Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: The projected field headed into conference tournament season

By Lukas Harkins

Feb 16, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores forward Luke Kornet (3) and teammate Commodores guard Riley LaChance (13) react after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Vanderbilt won 72-67. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores forward Luke Kornet (3) and teammate Commodores guard Riley LaChance (13) react after defeating the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Vanderbilt won 72-67. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; Northwestern Wildcats and the Indiana Hoosiers huddle up as a team at Assembly Hall. Indiana defeated Northwestern 63-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Bloomington, IN, USA; Northwestern Wildcats and the Indiana Hoosiers huddle up as a team at Assembly Hall. Indiana defeated Northwestern 63-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Bids by Conference

ACC: 8

Although three of the first eight teams out of the projected field are from the ACC, it seems like Syracuse is the only one that might get back into the tournament. With that, it is starting to look like eight or nine bids will be the most they get, even if it is still possible to get as many as 11. The ACC tournament will play a huge part in how many teams get in, but that is basically stating the obvious.

Big Ten: 7

Wisconsin has now lost four games in five tries, while Minnesota has moved into position as the second-highest seed out of the Big Ten. This is definitely a down season for the conference, but it seems like the seven currently in the tournament are getting close to locks. With Michigan State’s win over Wisconsin, they moved to a nine seed where they joined their in-state counterpart Michigan. There are no double-digit seeds from the conference right now, which puts them in good shape.

Big 12: 5

This is definitely the smallest number of bids the conference has received in the projected field this season, but they still have two teams in the “First Four Out.” TCU and Kansas State will have plenty of opportunities to get back into the field, even though they are on the outside-looking-in right now. With Kansas and Baylor holding down two of the top eight spots in the field, the Big 12 will be well-represented on Selection Sunday in a couple of weeks.

Big East: 7

Due to the fact that the bubble teams in the Big East are likely to beat up on each other in the conference tournament, it is unlikely that the conference actually gets seven teams in the tournament. Yet, for the time being that is where they stand. When Providence defeated Marquette on Saturday, the Friars jumped the Golden Eagles on the seed list, even if both are on the 11 line. They are very much on the bubble, and it is important that they finish their seasons strong to stay in the field.

Pac-12: 5

As I mentioned in the bubble section and during last Monday’s update, USC is trending downwards. They have lost four straights, including one disastrous outing against Arizona State. With UCLA defeating Arizona, the conference now has two teams sitting on the three line in addition to Oregon by themselves as a two seed. The conference is very top-heavy, and it will be interesting to see how the committee rates the Pac-12.

SEC: 5

With Vanderbilt rising into the tournament field, it is highly possible that the SEC ends up with five teams in the tournament. The problem with the conference, however, is that with Vandy and Arkansas so close to the cutline, that number could drop to just three if those two finish poorly. Watching the SEC bubble will be a great storyline for the rest of the year.

Atlantic 10: 3

With Rhode Island taking the last spot in my projected bracket, the A-10 joins the group of teams with three or more bids. VCU and Dayton are basically locks, but Rhode Island might not be able to afford another loss this season. It would really help if they could come up with one more huge win, either over VCU or Dayton, to bolster the resume.

Other multi-bid leagues (each with two): WCC, AAC, MVC

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This should be another great week of action before conference tournaments get started, and we’ll be back on Friday for another update. For questions or comments, tweet at @hardwiredsports (that’s me!).

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