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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 St. John’s Red Storm guard Stef Smith Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Bracketology St. John’s Red Storm guard Stef Smith Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

Virginia Tech Hokies – 10-8 (2-5 ACC)

Despite a record closer to .500 and just one good win on the season (Saint Bonaventure), the Hokies still have good metrics and were projected to be in the NCAA Tournament field. A big part of that has been the absence of a bad loss (Memphis is debatable) until the weekend. But that changed with a brutal loss on the road at Boston College, a team with a NET ranking just below 200.

Now, Virginia Tech’s resume has a major blemish, losing to one of the two ACC programs (Pittsburgh the other) that can really negatively affect them. They’re now closer to the bottom of the conference than the top and have a trio of games against NCAA Tournament contenders (Miami, Florida State, North Carolina) that could cement their status as a non-threat to the Big Dance.

St. John’s Red Storm – 10-7 (2-4 Big East)

The Red Storm had a rough past couple of weeks, dealing with covid pauses and a lack of a resume heading into Big East play. And with January almost over, St. John’s still doesn’t have anything to speak of yet, with its two wins in league play being against DePaul and Georgetown, the two worst teams in the conference.

This past, St. John’s had a pair of winnable games against Creighton on the road and Seton Hall at home. However, they weren’t able to get either of them, losing two more games and falling towards the bottom of the standings. And to this point, the Red Storm’s best win is against DePaul, with an awful loss to Pittsburgh (without Julian Champagnie) on the resume.

Next. Top 25 Player of the Year contenders. dark

St. John’s has a NET ranking around 100 right now and a three-game stretch against Villanova, Seton Hall, and Providence coming up. 10 days from now, the Red Storm will either be back in the mix or a complete afterthought in the bottom of the Big East, a far cry from preseason expectations.

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