

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