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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 Elijah Parquet Colorado Buffaloes (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Bracketology Elijah Parquet Colorado Buffaloes (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Colorado Buffaloes – 12-6 (4-4 Pac-12)

One of the toughest road trips any college team faces is when Pac-12 opponents go to both Utah and Colorado in the same week. That’s what top-10 teams, USC and UCLA had to do, giving the Buffaloes a prime opportunity to get at least one major victory for its resume. Unfortunately, despite being in both games close, Colorado couldn’t get a win over either team, losing by a combined nine points at home.

The Buffaloes currently have a NET ranking of around 90 and that number won’t be going too much higher. None of their losses are bad but they’ve lost to the Bruins twice and only have one more game against a projected NCAA Tournament team left (Arizona at home) to make any moves. Unless they win around eight straight games going forward, Colorado’s at-large hopes are pretty much done.

North Carolina Tar Heels – 12-6 (4-3 ACC)

There are two problems that UNC has that don’t seem like it will get better. The first is that the ACC is weak overall from 2-10, making it an issue when it comes to accumulating losses and getting quality victories. The second, and more importantly, is the lack of defense they’re playing with. That was shown this past week, giving up 85 and 98 points in blowout defeats to both Miami and Wake Forest on the road.

Losing to those teams isn’t an issue since both the Demon Deacons and Hurricanes are fairly good. But the Tar Heels are losing too many games in league play without getting meaningful wins and now it potentially is outside looking out of the bubble. They have a stretch of opponents they need to avoid losing before a home matchup against Duke, which might become a “must-win”.

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