Bracketology 2019: Tennessee, Seton Hall rise in projected field

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 09: Jordan Bowden #23 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on December 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Volunteers defeated the Bulldogs 76-73. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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SAN DIEGO, CA – MARCH 16: Brantley #5 of the Charleston Cougars reacts. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

West Region

(1) Tennessee vs. (16) Lehigh

(8) Kansas State vs. (9) Purdue

(4) Florida State vs. (13) Loyola-Chicago

(5) Indiana vs. (12) Lipscomb

(6) Houston vs. (11) Creighton

(3) Ohio State vs. (14) College of Charleston

(7) TCU vs. (10) LSU

(2) Nevada vs. (15) Northern Kentucky

Welcome to the top line, Tennessee! Thanks to a superb 10-1 record that includes wins over Louisville, Gonzaga, and Memphis (only loss to Kansas), it is hard to argue with their placement at this point in time. Head coach Rick Barnes has turned this program around in a hurry and the Volunteers are a serious national title contender. With Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield leading the way, this is a team that everyone will have trouble matching up with.

Speaking of difficult matchups, TCU is a team that I definitely have my eye on. Now with Jaylen Fisher and Kouat Noi healthy and ready to go, the Horned Frogs should quickly shoot up the top-25 rankings once Big 12 play starts. Jamie Dixon’s team has not played a very difficult schedule to this point in the year but they have the talent to be extremely dangerous. Not many teams have the backcourt defenders needed to slow down this high-powered offense. Oh, and TCU’s defense is miles better than it was a year ago.

Lastly, it is time that the nation takes the College of Charleston seriously. Behind the elite duo of Grant Riller (22.2 points, 4.8 assists) and Jarrell Brantley (20.5 points, 8.4 rebounds), this is a mid-major that nobody will want to face in March. As my frontrunner to win the CAA, the Cougars have a ton of potential when on their game.

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