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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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DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 19: Baker of Duke reacts. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 19: Baker of Duke reacts. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

South Region

(1) Duke vs. (16) Colgate

(8) Purdue vs. (9) Georgetown

(4) Memphis vs. (13) Vermont

(5) Iowa vs. (12) East Tennessee State

(6) Villanova vs. (11) Florida

(3) Maryland vs. (14) UC-Irvine

(7) Stanford vs. (10) BYU

(2) Baylor vs. (15) Eastern Washington

Duke still has a major blip on its resume with that home loss to Stephen F. Austin but has otherwise looked like one of the best teams in the country. The Blue Devils have risen back to the No. 1 spot in KenPom in recent weeks during their current four-game winning streak. Coach K’s squad features far more shooting than it did a season ago and the balance is noteworthy as well. This team might not boast as much national starpower as last season, but is more well-rounded and capable of competing for the title, in my opinion.

Sticking with potential title contenders, Baylor is looking the part so far this season. With a perimeter-centric offense and a defense anchored by Freddie Gillespie, this is one of the most talented two-way squads in the nation. The Bears sit at 9-1 on the year and their trio of wins over Villanova, Arizona, and Butler is arguably the best nationally. Scott Drew should be among the early favorites for National Coach of the Year.

Rounding out the teams worth discussing in this region right now, Iowa has been eye-opening of late. Luka Garza continues to look like a NPOY contender and the Hawkeyes’ young backcourt pieces are all thriving, which makes losing Jordan Bohannon for the rest of the season sting a bit less than it otherwise would have. Iowa has looked great in its last two games (double-digit wins over Minnesota and Iowa State) and it is yet to suffer a bad loss so far this season. The Big Ten is loaded this year and Iowa’s ridiculously high-powered offense will win a lot of games.

Next. Week 7 National Power Rankings. dark

That concludes this week’s edition of the bracketology projected field. Was your favorite team able to secure a bid? If not, there is still plenty of time left to make a run as it is still only December. Check back again next week for another field.

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