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.

Bracketology: UCLA joins No. 1 seeds

Maybe it was a matter of time: UCLA is back on the No. 1 seed line.  In totality, the Bruins have lost once since falling to Gonzaga in November – including a recent run of rather dominant performances, Arizona among them.  Now it’s time to take the show on the road.  UCLA’s next four are away from home: Arizona, Arizona State, Stanford, USC.  Clear that hurdle and the Bruins will be in prime position to keep a top-line spot a month from now.

Bracketology
Seed List

While the world was watching the NFL championship games Sunday, Drake knocked off Loyola-Chicago in Des Moines.  As a result, the Bulldogs own the tie-breaker against the Ramblers and garner a spot in the morning’s Field as the Missouri Valley’s automatic qualifier.  Think of it as scenario practice for Championship Week.

Quick Takes: Pac 12 looks like a 3-team race

This morning, the Pac-12 conference looks like a three-team race: UCLA, Arizona and USC.  Those three may also be the only teams that represent the league in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.  UCLA and Arizona appear to be title contenders.  USC remains a wait-and-see.  While unbeaten, the Trojans best victory is San Diego State.

As for the rest of the league … it’s hard to see another NCAA contender.  That could change, of course, but teams like Colorado, Washington State, Utah or someone else has work to do.

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: Gonzaga rolls UCLA, WCC making waves

In two weeks, Gonzaga owns victories over Texas and UCLA.  Two pretty good wins – at least if preseason projections hold up. Friday, the Zags play Duke.  Beating the Blue Devils would add a dominant trifecta to the Bulldogs resume, and strengthen their position as the most likely No. 1 overall seed – again – in March.

Let’s also not get ahead of ourselves.  The West Coast Conference will test Gonzaga.  BYU, Saint Mary’s, San Francisco and Santa Clara are a combined 20-0 this morning.  BYU has wins over San Diego State and Oregon.  Saint Mary’s beat Oregon on Tuesday, after beating Notre Dame in the opening round of the Maui Invitational (held in Las Vegas this year).  San Francisco and Santa Clara do not have any marquee wins yet, but it hasn’t been a cupcake-fest, either.   There will be some tough league road tests ahead for the Zags.