The college game is resembling the NBA more and more. From the reliance on the three-point shot to the push by some to move from halves to quarters to the offseason, which has become almost as explosive as the regular season. One thing that will always be unique to the college game (even if some want to change it) is the NCAA Tournament and the field selection.
Much like the game has evolved, the importance of bracketology has also evolved. No longer is it something that people only pay attention to in February and March, the impact on a team's tournament chances can be felt and examined in everything they do, even in the offseason. Whether it be from a roster standpoint or how a non-conference schedule can enhance a resume, examining college basketball through the lens of bracketology is becoming a year-round endeavor.
While trying to predict the field from the beginning of the season until Selection Sunday is undoubtedly an effort in futility, such an exercise also gives us a look at how teams are progressing throughout the year. We can see which teams are climbing and falling on the seed list and which teams are jumping on and off the bubble as we get closer to March.
In what seems like the blink of an eye, Selection Sunday has arrived. Over the last week, we’ve had tickets punched, and the bubble has sorted itself out somewhat. There are five final tickets to be punched today, before the best annual sporting event begins on Tuesday in Dayton. Where does your favorite team land in the bracket in just a few hours? Here is our final projection of the 68 teams that will make the field.
South Region (Atlanta)
Lexington
1.) Auburn vs. 16.) SIU-Edwardsville
8.) Illinois vs. 9.) New Mexico
Seattle
5.) Clemson vs. 12.) UC-San Diego
4.) Maryland vs. 13.) Troy
Wichita
6.) Saint Mary's vs.11.) Vanderbilt
3.) Texas Tech vs. 14.) Montana
Cleveland
7.) Marquette vs. 10.) Arkansas
2.) Michigan State vs. 15.) Bryant
After rebounding nicely from a two-game losing streak that ended their regular season, the Auburn Tigers survived Mississippi but ran into a Tennessee team that still has hopes of a No. 1 seed. Despite the result, the 28-5 Tigers remain the No. 1 overall seed and will be the top seed in the South region. The Tigers enter the tournament with a staggering 16 quad 1 wins, nine of which came in the top half of the quadrant. Of the top 10 teams in the NET, the next closest team in quad 1 wins entering selection Sunday is Houston with 13.
There is always one region that is dominated by defensive teams, this year that is the South region. Five of the top 30 teams in that efficiency are in the south, led by Auburn. Also, Tom Izzo’s Michigan State team, No. 6 UCLA, No. 4 Maryland, and No. 12 UC-San Diego are also defensive stalwarts. Also of interest is a potential between No. 2 Michigan State and John Calipari’s potentially healthy Arkansas Razorbacks.
The team to watch is the team who seemingly quietly finished second in the Big 12, No. 3 Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are 25-8, averaging 81 points per game with four players averaging double figures, led by JT Toppin who is quickly becoming a star. They also shoot over 37% from deep and force opponents to defend for long periods with their slow-down pace.