Bracketology 2020: Indiana, Syracuse and Villanova among big winners

With some intriguing non-conference matchups in January on the non-conference slate, which teams have benefitted the most in Bracketology?

While most teams are currently in the middle of league play, this weekend’s slate was highlighted by the Big 12/SEC Challenge. There were a few notable matchups but all of them represented either a major opportunity of a risk when it comes to respected Bracketology.

Baylor beating Florida was a missed opportunity at home for the Gators, while Tennessee kept it close but couldn’t get back on the bubble with a major upset over the Kansas Jayhawks. Teams such as West Virginia and Auburn took care of business and avoided a bad loss, while Arkansas, Alabama and Oklahoma got solid wins for their resumes. The most consequential outcome may have been Kentucky’s win at Texas Tech, the challenge’s only battle of ranked foes.

The Big 12/SEC Challenge wasn’t the only notable storyline this weekend. Bubble teams all over the place either moved up or down depending on the results. Those on the bubble everywhere celebrated with Liberty taking a pair of conference defeats this week, essentially eliminating them as a viable at-large contender and with have to win the ASUN Tournament to go dancing.

There were teams who did well this past week, including Tulsa doubling up Memphis to move into first place in the AAC. Utah swept both Washington schools in the Pac-12 at home this week but both of these teams still have plenty of work to get back onto the bubble. There were others who also got some wins, although I considered them to be more consequential at the moment.
Here are my five biggest Bracketology winners of the week.