Busting Bracketology 2.0: ACC and Big 12 in command
By Doug Winkey
9 Seeds: Gonzaga, Florida, Wichita State, Creighton
Gonzaga hasn’t shined the way some might have expected before the year began, but the Bulldogs still look like the favorite to win the West Coast Conference yet again. They are currently 12-2, one game up on Saint Mary’s. They lost their most recent game against nonconference SMU to finish a four game road trip. If Gonzaga doesn’t win the WCC’s automatic bid, they will need to beat Saint Mary’s at home and BYU in Ogden to secure their future.
Related Story: Duke is gearing up for March
Wichita State has very little room for error. After starting Missouri Valley play 11-0, the Shockers have stumbled to 12-2 after their last three MVC games. The regular season finale against second place Illinois State could decide who has the greater momentum going into tournament week. The race for the conference’s automatic bid is wide open if WSU can’t lock it down in their final four games.
Florida is still likely to receive at at-large bid, despite going just 3-2 in their past five games. They are tied with South Carolina and Texas A&M for third in the SEC with five games left. I’m not worried about the Gators making the Big Dance, but if the win at South Carolina, at LSU, or home against Kentucky, it will only help the team. Florida also has the benefit of the ninth hardest schedule in America this year.
You’re all going to think I’m crazy for including Creighton, but hear me out. The Bluejays’ resume is not particularly good, only 4-9 against the top 100 in RPI, but they recently upset Xavier and sit fourth in the Big East. With several mid-major schools on shaky ground, Creighton could finish strong to sneak in behind Villanova and the Muskateers. Nothing Creighton does is super impressive, but they have a relatively favorable schedule left. If the team can win at Providence and pull the upset sweet over Xavier, they are a solid bet to make the Big Dance.
Next: The Exciting 8s