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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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 11: Aztecs control. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /

West Region (Los Angeles)

(1) San Diego State vs. (16) South Dakota State

(8) Marquette vs. (9) Houston

(4) Oregon vs. (13) Louisiana Tech

(5) Ohio State vs. (12) Yale

(6) Michigan vs. (11) USC/NC State

(3) Auburn vs. (14) William & Mary

(7) Rutgers vs. (10) Texas Tech

(2) Gonzaga vs. (15) UC Irvine

The battle for the No. 1 seed out west right now is very difficult to figure out. While it is reasonable to assume that Gonzaga vs. San Diego State will come to an easy resolution eventually, we are yet to hit that point as both squads can make legitimate arguments for the No. 1 line. From a pure resume standpoint, I am currently siding with San Diego State.

This is mostly due to the fact that Gonzaga’s wins over Washington, Arizona, and North Carolina are all aging very poorly while Oregon/Michigan have also dipped a bit. SDSU, on the other hand, is enjoying the emergence of BYU while Creighton and Iowa both remain tournament-caliber teams.

Based on team sheets, San Diego State holds slight advantages in all resume-based metrics (NET, KPI, SOR) while being behind Gonzaga in predictive metrics (BPI, KP, SAG). That is pretty much a wash to this point. In terms of quadrant records, though, SDSU has six Q1+2 wins while Gonzaga only has four. Additionally, it is important to note that one team is undefeated while the other has already suffered a loss.

This battle for the No. 1 spot is very very close and the two teams could be swapped at any moment.

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