Busting Brackets
Fansided

Bracketology Projected Field: Kentucky on the top line, Villanova falling

By Lukas Harkins

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 16: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team against Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena on February 16, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 16: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team against Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena on February 16, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – DECEMBER 09: Jenkins #0 of the VCU Rams shoots. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – DECEMBER 09: Jenkins #0 of the VCU Rams shoots. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Midwest Region

(1) Kentucky vs. (16) Bucknell

(8) Baylor vs. (9) St. John’s

(4) Maryland vs. (13) Yale

(5) Florida State vs. (12) Utah State/Alabama

(6) Virginia Tech vs. (11) UCF

(3) Texas Tech vs. (14) South Dakota State

(7) Cincinnati vs. (10) VCU

(2) Michigan State vs. (15) Loyola-Chicago.

Team to watch: VCU Rams

While Buffalo and Wofford have rightfully received their fair share of attention as mid-major contenders for at-large bids, VCU needs more credit for its play as of late. With a 21-6 (12-2 A10) record, the Rams are more than deserving of consideration for an at-large bid and they also are currently riding an eight-game winning streak. Head coach Mike Rhoades has instilled a tremendous system and has players have completely bought into staying engaged on that end of the floor. With four regular-season games remaining, VCU holds the fourth-best adjusted defensive efficiency rating and that is very difficult to argue with. They defend the three, block shots in the paint, and force a lot of turnovers. The Rams are a bit too opportunistic on the defensive end at times but it would be a mistake to think scoring on them will ever be easy.

Home/Bracketology