Busting Brackets
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2017 NCAA Tournament: Ranking the entire field of 68

By Lukas Harkins

Mar 9, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) and guard Jalen Brunson (1) celebrate after Villanova Wildcats guard Donte DiVincenzo (10) scored against St. John's Red Storm during second half of Big East Conference Tournament Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden. Villanova Wildcats defeated St. John's Red Storm 108-67.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) and guard Jalen Brunson (1) celebrate after Villanova Wildcats guard Donte DiVincenzo (10) scored against St. John's Red Storm during second half of Big East Conference Tournament Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden. Villanova Wildcats defeated St. John's Red Storm 108-67.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Hill (11) reacts on the bench during the final second of the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard Jordan Hill (11) reacts on the bench during the final second of the second half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams ranked 28 to 25

28. Creighton Bluejays

Record: 25-9 (10-8 Big East)

Seed: 6 in the Midwest

Things looked bleak for Creighton after the injury to Maurice Watson Jr., but it looks like things are changing for them. The Bluejays ran all the way to the Big East Tournament championship game. They have a tough draw in Rhode Island during the first round, but they have the players to make a run.

Marcus Foster, Justin Patton, and Khyri Thomas are elite players that are difference makers come tournament time. Oregon is a very tough three seed, but it will be interesting to see how they play without Chris Boucher.

27. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Record: 20-12 (9-9 Big 12)

Seed: 10 in the Midwest

After going on a five-game winning streak late in the season, Oklahoma State has dropped their last three entering the Big Dance. Along with that, the Cowboys got a really tough draw in the Michigan Wolverines, who are as hot as any team in the entire country.

In short, Jawun Evans is an absolute stud. He is a dominant player who can do it all. He leads the 8th scoring offense in the country and they are a dangerous squad. Phil Forte can shoot the ball from ridiculous distance, and they have shooters up and down their roster.

26. Wisconsin Badgers

Record: 25-9 (12-6 Big Ten)

Seed: 8 in the East

Wisconsin is one of the best defensive teams in the country and despite their struggles towards the end of the regular season, they seemed to turn it on during the Big Ten Tournament. Although the competition wasn’t the best in the conference, they made it past Indiana and Northwestern before losing to Michigan.

The Badgers have a great amount of experience in Bronson Koenig, Nigel Hayes, Vitto Brown, and Zak Showalter. This bodes well for getting out of the first round and potentially make a run, but I don’t see them getting past Villanova.

25. Dayton Flyers

Record: 24-7 (15-3 Atlantic 10)

Seed: 7 in the South

Dayton is a very interesting team. They have beaten a lot of really good teams this season, but nobody that anyone would consider “elite.” With a ridiculously tough draw in the first round (Wichita State), that could be an amazing first round match-up.

If they avoid the “upset,” (though nobody would call it that) it seems unlikely they beat Kentucky, as their low strength of schedule has not given much indication that they can beat a top team…yet.

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