NCAA Basketball: Busting Brackets Bracketology

9 Seeds: Clemson, LSU, Connecticut, Gonzaga

If Gonzaga wins either the WCC regular season or conference tournament, they will outrank Saint Mary’s.  The issue for the Zags have been on offense.  Kyle Wiltjer and Domantas Sabonis have been spectacular forwards, but guard play is subpar at best.  They need to beat a combination of Pepperdine, BUY, and nonconference SMU to secure an at-large bid.

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Despite possessing the possible first pick in the NBA draft, Ben Simmons and LSU are still not a sure lock to make the tournament.  The Tigers are sitting in second in the SEC and have no truly bad losses, but have been an up and down team through most of the year.  If LSU beats either Texas A&M or Florida yet this year, they are in, but a lower seed without a good conference tournament run.

Connecticut sits third in the American conference behind Cincinnati, Tulsa, and Temple and is more out than in at this point.  I like the Huskies because they have good wins over Michigan and Texas early this year and a better strength-of-schedule over several their conference opponents.  I particularly want to see graduate transfer Shonn Miller make the NCAA’s after a great career at Cornell.

Clemson is a dangerous team this year.  After being picked 12th in the ACC preseason poll, the Tigers have gone 6-5 against the RPI top-50 this season.  They currently sit third in conference behind North Carolina and Louisville.  It is almost a lock for Clemson to get an at-large bid right now with their hardest remaining game hosting Virginia.

Next: 8 Seeds