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Bracketology 2023: Clemson, Illinois, and NC State among biggest winners

By Tristan Freeman

BLACKSBURG, VA - JANUARY 4: Members of the Clemson Tigers mens basketball team react following a win against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum on January 4, 2023 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - JANUARY 4: Members of the Clemson Tigers mens basketball team react following a win against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum on January 4, 2023 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images) /
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Bracketology Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Clemson Tigers

When you’re in first place in ACC, you should be safely in the NCAA Tournament mix. But the problem for Clemson is that they have a pair of awful Quad 4 losses in the non-conference in South Carolina and Clemson. But they’ve done their best to make up for it in league play, now 7-0 with wins over Louisville and Duke.

Both are important, in that the Cardinals would’ve been the ultimate Quad 4 setback, while the Blue Devils at home are a Quad 1 win, the fourth of the season for the Tigers. Their NET ranking is just above 50 which is still in bubble territory but they’ve done a great job to be on the right side of Bracketology projections at the moment.

Alabama Crimson Tide

It was a nice week for the Tide, both via their own results and from others. Alabama defeated both Arkansas on the road and blew out LSU at home to remain unbeaten in the SEC, while the Tennessee Vols suffered a defeat to Kentucky on Saturday.

This puts Alabama not only in first place in the conference but also in a good spot for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They have a top-5 NET ranking with five Quad 1 victories and no losses outside of Quad 1. It’s a resume that’s one of the best in the country and with plenty more opportunities to enhance it.

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