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Bracketology 2021: Duke, Michigan State and Houston among biggest losers

By Tristan Freeman

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the first half of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Bracketology Miami Hurricanes Isaiah Wong Duke Blue Devils Jalen Johnson Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Bracketology Miami Hurricanes Isaiah Wong Duke Blue Devils Jalen Johnson Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Duke Blue Devils (7-7, 5-5)

The Blue Devils have been the biggest ups and downs in the past month. A couple of weeks ago, they were a “loser”, after losing to Pittsburgh and Louisville. Then just last week, Duke was declared a “winner”, after big wins over Georgia Tech and Clemson.

Unfortunately, the Blue Devils are back on the wrong side of Bracketology. On Saturday, they fell to rival North Carolina, 91-87. It was a tough loss but the Tar Heels are far from a bad defeat on the resume.

The bigger issue was what happened earlier in the week for the Blue Devils. They play a Miami squad that has been decimated by injuries and departures his season and is under .500 overall. But they’re feisty and plays hard all the time and is capable of being a spoiler in ACC play.

Duke found that out, losing 77-75 in the final seconds. Three of the healthy players for the Hurricanes had at least 16 points, including 21 from Stony Brook transfer Elijah Olaniyi. Matthew Hurt had 21 points, while Wendell Moore Jr. chipped in with 18.

But even with Moore’s play getting better, the Blue Devils still aren’t winning games, now at .500 overall and with more Quad 3 losses (2) than Quad 1 wins (1). And with a NET Ranking around 70, Duke is going to have to hope that their big name will help them in the bubble.

Notre Dame and NC State are up next but a win over either won’t move the needle for the Blue Devils. But a loss would be devasting. Yet if the pattern holds up, look for them to get a couple of wins next week.

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