Bracketology: Ranking the Bracket Preview teams

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

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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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 05: Kentucky Wildcats celebrate. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

6. Michigan Wolverines

Committee Ranking: No. 2 seed (No. 6 overall)

Michigan has dropped a couple of games recently but they still belong near the top of the national title contenders. They own one of the most dominant defenses in the country and their offense also features a few players that are very difficult to match up with. They might not be the favorites to win the Big Ten anymore due to a tough remaining schedule but they are still the top title contender from the conference, in my opinion. This team clearly has what it takes to make a deep run.

Oh, and I don’t want to be the writer who says to bet against John Beilein. Michigan seems to always hit another gear once March begins and it is safe to assume that they will do the same this year. The Wolverines have lost in the national championship game twice in the past six years. Will this be the year that they finally cut down the nets?

5. Kentucky Wildcats

Committee Ranking: No. 2 seed (No. 5 overall)

One of the hottest teams in the nation, Kentucky has won 10 consecutive games and now stands at 9-1 in SEC play (also a non-conference win over Kansas during this stretch). The ‘Cats, who gave up 118 points in their season-opening loss to Duke this year, are now ranked in the top-10 of adjusted defensive efficiency and they are rolling through opponents on the offensive end as well. BBN has to be happy with how their team is playing as of late and it is hard to disagree with the idea that they have quickly asserted themselves as a strong title contender in recent weeks.

Kentucky will likely be favored in all but one remaining regular-season game this season (at Tennessee) and they should compete for the SEC title. The Wildcats are more experienced than they have been in some recent years and that could result in a deep run. Head coach John Calipari’s team is developing at a ridiculous rate and they could easily land a No. 1 seed in a month.

Kentucky and reaching the Final Four have been a three-year hiatus; could that change this year?

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