Bracketology 2020 Projected Field: Virginia Tech, Wisconsin on the rise

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 14: Teammates Jalen Cone #15 and Wabissa Bede #3 of the Virginia Tech Hokies react against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at LJVM Coliseum Complex on January 14, 2020 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – DECEMBER 11: Dosunmu of Illinois celebrates. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

South Region (Houston)

(1) Baylor vs. (16) Norfolk State/Prairie View A&M

(8) Memphis vs. (9) Illinois

(4) Villanova vs. (13) Vermont

(5) LSU vs. (12) Northern Iowa

(6) Stanford vs. (11) Saint Mary’s

(3) Michigan State vs. (14) Wright State

(7) Creighton vs. (10) Florida

(2) Duke vs. (15) Northern Colorado

Baylor has easily been one of the most impressive teams in the country so far this season and warrants a No. 1 seed as a result. While the Bears’ loss to Washington in the opening week of the season is not aging particularly well, their impressive collection of wins is impossible to ignore. Baylor holds a 14-1 (4-0 B12) that includes road wins over Kansas and Texas Tech, home wins over Butler and Arizona, and a neutral-site victory over Villanova. Good luck arguing with that.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Stanford also boasts an impressive record (15-2, 4-0 P12) but is yet to secure a Quadrant 1 victory. While the Cardinal have steadily risen in efficiency rankings since the beginning of the season, their lack of a Q1 win is driving down their seeding. That will hopefully change in the near future as Pac-12 play continues.

It is important to mention, though, that Stanford’s only losses to date came against teams currently on my No. 1 seed line. The Cardinal have taken care of business against every other opponent and very few teams in the country can say they’ve avoided a slip-up to this point.

Lastly, Illinois has been rolling as of late as it is on a three-game winning streak. Victories over Wisconsin, Rutgers, and Purdue are all very solid and that puts the Fighting Illini firmly in the field at the moment. Their excellent balance and dominance on the boards are starting to pay off.

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