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Bracketology 2020: Gonzaga, Maryland and Purdue among biggest winners

By Tristan Freeman

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 08: Gonzaga Bulldogs players celebrate at half court after defeating the Washington Huskies 83-76 at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on December 8, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mike Tedesco/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 08: Gonzaga Bulldogs players celebrate at half court after defeating the Washington Huskies 83-76 at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on December 8, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mike Tedesco/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 03: Head coach Pat Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 03: Head coach Pat Chambers of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Penn State Nittany Lions (18-5, 8-4 in Big Ten)

If there was one small complaint folks had from the bracket reveal, it’s that Penn State was left out. Some would’ve had them in over Michigan State, citing a better overall resume and considering that the Nittany Lions defeated them earlier this week. It was a 75-70 win on the road, the first time in ages they were able to win in East Lansing.

The winning streak extended to six games on Saturday, with Penn State winning at home against a desperate Minnesota squad, 83-77. Lamar Stevens continues to make a case for Big Ten Player of the Year, scoring 33 points in the win. More importantly, it continues to build a very impressive resume that had all but ensured the Nittany Lions a spot in the NCAA Tournament field.

With a NET ranking in the top-20 and a combined 11-4 record against Quad 1 and 2 opponents, Penn State has a strong case for a top-16 overall seed and possibly staying out east. They won the NIT title in Madison Square Garden a couple of years ago and could make a Final Four run this season there if things fall into place. They’ll have to keep winning for that to happen, with games against Purdue and Northwestern coming up.

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