Busting Brackets
Fansided

Bracketology 2021: BYU, Utah State, and Virginia among biggest winners

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 2, 2021; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Utah State Aggies head coach Craig Smith talks with center Neemias Queta (23) in the second half against the Air Force Falcons at Clune Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2021; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Utah State Aggies head coach Craig Smith talks with center Neemias Queta (23) in the second half against the Air Force Falcons at Clune Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Bracketology
Bracketology Mac McClung Texas Tech Red Raiders (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

When it comes to Bracketology overall, we’re starting to see some teams make moves to get themselves in position for a potential at-large bid. We’re also seeing some programs struggle to get anything into motion. Blue blood teams such as Duke, North Carolina, and Kentucky all lost this week and are closer to being off the bubble than on at the moment.

That is giving many smaller-tier programs an opportunity to take their spots, with some taking advantage at the moment. Here are some of the best performers of the past week, along with other honorable mentions.

Honorable mentions

Pittsburgh Panthers

The Panthers have only played two games since December 22nd due to their own pause and other postponements. That actually turned out great for them, as they were without star forward Justin Champagnie due to a leg injury. He came back sooner than expected on Saturday against Syracuse, scoring 24 points and 16 rebounds in a 96-76 victory. Pittsburgh is now 7-2 (3-1) on the season and has quietly built a resume worthy of consideration. They can improve it even more against Duke on Tuesday.

Texas Tech Raiders

A brutal week against a pair of top-5 overall teams, the Red Raiders showed themselves well in both, beating Texas on the road before falling at home to No. 2 Baylor. The win over the Longhorns was the first road win over a top-5 team in program history. It also was a massive victory for Texas Tech’s resume in terms of getting a top-4 seed.

Ohio State Buckeyes

The offense for the Buckeyes came on in a big way this week, scoring over 80 points in wins over Northwestern and Illinois. It moved the team to 5-3 in Big Ten play and gave them another pair of Quad 1 wins for their resume. If Ohio State was anywhere near the bubble coming into this past week, these pair of wins should have them safely in.

Home/Bracketology