Bracketology 2020 Projected Field: Maryland, Auburn quietly rising

AMES, IA - JANUARY 29: Freddie Gillespie #33 of the Baylor Bears dunks the ball in the second half of play against the Iowa State Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum on January 29, 2020 in Ames, Iowa. The Baylor Bears won 67-53 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: Flynn of the Aztecs dribbles. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /

West Region (Los Angeles, CA)

(1) San Diego State vs. (16) Eastern Washington

(8) Rutgers vs. (9) Texas Tech

(4) Oregon vs. (13) Stephen F. Austin

(5) LSU vs. (12) Yale

(6) Arizona vs. (11) Mississippi State/Purdue

(3) Villanova vs. (14) Bowling Green

(7) Arkansas vs. (10) Saint Mary’s

(2) Maryland vs. (15) Winthrop

Maryland appears to very quietly be rising up the seed lines. Although the Terps might not receive a ton of national media attention, they are one of the few preseason Top 15 teams that has actually lived up to those expectations. They most recently secured a home win over Iowa to move to 17-4 on the season. With nine combined Q1+2 wins, no bad losses, and metric rankings all falling inside the Top 15, it’s hard to be upset with Maryland’s resume to this point in the year. This team belongs on the No. 2-3 seed lines.

Keeping with the theme of teams on the rise, LSU has been absolutely soaring up seed lines over the past several weeks. Although the Tigers might not rank particularly well in efficiency metrics, they have won 10 consecutive games and are an undefeated 8-0 in the SEC. They have clearly flipped a switch as of late and their offense is performing at a sensationally high level, particularly inside the arc. The Tigers are worth monitoring considering they are on a lengthy winning streak while many other teams in the country have been struggling.

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