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Bracketology: Updated projected field as conference tournaments begin

By Lukas Harkins

LAWRENCE, KS - FEBRUARY 26: Graham
LAWRENCE, KS - FEBRUARY 26: Graham /
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DES MOINES, IA – MARCH 19: A general view of the bench prior to the game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Kentucky Wildcats during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 19, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IA – MARCH 19: A general view of the bench prior to the game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Kentucky Wildcats during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 19, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

West Region

(1) Xavier vs. (16) Wagner

(8) Virginia Tech vs. (9) Alabama

(4) West Virginia vs. (13) Murray State

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

(6) TCU vs. (11) St. Bonaventure

(3) Tennessee vs. (14) College of Charleston

(7) Oklahoma vs. (10) Middle Tennessee

(2) North Carolina vs. (15) Pennsylvania

Underdog to watch: Murray State Racers

Led by senior Jonathan Stark, Murray State has taken over the conference lead in the Ohio Valley Conference. Even though Belmont has held down the presumed automatic bid for the last several weeks, the Racers have been on a tear lately. The team has won 11 consecutive games in conference play and is entering the OVC Tournament as the top seed.

Murray State is second in the conference in both points scored per game (to Belmont) and points scored against (to Jacksonville State). The overall balance of the Racers makes them a dangerous team in the postseason. They can match up with anybody in the nation but will have some tough tests in the OVC Tournament, especially if they have to face Belmont.

Next: Ranking all 32 conference tournaments

First Four Out: Baylor, Utah, UCLA, Marquette

Next Four Out: Temple, Syracuse, Boise State, Nebraska

That concludes this edition of Bracketology. With the season seriously heating up, stay tuned for a release of another projected bracket on Friday. For any questions on this field or Bracketology in general, you can find me on Twitter here: @hardwiredsports.

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