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Bracketology: Ranking the Bracket Preview teams – Duke, Gonzaga ahead

By Lukas Harkins

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 09: Cam Reddish #2, RJ Barrett #5 and Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils hug in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 09: Cam Reddish #2, RJ Barrett #5 and Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils hug in the second half during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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RENO, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 02: Caroline of the Wolf Pack raises a hand. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 02: Caroline of the Wolf Pack raises a hand. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /

12. Houston Cougars

Committee Ranking: No. 3 seed (No. 11 overall)

The runner-ups to the national title a year ago (Michigan) needed a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to defeat this team a year ago and Houston is back for more this time. Rob Gray may no longer be on the roster but the Cougars are a national title contender and it would be a mistake to ignore that. Head coach Kevin Sampson has put together one of the best defensive units in the nation and they will be difficult to score on when the postseason begins.

With Corey Davis and Armoni Brooks leading the way offensively, Houston has the scoring stars that can take over down the stretch of games and their defense will keep them in any game. The Cougars likely won’t move up the seed list in the next month but they will still be a fairly dangerous No. 3 seed.

11. Nevada Wolf Pack

Committee Ranking: No. 4 seed (No. 14 overall)

Nevada has played tremendous basketball throughout almost this entire season. And while their lone loss was disastrously bad (at New Mexico by 27 points), this should be seen as just a blip on the radar. The Wolf Pack have absolutely rolled through conference play since that loss and made a statement in their most recent performance, a 29-point home victory over that same New Mexico team they lost to early in the year.

Nevada is clearly the most experienced team in the Bracket Preview’s top-16 and that should help carry them through the NCAA Tournament. This team knows what it takes to win in March and their defense has made significant strides over the past few weeks. Nevada’s strength of schedule will hurt their seeding next month but they should still be in the top-16 with the potential for a deep run.

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