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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Nov 21, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Bucknell Bison teammates celebrate after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores 75-72 during the second half at Memorial Gym. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Bucknell Bison teammates celebrate after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores 75-72 during the second half at Memorial Gym. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Teams ranked 52-49

52. Bucknell Bison

Record: 26-8 (15-3 Patriot League)

Seed: 13 in the West

Unlike many other teams similar to Bucknell, the Bison have a road top-50 victory on their resume. With the way Vanderbilt finished the season, that victory in November looks awfully good for Bucknell. The Bison are a fairly good shooting team from three (37.7 percent), and they will need to be on their game to upset West Virginia.

I’ll be honest, this is not a good match-up for Bucknell. West Virginia is extremely good at forcing turnovers and Bucknell is 274th in the country in committing turnovers. Unless the Bison are strong with the ball in the first round, things could get ugly.

51. Princeton Tigers

Record: 23-6 (14-0 Ivy)

Seed: 12 in the West

Well Princeton is riding a hot streak, and went undefeated in the Ivy League. This hot streak included winning the first-ever Ivy League tournament. The Tigers have an outstanding record, but have to face red-hot Notre Dame in the first round.

After making the ACC Tournament final, the Irish will be extremely confident and will be ready to play. Princeton plays at a slow pace, and because of that, they have committed the least amount of turnovers in the country and are a top-10 scoring defense.

50. Providence Friars

Record: 20-12 (10-8)

Seed: 11 in the East

With six wins over the RPI top-50, Providence has shown that they can beat just about anybody in the country. Their record against teams in the tournament field is 8-8, a reasonable mark. But because of their three losses to teams outside of the top-100, the Friars find themselves in the First Four, where they will take on USC.

Providence takes great pride in their defense, and they will need to ride that in every game they play. If they can keep USC under control, they will get a shot at their six seed, SMU. Rodney Bullock and Kyron Cartwright are talented players to watch in a potential upset game against the Mustangs.

49. Kansas State Wildcats

Record: 20-13 (8-10 Big 12)

Seed: 11 in the South

Another team playing in the First Four, Kansas State is going up against Wake Forest. The Wildcats have been battle tested this season (13 games against the top-50), but so have the Demon Deacons.

K-State uses a balanced offensive attack with five players each scoring between nine and 13 points per game. With a fairly solid defense, it will be Wildcats offense that will be tested throughout each of their tournament games, whether that be one or more.

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