Can you believe it? Selection Sunday is already less than 100 days away, and conference play is right around the corner. Here’s this week’s bracketology, including what would be a fantastic midwest bracket.
Biggest Winner: I was torn between Baylor and UCLA, but decided to go with the Bruins of UCLA. This team is red-hot, and coming off a victory against then-#1 Kentucky in Lexington on Saturday, things can only get better. They have a test on Saturday against Michigan and will open up their conference play on December 28 in a tough Pac 12.
Biggest loser: Things have only fallen for Syracuse in the past few weeks. This team has not looked right in the past few games, and have lost three of their last four with losses to South Carolina, Wisconsin and UConn, and they just were able to squeak past North Florida at home. They also fell out of the Top 25 for the first time this season, and will look to turn it around against Boston University on Saturday before they take on bitter rival Georgetown on December 17.
Note: A team with an (*) represents a new team on the bracket.
East:
1: Villanova vs 16: New Mexico State/UNC Central
8: Maryland vs 9: Wichita State
5: Arizona vs 12: SMU/Clemson
4: West Virginia vs 13: Hawaii
6: Florida vs 11: Ohio
3: St. Mary’s vs 14: Arkansas State
7: USC vs 10: Michigan
2: North Carolina vs 15: Texas Southern
West:
1: UCLA vs 16: LIU Brooklyn/East Tennessee State
8: Temple vs 9: Michigan State
5: Butler vs 12: Princeton
4: Virginia vs 13: Monmouth
6: Cincinnati vs 11: TCU*
3: Louisville vs 14: Middle Tennessee State
7: Florida State vs 10: Rhode Island
2: Indiana vs 15: UT-Martin*
South:
1: Kentucky vs 16: Eastern Washington
8: California vs 9: Virginia Tech
5: Notre Dame vs 12: Colorado
4: Wisconsin vs 13: UNC Wilmington
6: Oregon vs 11: Oklahoma State
3: Creighton vs 14: Bucknell
7: Ohio State vs 10: Nevada*
2: Baylor vs 15: UNC Asheville
Midwest:
1: Kansas vs 16: Sam Houston State
8: Syracuse vs 9: VCU
5: Purdue vs 12: Dayton
4: Xavier vs 13: Ft. Wayne
6: South Carolina vs 11: San Diego State/Miami
3: Gonzaga vs 14: Vermont
7: Iowa State vs 10: Valparaiso
2: Duke vs 15: FGCU
