Bracketology (Feb. 21, 2019)

"His shoe just exploded!"

Yes, rather than discussing the actual Duke/UNC game, most people (and rightfully so) were focused on a potentially NCAA career-ending knee injury for Zion Williamson. UNC soundly defeated Duke, 88-72, with much of the advantage coming from Duke being shell-shocked from Zion's injury just 34 seconds into the contest.

How this affects Duke long term is unknown, but it's a big blow. More than anything, Zion's athleticism on the defensive end and his rim presence was especially missed against the Tar Heels. If Duke can't solve its defensive woes minus Zion, the Blue Devils will see a significant drop in results. That said, it's not like Coach K has a bunch of 2-star recruits, folks. He's bringing ol' 4- and 5-star recruits off the bench that had dozens of NCAA offers. While none of them are Zion, it's not like the cupboard is bare.

Duke remains the No. 1 team in the field -- the resume is just that good -- while the Tar Heels stay on the No. 2 line (but jump Michigan State on the S-curve). In fact, the top four lines remained the same with minor shuffling. There was minor movement in the 5-6-7 lines while, per usual, the 10-12 lines tend to be a revolving door.

Last Four Byes: Temple, Murray State, Lipscomb, Arizona State
Last Four In: Seton Hall, Alabama, NC State, Furman
First Four Out: Utah State, UCF, Nebraska, Butler
Next Four Out: Clemson, Toledo, Nebraska, Georgetown

Bracketology - Feb. 18, 2019

Another week means more chaos in the bracket. With one month remaining until Selection Sunday, here is where things stand.

Last Four Byes: Seton Hall, Murray State, Temple, Alabama
Last Four In: Arizona State, NC State, Furman, UCF
First Four Out: Utah State, Florida, UNC-Greensboro, Butler
Next Four Out: Clemson, Indiana, Nebraska, Toledo

Bracketology - Feb. 11, 2019

Per usual, our first posted bracket projections come after the NCAA unveils their "Top 16" teams list in early February. Judging from that ordered list, we've shuffled through the teams to fill out the rest of the bracket.

A few notes: There are plenty of teams at the bottom (at large seeds 10-12) that will play themselves in or out of the bracket from this moment forward (ahem, Indiana and Oklahoma). It's strange that those two teams are a combined 7-16 in their respective conference and have a grasp on an at-large spot, especially Oklahoma on the No. 10 line!

If you look at this bracket (and others) and see a top-heavy bracket, you're not alone; The top 18ish teams are head and shoulders ahead of the rest of the pack, and there is a decently-sized gap between Nos. 1-5 and Nos. 6-16 in my opinion. This could very well be the second year in NCAA Tournament history to see four No. 1 seeds in the Final Four -- and that shouldn't surprise anyone.

FINAL BRACKETOLOGY 2018

Coming off our first 68/68, here's our bid to go back-to-back. Check us out on the Bracket Matrix!

UPDATE: Bracketology - 3.11.18 AM

27 auto-bids handed out, 5 to go on this glorious Selection Sunday!

Here's where the seed list stands now (I really don't see much movement near the top at this point).

Last 4 Byes: Florida St., Creighton, St. Bonaventure, Texas
Last 4 In: Kansas St., Alabama, St. Mary's, Louisville
First 4 Out: Middle Tennessee, Arizona St., Oklahoma St, Syracuse
Next 4 Out: Marquette, Baylor, Nebraska, Notre Dame

Davidson is the only team playing today that will have an impact on who's in and who's out of the at-large field. My last team in - Louisville - needs Rhode Island to win today. A Davidson win, as the committee chair noted to Andy Katz early this morning, means the last team in the committee's field is destined for the NIT.

That team is all across the board. The bracket matrix has Arizona State as the final team in. Many are sticking with a mid-major like Middle Tennessee or even St. Mary's (who I have in the field as my second-to-last team). Either way, the madness has begun.

...and here is the bracket!

Bracketology (Seed List) 3.10.18-AM

Down the stretch they come! With a bid thief or two on the horizon (bubble teams are not happy with you, Nevada), it is getting incredibly warm on that cutline.

Here's the updated seed list after Friday night's games.

Last 4 Byes: Florida St., Creighton, Alabama, St. Bonaventure
Last 4 In: Kansas St., Texas, St. Mary's, Arizona St.
First 4 Out: Middle Tennessee, Louisville, Oklahoma St., Marquette

...and the bracket:

Bracketology - 3.9.18

Along with today's updated Seed List is the updated bracket. Boy, there are some doozy matchups (that probably won't happen). Seed List takes into account all games played on Thursday, March 8.

Last 4 Byes: St. Mary's, USC, St. Bonaventure, Texas
Last 4 In: Providence, Arizona St., Middle Tennessee, Alabama
First 4 Out: Oklahoma St., Baylor, Louisville, Syracuse
Next 4 Out: Notre Dame, Washington, Penn St., Nebraska