Busting Brackets
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 09: Turner of the Volunteers shoots. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 09: Turner of the Volunteers shoots. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4. Virginia Cavaliers

Committee Ranking: No. 1 seed (No. 3 overall)

Virginia, despite getting swept by Duke this season, still deserves to be very close to the top of the list of title contenders. As per usual, the Cavaliers are one of the best defensive teams in the nation but their offense is also highly efficient. Come March, it is reasonable to think that UVa will be hungry to eviscerate every opponent they face in order to put their current reputation as an “underachiever” to rest.

Even with a very difficult schedule coming up, I am a believer in the potential for Virginia to land a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and they will be ready to make a deep run. The Cavaliers only have two losses so far this season, both of which came against the No. 1 team in these rankings, and hold wins over several tournament teams. This team will be battle-tested, experienced, and extremely motivated in the Big Dance.

3. Tennessee Volunteers

Committee Ranking: No. 1 seed (No. 2 overall)

Tennessee is, without a doubt, the hottest team in the country at this point in time. They hold the best record in all of college basketball at 22-1 (10-0 SEC) and they have not lost since Nov. 23, when they fell to Kansas in overtime at a neutral site. Hard to really say that is a bad loss, especially when you consider that occurred when the Jayhawks were at full strength. The Volunteers are easily one of the top teams in the country and it would be a mistake to count them out.

In my opinion, Tennessee fits the mold of a national title contender perfectly. They are extremely experienced, have two elite stars in Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams, and have very few weaknesses on paper. Head coach Rick Barnes has his team rolling through SEC play right now and it is reasonable to think that they will land a No. 1 seed and make a deep run in the postseason. Tennessee has never reached a Final Four but this could be the year that changes.

Home/Bracketology