Busting Brackets
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Bracketology 2019: Duke, Kansas headline the projected field

By Lukas Harkins

DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 08: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils goes up for a dunk against the Yale Bulldogs in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 8, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 08: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils goes up for a dunk against the Yale Bulldogs in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 8, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – DECEMBER 03: Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers cheers. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – DECEMBER 03: Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers cheers. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

South Region

(1) Virginia vs. (16) Rider

(8) Maryland vs. (9) Kansas State

(4) Houston vs. (13) South Dakota State

(5) Indiana vs. (12) Lipscomb

(6) Louisville vs. (11) Creighton

(3) Auburn vs. (14) Vermont

(7) TCU vs. (10) Utah State

(2) Michigan State vs. (15) Radford

Virginia is a No. 1 seed. Deal with it. The Cavaliers have easily been one of the top teams in the nation so far this season and it is important to mention that they have improved on the offensive end. Sure, I’m sure you have heard that way too many times in the past but with Ty Jerome, Kyle Guy, and De’Andre Hunter leading the way, the Cavaliers have three players that can go get their own bucket when necessary. When healthy, UVa can beat anyone.

Another team that I want to spotlight at this point in the year is Utah State. The Aggies might not be the favorite to win the Mountain West (Nevada) but they have been very impressive in my eyes. Through the first month of the year, Utah State stands at 9-3 with a couple of strong wins over St. Mary’s and UC-Irvine. Most notably, Sam Merrill has been absolutely superb for the Aggies.

Additionally, Houston has emerged as the favorite to win the AAC. Head coach Kelvin Sampson has his team playing at an extremely high level and they are one of the only undefeated teams left in the nation. The Cougars deploy arguably the best defensive in the nation and the two-headed offensive monster of Corey Davis Jr. and Armoni Brooks are tough to defend.

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