This is the final bracketology of the calendar year, and it was a short week due to the Christmas holiday. Here is the final bracketology of 2016.
Biggest Winner: Louisville has jumped to number six in the country after a very impressive win over Kentucky last week. This team is now 11-1 this year after missing the tournament last year due to the prostitution scandal last season, where they had a self-imposed postseason ban. They will look to continue their strong start as they open their conference schedule on Wednesday taking on ACC powerhouse Virginia before a matchup with Indiana on New Year’s Eve.
Biggest Loser: Wichita State is still 10-3 this season, but they have almost limped to that. They lost to Michigan State and Louisville early in the season, not bad losses, but they fell to Oklahoma State at home, where they nearly never lose. With the emergence of Loyola-Chicago in the Missouri Valley, the Shockers may struggle to get in the tournament. They look to turn things around as they open up conference play on Wednesday against Indiana State before a tilt with Bradley on New Year’s Day.
East Region:
1: Villanova vs 16: UC-Davis/UNC Central
8: Dayton vs 9: Arkansas
5: Florida State vs 12: Ohio State/Texas A&M
4: Arizona vs 13: New Mexico State
6: Florida vs 11: Loyola-Chicago
3: Virginia vs 14: Chattanooga
7: Virginia Tech vs 10: Northwestern
2: Kentucky vs 15: Winthrop
West Region:
1: UCLA vs 16: Sam Houston State/Texas Southern
8: Michigan vs 9: Oklahoma State
5: Wisconsin vs 12: UT-Arlington
4: Butler vs 13: Valparaiso
6: St. Mary’s vs 11: Providence
3: West Virginia vs 14: Vermont
7: South Carolina vs 10: Clemson
2: Louisville vs 15: Bucknell
Midwest Region:
1: Kansas vs 16: Tennessee-Martin
8: Maryland vs 9: Seton Hall
5: Xavier vs 12: Monmouth
4: Indiana vs 13: UNC Wilmington
6: USC vs 11: San Diego State/Rhode Island
3: North Carolina vs 14: Yale
7: Notre Dame vs 10: Minnesota
2: Gonzaga vs 15: Eastern Washington
South Region:
1: Baylor vs 16: LIU Brooklyn
8: Miami vs 9: Wichita State
5: Cincinnati vs 12: Nevada
4: Purdue vs 13: Ft. Wayne
6: Oregon vs 11: Akron
3: Creighton vs 14: Florida Gulf Coast
7: Iowa State vs 10: Michigan State
2: Duke vs 15: Middle Tennessee State
Conferences with multiple bids:
- ACC, Big 10: 9
- Big East: 6
- Big 12, SEC: 5
- Pac 12: 4
- WCC, Missouri Valley, Mountain West: 2
