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Bracketology 2021: Gonzaga, Virginia Tech among week’s biggest winners

By Donovan Darlington

Jan 30, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Ryan Woolridge (4) guard Joel Ayayi (11) forward Corey Kispert (53) and forward Drew Timme (2) during the game against the Santa Clara Broncos at Leavey Center. Mandatory Credit: Cody Glenn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Ryan Woolridge (4) guard Joel Ayayi (11) forward Corey Kispert (53) and forward Drew Timme (2) during the game against the Santa Clara Broncos at Leavey Center. Mandatory Credit: Cody Glenn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bracketology
Bracketology Bob Huggins West Virginia Mountaineers (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /

West Virginia Mountaineers

Coming into the season, Many labeled West Virginia as a team that would finish in the middle of the pack in the Big 12. Considering how competitive the Big 12 normally is, this would most likely place them in the perfect position to earn at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament if they pick up a few key wins. Well, only one week of the season is gone and the Mountaineers are already trending up in bracketology.

One of the beautiful things about NCAA Basketball is that a strong performance right off the bat in an early-season tournament can help boost a team’s NCAA tournament resume. West Virginia did just that by being crowned the champion of the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic.

The field was by no means loaded with National Title contenders, but it was full of teams that will be in the NCAA Tournament conversation when March rolls around. Most of these teams were strong mid-major squads, and despite the challenges they gave the Mountaineers early on, they were able to prevail.

Bob Huggins’ squad picked up a first-round victory over South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits are one of the Summit League favorites. That victory was followed by a win over VCU and a win over Western Kentucky in the tournament championship. Solid play by Sophomore guard Miles McBride and Junior forward Derek Culver provided much of the firepower that made this tournament victory possible.

Considering where they want to be this season, winning the Crossover Classic was the perfect start to their season and makes them one of the biggest bracketology winners of week one.

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