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Bracketology 2019: Wisconsin falls, Florida rises in the projected field

By Lukas Harkins

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: Florida Gator fans cheer during a NCAA basketball game against the Gardner-Webb Runnin Bulldogs at the Stephen C. O' Connell Center on November 13, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: Florida Gator fans cheer during a NCAA basketball game against the Gardner-Webb Runnin Bulldogs at the Stephen C. O' Connell Center on November 13, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 2: Head Coach Richard Pitino of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shouts. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – DECEMBER 2: Head Coach Richard Pitino of the Minnesota Golden Gophers shouts. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Midwest Region

(1) Michigan vs. (16) Norfolk State/Rider

(8) St. John’s vs. (9) Arizona State

(4) Kentucky vs. (13) Loyola-Chicago

(5) Oklahoma vs. (12) Wofford

(6) Nebraska vs. (11) Texas/Butler

(3) Virginia Tech vs. (14) College of Charleston

(7) TCU vs. (10) Minnesota

(2) Nevada vs. (15) Vermont

St. John’s is on the rise. Even though the Red Storm lost their Big East opener on the road against Seton Hall, the team dominated that game for 35 minutes before blowing a lead down the stretch and then falling on a more than controversial final four seconds. Shamorie Ponds and Mustapha Heron make up one of the best backcourts in the nation and St. John’s has merged as possibly the best team in the Big Ten.

Additionally, as I have stated throughout the last couple of weeks, Nevada is a very threatening No. 2 seed. Thanks to arguably the most high-powered offense in the nation, the Wolf Pack have the potential to run through the Mountain West completely undefeated. If this occurs, Nevada will have proved that they have no trouble taking care of quality opponents (I think the MWC is underrated) and they will then enter as one of the national title favorites.

Minnesota is another team that, in my opinion, has flown a bit under the radar. And while the Golden Gophers certainly made headlines during this past week by winning on the road against Wisconsin, this is a talented team that should not be overlooked. Jordan Murphy and Amir Coffey lead the way for this team that can be dangerous in conference play. The Big Ten is arguably the best conference in America and Minnesota should compete for a bid.

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