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Bracketology 2020 Projected Field: Ohio State dominates, Texas Tech falls

By Lukas Harkins

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: D.J. Carton #3 and the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after a play in the game against the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons during the second half at Value City Arena on November 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: D.J. Carton #3 and the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after a play in the game against the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons during the second half at Value City Arena on November 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – DECEMBER 04: Cowan Jr. of the Terrapins dribbles. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – DECEMBER 04: Cowan Jr. of the Terrapins dribbles. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

East Region

(1) Maryland vs. (16) Eastern Washington

(8) Xavier vs. (9) Arkansas

(4) North Carolina vs. (13) Belmont

(5) Seton Hall vs. (12) Toledo

(6) West Virginia vs. (11) Temple

(3) Arizona vs. (14) Wright State

(7) Indiana vs. (10) Washington

(2) Duke vs. (15) South Alabama

While many highly-regarded preseason teams have struggled out of the gates this season, Maryland has essentially lived up to expectations. With Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith leading the way to go with a superb supporting cast, this might be the year for a deep run from the Terrapins. Their offense is operating at an exceptionally high level right now as they have won four straight games over KenPom top-100 teams with three more coming next. Terps have impressed so far.

Sticking with the unbeatens in this region, West Virginia and Indiana have surprised in their own respective ways. For the Mountaineers, they have surprisingly flown under-the-radar this season. While they might not boast any true signature wins, the team already has five wins over KenPom top-100 teams. With so many top-rated teams dropping games early this season, West Virginia deserves credit for consistently taking care of business against a relatively high level of competition.

Indiana also warrants attention as an unbeaten but I am not yet sold on the team. The Hoosiers sit at 9-0 with an impressive victory over Florida State, but they are yet to leave the friendly confines of Assembly Hall. Their strength of schedule also sits at just 338th in the country. We will have to wait to find out just how good this team is until they play a true road game against a quality team. For the time being, though, it feels like the “Archie Miller in Year 3” factor is kicking in.

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