Busting Brackets
Fansided

Bracketology 2021: Duke, Missouri and Xavier among week’s winners and losers

By Tristan Freeman

Nov 29, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with an official during the first half against the Richmond Spiders at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with an official during the first half against the Richmond Spiders at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Bracketology
Bracketology Xavier Musketeers (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Winner – Xavier Musketeers

While a number of teams have played just one of two games so far this season, the Musketeers were one of the few to have already played seven. The first five games weren’t against anyone notable and a couple of them were one-possession near upsets. However, the two this past week (Oklahoma and Cincinnati) were notable and potential resume-builders.

Xavier was able to get both victories, including one over their Crosstown rival Bearcats. That completes their non-conference campaign with a 7-0 record and now has a major advantage over many potential “bubble” teams whenever resumes start to get compared. A big part of this season is being lucky and so far the Musketeers have been very… to their benefit.

Loser – Memphis Tigers

The Tigers have also played seven games so far this season, with a different result. After going 1-2 in the Crossover Classic, they beat Arkansas State and Mississippi Valley State before falling to Auburn this weekend. The Tigers have looked competitive without five-star guard Sharife Cooper but still could end up in the bottom-4 of the SEC this season.

That leaves Memphis ending the non-conference schedule with just a win over Saint Mary’s and three losses to teams that may not end up as at-large players come March. Right now, outside of the Houston Cougars, there isn’t anyone in the American Athletic Conference that can feel good about their own at-large chances.

Home/Bracketology