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Bracketology: Updated projected field for the 2018 NCAA Tournament (Week 15)

By Lukas Harkins

CINCINNATI, OH - FEBRUARY 03: Members of the Xavier Musketeers celebrate after a four point play to tie the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Cintas Center on February 3, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - FEBRUARY 03: Members of the Xavier Musketeers celebrate after a four point play to tie the game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Cintas Center on February 3, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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NORMAN, OK – FEBRUARY 05: James
NORMAN, OK – FEBRUARY 05: James /

Midwest Region

(1) Xavier vs. (16) Penn

(8) Nevada vs. (9) Michigan

(4) Oklahoma vs. (13) Buffalo

(5) Gonzaga vs. (12) New Mexico State

(6) Wichita State vs. (11) Providence

(3) Clemson vs. (14) Montana

(7) TCU vs. (10) Virginia Tech

(2) Auburn vs. (15) Wagner

Trending up: Xavier

St. John’s got a ton of credit for their remarkable week recently but Xavier flew somewhat under the radar. In the past seven days, the Musketeers played in two hostile environments against high-quality opponents. If Xavier wasn’t deserving of a No. 1 seed before knocking off Butler and Creighton on the road, they certainly are now.

Trevon Bluiett is arguably the best player in the nation in crunch time and Xavier just consistently finds ways to win. Even if they are trailing down the stretch, Chris Mack’s team remains calm and its big shots. Their steady combination of offense and defense yields a national title contender.

Trending down: Oklahoma

It seems as though the nation has figured out the Sooners. Trae Young and Co. mesmerized the country for all of the non-conference schedule and some of Big 12 play. However, the team has lost six of their last eight games and are dropping fast. In addition, Oklahoma still has road games against Texas Tech and Kansas left on their schedule.

With an even 6-6 record at this point in conference play, it will be difficult for OU to finish above-.500 in Big 12 play this season. The team is in no danger of missing the Big Dance (yet), but their ceiling has been lowered based off of recent play.

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