Bracketology Projected Field: Ohio State, Butler among midweek risers

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 05: Sean McDermott #22, Jordan Tucker #1 and Bryce Nze #10 of the Butler Bulldogs celebrate after their win over the Villanova Wildcats at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 05, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 79-76. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – FEBRUARY 01: Ohio State Buckeyes talk. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

The Top 16 early bracket preview reveal is quickly approaching this weekend. How is our current bracketology projected field shaping up?

With the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee meeting in Indianapolis this week in preparation of releasing its current Top 16, this might be the most important in-season week of the season as it pertains to bracketology. The reveal on Feb. 8th likely will not mean anything a month later when the official field of 68 is unveiled, but it will shed light onto how the committee views different types of resumes this season.

For example, will they lean in favor or teams with great winning percentages (Auburn) or those with excellent efficiency metrics (Michigan State) or those who simply have a bunch of quality wins (Villanova)? We will soon find out which teams would land on the Top 4 seed lines if the NCAA Tournament started this weekend and it will be interesting regardless of who is included.

As a brief overview, though, here is my little primer on the Bracket Preview that will occur at 12:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 8th on CBS. Here are the teams that I believe will be under consideration for the Top 16:

Locks: Baylor, Kansas, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Duke, Louisville, Dayton, West Virginia, Florida State, Maryland, Seton Hall.

Should be in: Butler, Villanova, Oregon, Auburn.

Could be in: Michigan State, Penn State, Creighton, Arizona, Colorado.

Of these teams, Butler was the one that definitely helped itself most while the committee has been deliberating. This is due to the fact that the Dawgs, who currently hold the second-most Q1 wins in the country, defended their home court earlier this week in a thrilling buzzer-beating fashion against Villanova. It might also be worth mentioning that several members of the committee were in Hinkle Fieldhouse to witness Kamar Baldwin’s heroics as they have been meeting in Indy all week to deliberate.

Now, though, without any further discussion of just the Top 16, let’s dive into my complete updated bracketology projected field of 68. There were plenty of movers since my update a few days ago with perhaps Ohio State and Xavier among the biggest.

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