Bracketology 2023: Louisville, Oregon among first week's biggest losers

Bracketology 2023: Louisville, Oregon among first week’s biggest losers

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles reacts to a play during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 26, 2022 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

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Bracketology Oklahoma Sooners head coach Porter Moser Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Clemson Tigers

The Tigers got some good and bad news this week. On the wrong end, the ACC team lost to South Carolina, who is projected to finish in the bottom of the SEC. They’re a power conference program but very well could be a Quad 3 loss on the road. But between that and the fight they had against The Citadel, Clemson has been far from impressive to start the season.

But the good news is that their best player, PJ Hall, is back. He had a timeline originally of sometime in December so his early return is a major boost for a team that can’t afford any more bad losses if they want any hope of competing for an at-large bid.

7. Oklahoma Sooners

After revamping the backcourt, the Sooners were hopeful to get back into the NCAA Tournament picture. However, it’s clear that there’s plenty of work to do for them after this opening week. They scored just 50 points in a one-point defeat to Sam Houston State, a WAC program that also was rebuilding itself this offseason.

Oklahoma did beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff this weekend but by just eight points. Being in the Big 12 means that they can make up for the Bearkats’ defeat but now that’s a loss that could add up sooner than later if they struggle in league play. They play a couple of better mid-majors this upcoming week in UNC-Wilmington and South Alabama and if they don’t improve quickly, could suffer another bad loss soon.

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