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Bracketology 2020 Projected Field: Gonzaga surges, Kentucky tumbles

By Lukas Harkins

TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs talks with teammate Joel Ayayi #11 during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Corey Kispert #24 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs talks with teammate Joel Ayayi #11 during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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TUCSON, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Gonzaga Bulldogs high five. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: Gonzaga Bulldogs high five. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

West Region

(1) Gonzaga vs. (16) UNC-Asheville/St. Francis-PA

(8) Creighton vs. (9) VCU

(4) Penn State vs. (13) Akron

(5) Florida State vs. (12) Yale

(6) Oklahoma State vs. (11) Richmond/Xavier

(3) San Diego State vs. (14) Georgia State

(7) Indiana vs. (10) DePaul

(2) Oregon vs. (15) Rider

Gonzaga asserted itself as the clear favorite to land the No. 1 seed for the West Region during the past couple of weeks by securing true road wins over Arizona and Washington. Considering that the Bulldogs have also already beaten Oregon so far this season, it is very obvious that they are deserving of the No. 1 seed this week and likely for the foreseeable future. In my opinion, Gonzaga is easily the team with the best odds of landing a top seed in the Big Dance in a few months and that is a testament to their level of play on both ends of the floor rather than a comment on their schedule. The Bulldogs are really, really good. Again.

Speaking of top teams out west, though, Oregon also continues to impress this season. Even though the Ducks already have two losses (one of them to Gonzaga), they are playing like a potential national title contender. Star point guard Payton Pritchard is playing like a NPOY frontrunner while N’Faly Dante has already flashed his abilities as a big-time addition to the frontcourt now that he is eligible. Oregon will have a difficult time passing Gonzaga for the No. 1 seed in this region but it is also a top-10 team nationally. I love both the Ducks and the Bulldogs this season as major national threats.

Arguably the biggest breakout team from this region, though, is Penn State. The Nittany Lions entered this season with hopes of potentially receiving an NCAA Tournament bid but that discussion has turned towards wondering if they can be a second-weekend squad. Penn State sits at 9-2 on the year and has already secured six wins over the KenPom top-50. Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins make up one of the most dangerous senior duos in the country with their efforts on both ends of the floor.

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