Bracketology 2023: Duke, Auburn, Texas, UCLA among biggest winners

Bracketology 2023: Duke, Auburn, Texas and UCLA among biggest winners

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 04: Kyle Filipowski #30 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after making a three-point basket during the second half of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 04, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Duke won 62-57. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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Bracketology Florida Atlantic Owls guard Alijah Martin Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida Atlantic Owls

This was an incredible season for the Owls, who weren’t even one of the top preseason teams in Conference USA. But Dusty May has made a case for National Coach of the Year with his work, leading a balanced roster to a 28-3 regular season record and all but guaranteed an at-large bid.

There was a tiny sliver of a chance that the Owls could’ve been on the bubble, had they lost both road games this past week. But they handled Rice in the first game, winning 103-74, led by 21 points from Nicholas Boyd. Not only was it another road win but it helped the already great metrics for the team.

The second game was much closer, decided in the final minute. FAU was able to beat Louisiana Tech, 76-72, thanks to another 32 points from the bench, along with 15 points from Vladislav Goldin.

It’s at this point where Conference USA has a potential bid thief on its hands, as the Owls are going to the NCAA Tournament, even if they were to lose in the quarterfinals to a Quad 4 opponent. But bubble teams will have to hope that they win out, which could get them off the 8/9 seed range if they do.

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