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Bracketology 2020: Louisville, Ohio State headline early projected field

By Lukas Harkins

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Chris Holtmann looks on during the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Value City Arena on November 13, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Villanova 76-51. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Chris Holtmann looks on during the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Value City Arena on November 13, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Villanova 76-51. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 13: Buckeyes’ players celebrate. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 13: Buckeyes’ players celebrate. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

East Region

(1) Ohio State vs. (16) St. Francis-PA/Southern Utah

(8) Washington vs. (9) Texas

(4) Baylor vs. (13) New Mexico State

(5) Dayton vs. (12) Liberty

(6) Butler vs. (11) Iowa/LSU

(3) Michigan State vs. (14) UC Irvine

(7) Memphis vs. (10) Mississippi State

(2) Duke vs. (15) Charleston

Ohio State was widely projected as a top-25 team in the country heading into this season but many experts were concerned about their youth. Well, through the first few weeks of the season, the Buckeyes have answered all of those questions while playing with poise beyond their years. Head coach Chris Holtmann has this inexperienced squad looking like a group of multi-year veterans while soaring into the national spotlight. Ohio State’s defense is absolutely tremendous and they hold a pair of wins over Cincinnati and Villanova early to warrant this No. 1 seed. They are, though, yet to leave the comforts of home.

Moving forward, Dayton has already exceeded even my high expectations for the team (2nd in the A10 – NCAAT team) this season. With Obi Toppin and Jalen Crutcher leading the way, the Flyers opened the eyes of many during this past week while taking Kansas to overtime in the championship game of the Maui Invitational. Their offense is clearly one of the best nationally and slotting them on the No. 5 seed-line right now might still be underrating their potential.

Butler, though, has perhaps been the most undervalued team in the country this offseason, at least with regard to their play through three weeks compared to preseason expectations. Behind senior leaders such as Kamar Baldwin and a perfect transfer addition in Bryce Nze, the Dawgs sit at 7-0 in this young season. They are also fresh off taking down Missouri and Stanford to win the Hall of Fame Classic. Head coach LaVall Jordan’s team was picked to finish eighth in the Big East this season – it seems as though they will vastly exceed that projection.

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