Bracketology: Kansas claims Midwest Region

With its sheer volume of impressive victories, Kansas has moved past Houston on the Seed List, sitting No. 2 overall and just slightly behind Alabama for the No. 1 overall seed as we head into the final weekend of the regular season.  It’s a significant change because both Kansas and Houston would prefer a path through Kansas City.

Bracketology

We’ve reached critical mass for several bubble teams.  We’re also likely to lose one or two at-large spots next week – if history is any indication.  If your team is straddling the cutline, being safe this Sunday is no guarantee of safety on Selection Sunday.

Next week, a more serious scrubbing process will ensue throughout the Seed List.  While frequent updates are fun, they limit ample time full reflections.  There likely won’t be major changes, but a few teams could see an adjustment (up or down) ahead of power conference tournaments.

Seed List: Kansas moves up, Bubble gets new faces

Perhaps it was inevitable.  Kansas has jumped Houston on the seed list.  While one position may not seem like much, in this case, it’s huge for KU.  By surpassing Houston, Kansas is in position to claim the top spot in the Midwest Region, routing the Jayhawks through Des Moines and Kansas City.

Seed List

Along the bubble, Boise State added a meaningful victory over San Diego State.  It could end up being a victory that solidifies a bracket position for the Broncos.  North Carolina State lost a competitive game at Duke.  While the result itself is fine, the loss leaves NC State with just two wins against the projected at-large field, both at home (Duke, Miami).  In an odd turn of events, the Wolfpack would benefit from a late North Carolina surge – along with a win or two at the ACC tournament.  NC State currently has a 2-6 mark against Quad 1.

Auburn, meanwhile, is 2-8 against Quad 1 and has slowly drifted toward the bubble, too.  The difference for the Tigers includes Quad 2 victories over Mississippi State and Missouri, which would give Auburn four wins against the field.  Auburn also played a significantly better non-conference schedule.

Both NC State and Auburn remain on the right side of the bubble.  Forecasting an eventual slot in the Field of 68 just isn’t as clear as it used to be – especially with some significant bubble games yet to be played this week.

Bracketology: Battles brewing throughout the Field

We are less than a month from Selection Sunday.  Battles are brewing throughout the Field.  While Alabama, Kansas, Purdue and Houston retain No. 1 seeds this morning,  several other contenders remain in the mix: UCLA, Texas and Baylor among them.  It’s also too early to eliminate Arizona or Tennessee.

Bracketology

Battles are also brewing along several seed position junctures, including coveted spots among protected three and four seeds.  Bubble teams continue to percolate.  A trio a Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams are among the final byes and First Four participants.

A couple of reminders:
1) Every year more more teams tend to play their way out of contention rather than in;
2) We are likely to lose a couple of bracket positions due to upsets in conference tournaments.  It’s plausible that someone other than Virginia, Miami, Duke, Pittsburgh or NC State will win the Atlantic Coast Conference tourney.  It’s also plausible that Florida Atlantic could win its remaining games but lose in the Conference USA final to a solid North Texas or UAB team.  How would the Committee view an Oral Roberts team that keeps rolling but loses a close game in the Summit League finale?

If your favorite team is currently seeded as a seven seed or lower, there’s work to finish.  Yes, that includes teams like Duke, Illinois, Rutgers, Auburn, Arkansas and Pittsburgh.  Simply trying to slide to the finish line can sometimes be costly.  Buckle up!

QT: Miami romps, Tuesday’s Bracket Impact Games

Miami romped past Duke in Coral Gables – dominating from start to finish.  It improved the Hurricanes to 6-4 vs. Quad 1 opponents.  Both the NET and predictive metrics are not necessarily aligned with Miami’s actual profile.  In terms of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) race, the Canes’ have a favorable schedule ahead.  Their two remaining road trips are North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Kansas outlasted Texas in Lawrence.  Those two reconnect in Austin to close the Big 12 regular season.  Both remain in the No. 1 seed discussion.  KU now has 10 wins against Quad 1.  That’s hard to miss on a team sheet.

Tuesday’s Bracket Impact Games:

Kansas rejoins No. 1 seeds + BIGs

After a brief, three-game blip, Kansas has regained its traction and rejoined the No. 1 seed line.  With a month to go – and numerous Quad 1 opportunities still ahead – there’s little ceiling for the Jayhawks on Selection Sunday.  Purdue remains No. 1 overall and will stay there regardless of its outcome this weekend at Indiana.

Seed List

It’s been a wild week along the bubble and Thursday’s results will go a long way toward finalizing the First Four and Next Four Out when a fresh bracket arrives Friday morning.

Thursday’s Bracket Impact Games (BIGs):