Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: Takeaways from the NCAA Tournament top 16

By Lukas Harkins

Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; A view of a March Madness logo on a basketball during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; A view of a March Madness logo on a basketball during practice the day before the semifinals of the South regional of the NCAA Tournament at KFC YUM!. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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February 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) moves the ball up court against the Loyola Marymount Lions during the first half at Gersten Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
February 9, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) moves the ball up court against the Loyola Marymount Lions during the first half at Gersten Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Gonzaga as the fourth one seed

This was by no means a major surprise, but it did show how much the committee is taking into account strength of schedule. After not putting in Wisconsin, Gonzaga making it as the last one seed makes sense. With an undefeated record, the Bulldogs were a guaranteed one seed, although we were not sure where they would be ranked on that line.

Related Story: Nigel Williams-Goss carries Bulldogs to win in Provo

Given the fact that they were the last one seed, that likely means that just one loss on Gonzaga’s resume would mean them dropping down at least one seed line, depending on who that loss is too.

Unlike other years in the past, Gonzaga does have a decent amount of quality wins, as they can tout a 7-0 record against the RPI top-50. Included in this number are neutral site wins over both Florida and Arizona, who are also in the top 16.

Gonzaga is a very strong team and well-deserving of a one seed, but how long they will stay on the line will be dictated based on how they finish out the season. The Bulldogs are by far and away the best mid-major in the country, and their place as one seed could impact the committee’s feeling on mid-majors in general, especially when considering the bubble a month from now.

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