SL: Duke’s loss to UVA dampens No. 1 seed hopes

Could a last-second, three-point dagger from Virginia’s Reece Beekman really end Duke’s hopes of a No. 1 seed in March?  The answer is potentially, yes.  It’s too early to write off the Blue Devils.  First, college basketball is nothing if not unpredictable.  Predetermining outcomes a month from Selection Sunday seems a bit fruitless.  It was only yesterday that we wrote how Kentucky and Duke could both have inside tracks to the top line due to favorable schedules.  That thought lasted a day.

Seed List

The real obstacle for Duke now is that the Blue Devils may no longer control their own destiny with respect to a top seed.  Their remaining schedule features Wake Forest, North Carolina, Florida State and Virginia as its best benefits.  Losing to Virginia also drops Duke behind several other top-line contenders whom either have better metrics, better opportunities for NET-building victories, or both.

Kansas also lost Monday, falling in a close game at Texas.  The beneficiary this morning is Kentucky, which slides into the No. 4 position on the Seed List and would be the final No. 1 seed heading into action tonight.  Now that we’ve hit the stretch run, watch for more frequent Seed List updates – even if a write up may not always ensue.

Bracketology: Stretch run for No. 1 seeds

As we head into the first weekend of February, Auburn and Gonzaga are the strongest bets to retain No. 1 seed status a month from now.  That leaves two positions open for the stretch run.  This morning, those spots are occupied by Baylor and Kansas.  While possible, it’s unlikely both ultimately end up on the top line together.

Bracketology
Seed List

Who are the other contenders?  Let’s take a quick peek (in no particular order):

Purdue – The Boilermakers own favorable metrics and performance numbers, and are the loss at Rutgers away from being on the No. 1 line today.  The Big Ten also allows for plenty of Quad 1/2 opportunities between now and Selection Sunday.

Quick Takes: Purdue dominates FSU, makes case for No. 1

Purdue dominated Florida State at Mackey Arena on Tuesday.  The Boilermakers are going to be a tough out – every night.  With loud, raucous fans in the stands, good luck beating them at home.  Regardless, with Duke’s loss at Ohio State, Purdue will be the No. 1 overall seed when the bracket updates again on Saturday – assuming the Boilermakers beat Iowa at home on Friday night.

The only thing we haven’t seen Purdue accomplish – a true road victory.  The Boilers first such test is December 9 at Rutgers.  While that one shouldn’t be troublesome on paper, home court advantage is back.  Road wins will matter, again.

Bracketology: Duke vaults to No. 1 overall seed

Now that we’re done with Feast Week and its plethora of holiday tournaments, time for a quick bracket update.  One choice was easy: Duke’s victory over Gonzaga vaulted the Blue Devils into the No. 1 overall seed position.  Duke also owns a neutral-court victory over Kentucky, which resides on the two-line.  Joining Duke as Region leaders: Gonzaga (West), Purdue (Midwest) and UCLA (South).

Bracketology
Seed List

As usual, we have a wide range of early information.  Some teams have played multiple quality opponents.  Others have yet to leave the confines of home – or even be tested.  So take this edition of Bracketology for what it is … a snapshot in time based on a variety of factors.

Early kudos to Iowa State and Arizona, two of the most notable climbers, along with Marquette.  It’s been a mixed bag on the mid-major front.  We’ve seen some big victories and some unfortunate slow starts.  We’ll have a larger at-large conversation ahead of 2022.

Quick Takes: Duke topples Gonzaga, Iowa State wows in Brooklyn

Easy headlines for the latest Quick Takes: Duke beats Gonzaga, two teams that could end up at the Final Four in New Orleans.  And … Iowa State wows in Brooklyn.

Let’s start with Duke. The Blue Devils added another major asset to their non-conference resume; they opened with a victory over Kentucky.  Next up: Ohio State in the B10-ACC challenge.  An overlooked stat from Friday night?  Duke induced Gonzaga into 17 turnovers.  Those extra possessions and an eight-point edge at the free throw line helped account for the final margin.  Truth be told, neither team fared particularly well at the charity stripe.  Whether that’s a short or long-term issue remains to be seen.

Now, for Iowa State.  Picked to finish near the bottom of the Big 12, the Cyclones arrived in Brooklyn without much fanfare.  Best win was a quickly-fading Oregon State outfit.  ISU left the Big Apple with impressive victories over Xavier and Memphis – by a combined 31 points.  Can the Cyclones sustain their early success?  We’ll find out together.  But it’s a great start, nonetheless.   In early December, ISU travels to Creighton and hosts Iowa.  Win those, and the Cyclones should be 12-0 heading into a January 1 matchup with Baylor.