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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MORGANTOWN, WV – FEBRUARY 01: Tshiebwe of the Mountaineers reacts. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

West Region (Los Angeles, CA)

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

(8) Saint Mary’s vs. (9) Indiana

(4) Oregon vs. (13) Louisiana Tech

(5) Creighton vs. (12) East Tennessee State

(6) Iowa vs. (11) Memphis/VCU

(3) Florida State vs. (14) Colgate

(7) Rutgers vs. (10) Florida

(2) West Virginia vs. (15) Hofstra

West Virginia might only be the third-best team in the Big 12 but it is a very good squad with an excellent resume so far this season. The Mountaineers hold Top 15 rankings in every committee-used metric and are 10-4 in Q1+2 games. They could easily be slotted on the No. 3 seed line rather than the No. 2 in the Bracket Preview but this team is definitely deserving of being in strong standing at the moment. WVU dominates the paint with Culver/Tshiebwe and should remain one of the best B12 teams in the coming month.

Saint Mary’s is another team worth monitoring. The Gaels do not boast an overwhelming resume by any stretch but all of their metrics are rock-solid of landing a single-digit seed. SMC’s two Q3 losses are definitely hurting its resume but the team is 5-1 in Q2. The Gaels are a really good team that can fill it up offensively against just about anyone. Both of their regular-season matchups with Gonzaga still remain and those are great opportunities for Saint Mary’s to escape the dreaded 8/9 matchup.

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