Bracketology 3/14/21

Well, that was fun, huh? Georgetown and Oregon State both finished magical Cinderella runs to win their conference tournaments. It made for great TV and tremendous stories, but it spells doom for the bubble. Those two last at-larges are now gone, and we will see later today who's bubble was popped. And watch out for Cincinnati, who will get a chance to pop a bubble today as well.

West

1       Gonzaga (1)

16   Appalachian State (67)/Texas Southern (68)

8       Connecticut (31)

9       Rutgers (35)

5       Villanova (17)

12   Winthrop (50)

4       Florida State (16)

13   Colgate (51)

6       Missouri (24)

11   UCLA (41)

3       Oklahoma State (9)

14   Grand Canyon (58)

7       LSU (27)

10   Georgia Tech (37)

2       Iowa (7)

15   Cleveland State (60)

South

1       Baylor (2)

16   Mt Saint Mary’s (65)/Norfolk State (66)

8       North Carolina (32)

9       San Diego State (33)

5       USC (18)

12   UC-Santa Barbara (49)

4       Purdue (14)

13   North Texas (53)

6       Texas Tech (22)

11   Louisville (43)/Drake (44)

3       Arkansas (11)

14   Abilene Christian (57)

7       Oklahoma (25)

10   VCU (40)

2       Ohio State (6)

15   Drexel (61)

Midwest

1       Illinois (3)

16   Hartford (64)

8       Oregon (30)

9       Loyola (Chicago) (34)

5       Tennessee (19)

12   Georgetown (47)

4       Virginia (15)

13   Ohio (52)

6       Colorado (21)

11   Utah State (45)/Wichita State (46)

3       Texas (10)

14   Morehead State (56)

7       Florida (28)

10   Maryland (39)

2       Houston (8)

15   Eastern Washington (59)

East

1       Michigan (4)

16   Oral Roberts (63)

8       Clemson (29)

9       St Bonaventure (36)

5       Creighton (20)

12   Oregon State (48)

4       West Virginia (13)

13   UNC-Greensboro (54)

6       BYU (23)

11   Michigan State (42)

3       Kansas (12)

14   Liberty (55)

7       Wisconsin (26)

10   Virginia Tech (38)

2       Alabama (5)

15   Iona (62)

Last Four In

Louisville

Drake

Utah State

Wichita State

First Four Out

Colorado State

Syracuse

Ole Miss

St. Louis

Bracketology 3/13/21

If you were crazy like me and stayed up until 2:30 AM ET last night, you saw Utah State do themselves a huge favor and beat Colorado State in the battle of the bubble. For Utah Sate, it gives them a much needed win and gets them on the right side of the cut line. For Colorado State, it's going to make the next 36 hours very stressful.

 West

1       Gonzaga (1)

16   Appalachian State (67)/Norfolk State (68)

8       Connecticut (31)

9       Rutgers (36)

5       Villanova (17)

12   UC-Santa Barbara (50)

4       Florida State (16)

13   Winthrop (51)

6       Missouri (24)

11   UCLA (41)

3       Oklahoma State (9)

14   Grand Canyon (58)

7       Clemson (27)

10   VCU (39)

2       Ohio State (7)

15   Drexel (61)

South

1       Baylor (2)

16   Mt Saint Mary’s (65)/Prairie View A&M (66)

8       North Carolina (32)

9       San Diego State (33)

5       Creighton (18)

12   Western Kentucky (49)

4       Purdue (14)

13   Buffalo (53)

6       Texas Tech (22)

11   Louisville (44)

3       Arkansas (10)

14   Abilene Christian (57)

7       Oklahoma (25)

10   Georgia Tech (40)

2       Iowa (6)

15   Cleveland State (60)

Midwest

1       Michigan (3)

16   Hartford (64)

8       Oregon (30)

9       Loyola (Chicago) (34)

5       Tennessee (20)

12   Drake (45)/Utah State (46)

4       Virginia (15)

13   Colgate (52)

6       Colorado (21)

11   Wichita State (42)

3       Texas (11)

14   Morehead State (56)

7       Florida (28)

10   St Bonaventure (37)

2       Houston (8)

15   Eastern Washington (59)

East

1       Illinois (4)

16   Oral Roberts (63)

8       LSU (29)

9       Virginia Tech (35)

5       USC (19)

12   Colorado State (47)/Syracuse (48)

4       West Virginia (13)

13   UNC-Greensboro (54)

6       BYU (23)

11   Michigan State (43)

3       Kansas (12)

14   Liberty (55)

7       Wisconsin (26)

10   Maryland (38)

2       Alabama (5)

15   Iona (62)

Last Four In

Drake

Utah State

Colorado State

Syracuse

First Four Out

St. Louis

Ole Miss

Boise State

Duke

Bracketology 3/12/21

The bubble teams can't make this easy, can they? Syracuse loses a heartbreaker to UVA at the buzzer, Boise State takes a third L to Nevada, UCLA blows a 16 point lead against Oregon State, and Michigan State gets handled by Maryland. As it stands, one game shouldn't do too much damage to a resume, unless it's a Q4 L (hint hint, Boise State). But beware the bid thieves, they are coming.

 West

1       Gonzaga (1)

16   Appalachian State (67)/Norfolk State (68)

8       Loyola (Chicago) (32)

9       Connecticut (33)

5       Florida State (17)

12   Western Kentucky (49)

4       Villanova (16)

13   UC-Santa Barbara (51)

6       Missouri (24)

11   UCLA (41)

3       Texas (10)

14   Southern Utah (58)

7       Oklahoma (25)

10   Georgia Tech (40)

2       Ohio State (7)

15   Grand Canyon (60)

South

1       Baylor (2)

16   Mt Saint Mary’s (65)/Prairie View A&M (66)

8       San Diego State (31)

9       Rutgers (36)

5       USC (17)

12   Toledo (50)

4       Purdue (14)

13   Winthrop (52)

6       Texas Tech (21)

11   Louisville (44)

3       Arkansas (9)

14   Abilene Christian (57)

7       Clemson (27)

10   VCU (39)

2       Iowa (6)

15   Drexel (61)

Midwest

1       Michigan (3)

16   Saint Peter’s (64)

8       LSU (30)

9       North Carolina (34)

5       Tennessee (20)

12   Colorado State (45)/Drake (46)

4       Virginia (15)

13   Colgate (53)

6       BYU (23)

11   Wichita State (42)

3       Kansas (11)

14   Morehead State (56)

7       Florida (28)

10   St, Bonaventure (37)

2       Houston (8)

15   Cleveland State (59)

East

1       Illinois (4)

16   Hartford (63)

8       Oregon (29)

9       Virginia Tech (36)

5       Creighton (19)

12   Syracuse (47)/Ole Miss (48)

4       Oklahoma State (13)

13   UNC-Greensboro (54)

6       Colorado (22)

11   Michigan State (43)

3       West Virginia (12)

14   Liberty (55)

7       Wisconsin (26)

10   Maryland (38)

2       Alabama (5)

15   Oral Roberts (62)

Last Four Byes

UCLA

Wichita State

Michigan State

Louisville

Last Four In

Colorado State

Drake

Syracuse

Ole Miss

First Four Out

Utah State

St. Louis

Seton Hall

Xavier

Bracketology 3/11/21

Today, there will be twelve consecutive hours of college basketball. And tomorrow. And Saturday. If you aren't excited by that, then you have no concept of fun. 

West

1       Gonzaga (1)

16   Appalachian State (67)/North Carolina A&T (68)

8       Loyola (Chicago) (32)

9       Connecticut (33)

5       USC (18)

12   Western Kentucky (49)

4       Virginia (16)

13   UC-Santa Barbara (51)

6       BYU (24)

11   Georgia Tech (41)

3       West Virginia (9)

14   Southern Utah (58)

7       Missouri (25)

10   VCU (40)

2       Ohio State (7)

15   Grand Canyon (60)

South

1       Baylor (2)

16   Mt. Saint Mary’s (65)/Prairie View A&M (66)

8       LSU (31)

9       Rutgers (35)

5       Florida State (17)

12   Toledo (50)

4       Purdue (15)

13   Winthrop (52)

6       Oklahoma (23)

11   Wichita State (42)

3       Arkansas (10)

14   Abilene Christian (57)

7       Clemson (27)

10   Maryland (38)

2       Iowa (6)

15   Drexel (61)

Midwest

1       Michigan (3)

16   Saint Peter’s (64)

8       Oregon (30)

9       Virginia Tech (34)

5       Texas Tech (21)

12   Colorado State (45)/Drake (46)

4       Villanova (14)

13   Colgate (53)

6       Tennessee (20)

11   Louisville (44)

3       Texas (11)

14   Morehead State (56)

7       Florida (28)

10   St, Bonaventure (37)

2       Houston (8)

15   Cleveland State (59)

East

1       Illinois (4)

16   Hartford (63)

8       San Diego State (29)

9       North Carolina (36)

5       Creighton (19)

12   Syracuse (47)/Boise State (48)

4       Oklahoma State (13)

13   UNC-Greensboro (54)

6       Colorado (22)

11   Michigan State (43)

3       Kansas (12)

14   Liberty (55)

7       Wisconsin (26)

10   UCLA (39)

2       Alabama (5)

15   Oral Roberts (62)

Last Four Byes

41. Georgia Tech

42. Wichita State

43. Michigan State

44. Louisville

Last Four In

45. Colorado State

46. Drake

47. Syracuse

48. Boise State

First Four Out

Utah State

Ole Miss

Xavier

Seton Hall

Bracketology 3/10/21

This Bracketology has no huge updates. This is more to update for the new auto-bids that have given out the past couple of days.

One of the most exciting ones is Appalachian State, who went from 8th place in the Sun Belt to Conference Champions. For a team that has not been in the tournament since 2000, this is a huge accomplishment. A 1 vs 16 match-up between Michigan and App State is what I'm hoping for, but alas, currently App State is destined for a First Four game, as there is a reason they were 8th in the Sun Belt. 

West

1       Gonzaga (1)

16   Appalachian State (67)/North Carolina A&T (68)

8       Loyola (Chicago) (32)

9       Maryland (35)

5       USC (17)

12   Xavier (47)/Boise State (48)

4       Purdue (16)

13   UC-Santa Barbara (51)

6       Clemson (24)

11   VCU (41)

3       West Virginia (9)

14   Southern Utah (58)

7       Missouri (26)

10   North Carolina (39)

2       Ohio State (7)

15   Siena (60)

South

1       Baylor (2)

16   Mt

8       LSU (31)

9       Rutgers (36)

5       Virginia (19)

12   Western Kentucky (49)

4       Villanova (15)

13   Winthrop (52)

6       Oklahoma (23)

11   Georgia Tech (42)

3       Arkansas (10)

14   Abilene Christian (57)

7       BYU (25)

10   Louisville (40)

2       Iowa (6)

15   Grand Canyon (61)

Midwest

1       Michigan (3)

16   Hartford (64)

8       Oregon (30)

9       Virginia Tech (34)

5       Creighton (18)

12   Toledo (50)

4       Oklahoma State (14)

13   Colgate (53)

6       Tennessee (20)

11   Wichita State (43)

3       Texas (11)

14   Morehead State (56)

7       Florida (28)

10   UCLA (38)

2       Houston (8)

15   Cleveland State (59)

East

1       Illinois (4)

16   Drexel (63)

8       San Diego State (29)

9       Connecticut (33)

5       Texas Tech (21)

12   Colorado State (45)/Drake (46)

4       Florida State (13)

13   UNC-Greensboro (54)

6       Colorado (22)

11   Michigan State (44)

3       Kansas (12)

14   Liberty (55)

7       Wisconsin (27)

10   St, Bonaventure (37)

2       Alabama (5)

15   Oral Roberts (62)

Last Four Byes

41. VCU

42. Georgia Tech

43. Wichita State

44. Michigan State

Last Four In

45. Colorado State

46. Drake

47. Xavier

48. Boise State

First Four Out

Seton Hall

Syracuse

Utah State

Ole Miss

Bracketology 3/8/21

I was going to write a nice, long championship blurb, but my girlfriend is reading this over my shoulder so I'll leave it up to your imagination.

 West

1       Gonzaga (1)

16   Prairie View A&M (67)/North Carolina A&T (68)

8       Loyola (Chicago) (32)

9       Maryland (35)

5       USC (17)

12   Xavier (47)/Boise State (48)

4       Purdue (16)

13   UC-Santa Barbara (51)

6       Clemson (24)

11   VCU (41)

3       West Virginia (9)

14   Abilene Christian (58)

7       Missouri (26)

10   North Carolina (39)

2       Ohio State (7)

15   Southern Utah (60)

South

1       Baylor (2)

16   Bryant (65)/Hartford (66)

8       LSU (31)

9       Rutgers (36)

5       Virginia (19)

12   Western Kentucky (49)

4       Villanova (15)

13   Winthrop (52)

6       Oklahoma (23)

11   Georgia Tech (42)

3       Arkansas (10)

14   South Dakota State (57)

7       BYU (25)

10   Louisville (40)

2       Iowa (6)

15   Cleveland State (61)

Midwest

1       Michigan (3)

16   Northeastern (64)

8       Oregon (30)

9       Virginia Tech (34)

5       Creighton (18)

12   Toledo (50)

4       Oklahoma State (14)

13   Colgate (53)

6       Tennessee (20)

11   Wichita State (43)

3       Texas (11)

14   Morehead State (56)

7       Florida (28)

10   UCLA (38)

2       Houston (8)

15   Georgia State (59)

East

1       Illinois (4)

16   Grand Canyon (63)

8       San Diego State (29)

9       Connecticut (33)

5       Texas Tech (21)

12   Colorado State (45)/Drake (46)

4       Florida State (13)

13   UNC-Greensboro (54)

6       Colorado (22)

11   Michigan State (44)

3       Kansas (12)

14   Liberty (55)

7       Wisconsin (27)

10   St, Bonaventure (37)

2       Alabama (5)

15   Siena (62)

Last Four Byes

41. VCU

42. Georgia Tech

43. Wichita State

44. Michigan State

Last Four In

45. Colorado State

46. Drake

47. Xavier

48. Boise State

First Four Out

Seton Hall

Syracuse

Utah State

Ole Miss

Bracketology 3/5/21

As we approach the last weekend of regular season games, beware of the commentator hyperbole. Commentators are likely to say "This win gets them in" or "This game determines their tournament fates".

The reality is, the majority of the seeding is done. Yes, these last games are important, but the games now are equal in value to the games in November. It's not like a final exam where they're worth 25% of your grade, think more of a last set of homework worth between 5-10%. They matter, but won't completely revamp a resume. 

 Region 1

1       Gonzaga (1)

16   Prairie View A&M (67)/North Carolina A&T (68)

8       LSU (32)

9       Maryland (33)

5       Tennessee (20)

12   Xavier (45)/Drake (46)

4       Texas (14)

13   Winthrop (54)

6       Oklahoma (22)

11 Georgia Tech (42)

3       Houston (9)

14   Abilene Christian (58)

7       Missouri (25)

10   St, Bonaventure (40)

2       Iowa (8)

15   Southern Utah (59)

Region 2

1       Baylor (2)

16   Texas State (66)/Bryant (65)

8       Virginia Tech (31)

9       Oregon (34)

5       Creighton (18)

12   Western Kentucky (49)

4       Purdue (16)

13   UC-Santa Barbara (51)

6       Virginia (24)

11   Wichita State (43)

3       Arkansas (11)

14   Liberty (56)

7       Colorado (26)

10   Louisville (39)

2       Ohio State (5)

15   Siena (62)

Region 3

1       Michigan (3)

16   Grand Canyon (64)

8       Loyola (Chicago) (30)

9       Rutgers (36)

5       Texas Tech (17)

12   Toledo (50)

4       Villanova (13)

13   Colgate (53)

6       BYU (21)

11 VCU (41)

3       Florida State (12)

14   UNC-Greensboro (55)

7       Florida (28)

10   North Carolina (38)

2       West Virginia (7)

15   Cleveland State (60)

Region 4

1       Illinois (4)

16   UMBC (63)

8       San Diego State (29)

9       UCLA (35)

5       USC (19)

12   Michigan State (47)/Seton Hall (48)

4       Oklahoma State (15)

13   Belmont (52)

6       Clemson (23)

11   Colorado State (44)

3       Kansas (10)

14   South Dakota State (57)

7       Wisconsin (27)

10   Connecticut (37)

2       Alabama (6)

15   James Madison (61)

Last Four Byes

41. VCU

42. Georgia Tech

43. Wichita State

44. Colorado State

Last Four In

45. Xavier

46. Drake

47. Michigan State

48. Seton Hall

First Four Out

Boise State

St. Louis

Duke

Memphis

Bracketology 3/2/21

Region 1

1       Gonzaga (1)

16   Prairie View A&M (67)/North Carolina A&T (68)

8       Maryland (31)

9       LSU (33)

5       Purdue (17)

12   Toledo (50)

4       Texas (14)

13   Winthrop (54)

6       BYU (22)

11   VCU (42)

3       Houston (9)

14   Liberty (57)

7       Missouri (25)

10   Connecticut (40)

2       Iowa (8)

15   Siena (62)

Region 2

1       Michigan (2)

16   Texas State (66)/Bryant (65)

8       Virginia Tech (32)

9       UCLA (34)

5       Creighton (18)

12   Western Kentucky (49)

4       Oklahoma (16)

13   Belmont (52)

6       USC (24)

11   Boise State (41)

3       Kansas (10)

14   South Dakota State (58)

7       Wisconsin (26)

10   St, Bonaventure (39)

2       Alabama (7)

15   James Madison (61)

Region 3

1       Baylor (3)

16   Grand Canyon (64)

8       San Diego State (30)

9       Rutgers (35)

5       Texas Tech (19)

12   Michigan State (48)/ Drake (47)

4       Villanova (13)

13   UC-Santa Barbara (51)

6       Virginia (23)

11   Xavier (43)

3       Arkansas (11)

14   Wright State (55)

7       Colorado (27)

10   Louisville (38)

2       Ohio State (5)

15   Eastern Washington (60)

Region 4

1       Illinois (4)

16   UMBC (63)

8       Loyola (Chicago) (29)

9       Oregon (36)

5       Clemson (20)

12   Seton Hall (45)/Colorado State (46)

4       Oklahoma State (15)

13   Colgate (53)

6       Tennessee (21)

11   Wichita State (44)

3       Florida State (12)

14   UNC-Greensboro (56)

7       Florida (28)

10   North Carolina (37)

2       West Virginia (6)

15   Abilene Christian (61)

Last Four Byes

1.      Boise State

2.      VCU

3.      Xavier

4.      Wichita State

Last Four In

1.      Seton Hall

2.      Colorado State

3.      Drake

Michigan State

First Four Out

Georgia Tech

Stanford

Duke

Minnesota

Bracketology 2/26/21

You may notice a surprise is this edition of Bracketology. Michigan State, a team left for dead as recently as a week ago, is now not only on the bubble, but as of today in the field. How does a team rise up so dramatically?

The answer, to quote Orwell, boils down to "All games are equal. But some games are more equal than others." In the last three weeks, Michigan State picked up a solid Q1 road win over Indiana, and then two massive home wins over Illinois and Ohio State. In a bubble that is known for mediocre teams losing to good ones, beating two Top 5 teams in the country does huge favors for a resume. In one week, Michigan State now has 5 Q1 wins, two of them Top 5, and only one loss outside of Q1, and the road loss to Northwestern is Q2. The metrics still aren't that strong, and Michigan State has a murderous stretch of games still, including two games against Michigan. But even so, this has been a remarkable achievement for Tom Izzo's group.

Region 1

1       Gonzaga (1)

16   Prairie View A&M (67)/North Carolina A&T (68)

8       Florida (32)

9       Maryland (35)

5       Tennessee (18)

12   Belmont (49)

4       Texas (13)

13   Winthrop (54)

6       Missouri (23)

11   VCU (42)

3       Villanova (9)

14   Liberty (58)

7       Oklahoma State (25)

10   North Carolina (40)

2       Iowa (8)

15   Siena (59)

Region 2

1       Baylor (2)

16   Texas State (65)/ South Dakota (66)

8       Rutgers (30)

9       San Diego State (34)

5       USC (17)

12   Western Kentucky (50)

4       Virginia (15)

13   Toledo (52)

6       Wisconsin (24)

11   Louisville (41)

3       Houston (10)

14   Abilene Christian (57)

7       BYU (26)

10   Drake (39)

2       Illinois (5)

15   James Madison (62)

Region 3

1       Michigan (3)

16   Eastern Washington (64)

8       Loyola (Chicago) (31)

9       UCLA (33)

5       Texas Tech (19)

12   Michigan State (45)/ Xavier (46)

4       Arkansas (16)

13   UC-Santa Barbara (51)

6       Clemson (22)

11   Seton Hall (43)

3       Florida State (11)

14   Wright State (56)

7       Colorado (28)

10   St, Bonaventure (37)

2       West Virginia (7)

15   Grand Canyon (60)

Region 4

1       Ohio State (4)

16   Wagner (63)

8       LSU (29)

9       Oregon (36)

5       Creighton (20)

12   Wichita State (47)/Colorado State (48)

4       Kansas (14)

13   Colgate (53)

6       Purdue (21)

11   Connecticut (44)

3       Oklahoma (12)

14   Furman (55)

7       Virginia Tech (27)

10   Boise State (38)

2       Alabama (6)

15   UMBC (61)

Last Four Byes

Louisville

VCU

Seton Hall

Connecticut

Last Four In

Michigan State

Xavier

Wichita State

Colorado State

First Four Out

Stanford

Minnesota

Duke

Georgia Tech

Next Four Out

Indiana

Richmond

SMU

Ole Miss

Bracketology 2/22/21

For this Bracketology, you'll notice some fluidity in the bracket compared to normal. This is because as the season goes on, I will conduct a large overview of the Bracket, rather than comparing individual teams. This is useful as it allows me to take into account winning streaks and losing streaks, as well as how the metrics look at a team. For example, Rutgers was a team I was high on, as they have good schedule numbers and 4 Q1 wins. However, looking at the resume closely, I saw that a 12-9 record and meh metrics isn't conducive to a high seed, and several other teams felt that. As the season continues to the last three weeks, there will be less fluidity, as more teams will either tighten their resumes or fall off the bubble.

Region 1

1       Gonzaga (1)

16   Prairie View A&M (67)/North Carolina A&T (68)

8       Florida (32)

9       UCLA (33)

5       USC (17)

12   Western Kentucky (50)

4       Kansas (15)

13   Toledo (52)

6       Clemson (24)

11   Drake (41)

3       Villanova (9)

14   Liberty (58)

7       Arkansas (25)

10   St. Bonaventure (40)

2       West Virginia (8)

15   Siena (60)

Region 2

1       Baylor (2)

16   South Dakota (65)/Bryant (66)

8       Colorado (31)

9       Seton Hall (34)

5       Purdue (19)

12   Connecticut (47)/Stanford (48)

4       Florida State (16)

13   UC-Santa Barbara (51)

6       Creighton (23)

11   Boise State (42)

3       Iowa (10)

14   Abilene Christian (57)

7       LSU (26)

10   North Carolina (39)

2       Illinois (5)

15   James Madison (62)

Region 3

1       Michigan (3)

16   Texas State (64)

8       BYU (30)

9       San Diego State (35)

5       Tennessee (18)

12   Belmont (49)

4       Texas (14)

13   Colgate (53)

6       Virginia Tech (22)

11   Minnesota (44)

3       Houston (11)

14   UNC-Greensboro (56)

7       Rutgers (27)

10   Oregon (38)

2       Oklahoma (7)

15   Grand Canyon (59)

Region 4

1       Ohio State (4)

16   Eastern Washington (63)

8       Loyola (Chicago) (29)

9       Xavier (36)

5       Missouri (20)

12   VCU (45)/ Colorado State (46)

4       Virginia (13)

13   Winthrop (54)

6       Wisconsin (21)

11   Louisville (43)

3       Texas Tech (12)

14   Wright State (55)

7       Oklahoma State (28)

10   Maryland (37)

2       Alabama (6)

15   UMBC (61)

Last Four Byes

1.      Drake

2.      Boise State

3.      Louisville

4.      Minnesota

Last Four In

1.      VCU

2.      Colorado State

3.      Connecticut

Stanford

First Four Out

Indiana

Wichita State

Utah State

St. Louis

Next Four Out

Syracuse

Duke

Richmond

Ole Miss

Bracketology 2/19/21

The weirdest resume so far is Minnesota's. At home, they might be the best team in the country. Wins include Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, and Purdue. Those wins rank with any team in the country. The problem is on the road: 0-8. You read that correctly, not a single victory.

In a normal season, no team would be even considered without any road wins. The committee has indicated that they value performance away from home, and have penalized teams with poor road records. However, Minnesota might be extended a mulligan for the circumstances of the season. They can, however, make their lives much easier by beating Penn State in Happy Valley.

Region 1

 1       Gonzaga (1)

16   North Dakota State (67)/North Carolina A&T (68)

8       Florida (32)

9       UCLA (33)

5       Kansas (17)

12   Western Kentucky (50)

4       USC (16)

13   UC-Santa Barbara (51)

6       Virginia Tech (23)

11   Drake (42)

3       Iowa (10)

14   Abilene Christian (57)

7       LSU (25)

10   Maryland (40)

2       Oklahoma (8)

15   Grand Canyon (59)

Region 2

1       Baylor (2)

16   Bryant (65)/Prairie View A&M (66)

8       BYU (31)

9       Xavier (34)

5       Rutgers (19)

12   Belmont (49)

4       Tennessee (15)

13   Toledo (52)

6       Creighton (24)

11   Oregon (41)

3       Houston (11)

14   UNC-Greensboro (56)

7       Clemson (26)

10   VCU (38)

2       Illinois (5)

15   James Madison (62)

Region 3

1       Michigan (3)

16   Texas State (64)

8       Colorado (30)

9       Seton Hall (35)

5       Wisconsin (20)

12   Stanford (46)/Colorado State (48)

4       Texas Tech (13)

13   Winthrop (54)

6       Missouri (21)

11   St.  Bonaventure (44)

3       Virginia (12)

14   Wright State (55)

7       Oklahoma State (27)

10   Minnesota (39)

2       Villanova (7)

15   Siena (60)

Region 4

1       Ohio State (4)

16   Eastern Washington (63)

8       Loyola (Chicago) (29)

9       San Diego State (36)

5       Florida State (18)

12   Indiana (45)/ Boise State (47)

4       Texas (14)

13   Colgate (53)

6       Purdue (22)

11   North Carolina (43)

3       West Virginia (9)

14   Liberty (58)

7       Arkansas (28)

10   Louisville (37)

2       Alabama (6)

15   Vermont (61)

Bracketology - 2/15/21

 I apologize to my 30-40 or so viewers who never saw my final bracketology. My heart broke with the end of last year, and I don't think I'll ever fully get over losing March Madness. But it has made me even more appreciative of this year's season, and even with everything going on we're thankfully on track to play a tournament this season. It'll look different, but any March Madness is better than none.

For this season, the Cinderella darling has been Drake, who are 20-2 and are a lot of fun to watch. Yet they currently are in as a 10 seed, as their SOS is, for lack of a better term, poor. That's what made yesterday's win over Loyola so huge. It was a Q1 win in a conference where they are not abundant, and gives them breathing room on the bubble.

For the brackets themselves, currently the Regions are named the very imaginative names of Region 1, 2, 3, and 4. I expect better names within the next month, but the point is due to the tournament being entirely in Indiana, there are no geographic regions, meaning that geography is no longer a consideration for seeding the teams.

With all that said, here is the first bracketology of 2021:

Region 1

1 Gonzaga (1)

16 North Dakota State (67)/North Carolina A&T (68)

8 Arkansas (32)

9 Xavier (33)

5 USC (17)

12 Western Kentucky (50)

4 Iowa (13)

13 Winthrop (54)

6 Purdue (23)

11 North Carolina (41)

3 Oklahoma (10)

14 Abilene Christian (57)

7 LSU (25)

10 Seton Hall (40)

2 Houston (8)

15 Grand Canyon (59)

Region 2

1 Baylor (2)

16 Bryant (65)/Prairie View A&M (66)

8 Loyola (Chicago) (31)

9 Minnesota (35)

5 Wisconsin (19)

12 Colorado State (47)/Stanford (48)

4 Texas Tech (15)

13 Toledo (52)

6 Creighton (24)

11 Maryland (43)

3 Tennessee (12)

14 Wright State (55)

7 Clemson (26)

10 UCLA (39)

2 Illinois (5)

15 James Madison (62)

Region 3

1 Michigan (3)

16 Texas State (64)

8 BYU (30)

9 Louisville (34)

5 Kansas (18)

12 Belmont (49)

4 Missouri (16)

13 UC-Santa Barbara (51)

6 Virginia Tech (22)

11 Indiana (44)

3 West Virginia (11)

14 UNC-Greensboro (54)

7 Colorado (28)

10 St.  Bonaventure (37)

2 Villanova (7)

15 Siena (60)

Region 4

1 Ohio State (4)

16 Eastern Washington (63)

8 Florida (29)

9 San Diego State (36)

5 Florida State (20)

12 Boise State (45)/Oregon (46)

4 Texas (14)

13 Colgate (53)

6 Rutgers (21)

11 VCU (42)

3 Virginia (9)

14 Liberty (58)

7 Oklahoma State (27)

10 Drake (38)

2 Alabama (6)

15 UMBC (61)