NCAA Basketball: Busting Brackets Bracketology

8 Seeds: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Florida, VCU

I have no idea what SMU’s postseason ban does to the American conference’s automatic bid, but unless the NCAA lifts said ban, Cincinnati might end up being the team to watch.  They have good wins over VCU and Connecticut.  No one Bearcat stands out, but Mick Cronin’s squad is twelfth in points allowed at 62.2 per game.  Anything could really happen with this team.

Florida is trending upward and starting to finally receiver more notice after recently crushing West Virginia at home.  The Gators are fifth in the SEC and could jump up to second if they can beat Kentucky, South Carolina, and LSU before the end of regular season play.

VCU, in its first season without Shaka Smart, has remained the toast of the Atlantic-10.  They only went 8-5 in nonconference play, but has since gone 8-1 in conference play.  The biggest game remaining for the Rams is their final game at Dayton that could decide the conference title before March.

Pittsburgh is a solid bet for an at-large bid while sitting tied for fourth in ACC play.  They have good wins over Syracuse, Notre Dame, and Florida State, but 3-3 over their past six games.  They have a very efficient offense, ranking in the top-35 in both points and assists per game.

Next: 7 Seeds