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Bracketology 2022: North Carolina, Rutgers and St. John’s among biggest losers

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 18, 2022; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Sam Waardenburg (21) attempts a three point shot over North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kerwin Walton (24) during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2022; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes forward Sam Waardenburg (21) attempts a three point shot over North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kerwin Walton (24) during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bracketology Texas A&M Aggies forward Henry Coleman III Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Bracketology Texas A&M Aggies forward Henry Coleman III Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /

We’re approaching the end of January which means “Bracketology” has never been more important in the NCAA Basketball season. Many projected fields of 68 are coming out on a daily basis, with the usual suspects in most of them.

There are some storylines that have emerged when it comes to who could be making the NCAA Tournament, including how many bids the ACC will get, as well as all of the bubble action. For this piece, I’ll be taking a look at the biggest “losers” from the past week, teams that did the least amount of favor to their respective resumes.

Here are the 10 programs that failed to accomplish what they needed to improve their Bracketology resume.

Texas A&M Aggies – 16-4 (4-2 SEC)

The Aggies have a good overall record and have surpassed preseason expectations to this point. But it’s another thing to be good enough to make the NCAA Tournament and have the resume to do so. And they’ve been lucky schedule-wise to start the SEC, not having to play anyone currently in the top-7 of the standings in the first four games.

That changed this week, facing off against Kentucky at home and Arkansas on the road, both of whom were Quad 1 opportunities. Unfortunately for Texas A&M, they weren’t able to get either of them despite having a lead over the Wildcats for a decent amount and coming back to take the Razorbacks into overtime. By a combined nine points, the Aggies fall to 2-4 against Quad 1 and 2 opponents and its best win is against Arkansas to this point.

Belmont Bruins – 14-5 (4-2 in OVC)

The Bruins are a mid-major that the metrics love, thanks to a difficult non-conference schedule and wins against some of the better smaller schools such as Saint Louis, Chattanooga, Iona, and Drake. That being said, they’re still in the Ohio Valley Conference and don’t have many opportunities to improve their standing and have to avoid landmines in the next couple of months.

Unfortunately, Belmont already has two losses in league play, to Murray State and Morehead State. The defeat to the Eagles this week on the road isn’t bad, considering they’re the defending OVC Tournament champions. But the Bruins are 0-2 against the top teams in the league and if they slip up against someone else, likely will need the tournament themselves to get to the Big Dance.

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