Brad-ketology

Brad-ketology

By: Bradley Stewart

I can hardly believe it is here folks!  This is the final week of the Regular Season and here is my third  bracket of the season.  Most teams only have two games remaining before their conference tournaments  and for teams on the bubble, they are must wins.  Here is an in-depth look of my bracket (I am picking who will make the NCAA Tournament and what seed they will get):  

Number One Seeds: Kansas, Villanova, North Carolina, and Gonzaga are on the top line of this bracket.  Another loss will bump Gonzaga to a two seed, but for now they remain safely a one seed.  UNC has been dominant as of late and as long as no other top ACC team can beat them, they will remain a one.  Villanova and Kansas are both safely on the one line, but a bad stretch could knock them off.  

Teams that could still receive a one seed: Kansas, Villanova, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Oregon, Arizona, UCLA, and Louisville

Butler: Butler was able to upset Villanova for the second time this season last week.  The win gave them 5 RPI Top-25 wins.  The Bulldogs have a Top-10 RPI and a Top-15 Strength of Schedule to go along with a 22-6 record.  With their strong resume and more potential opportunities to strengthen it, the Bulldogs could rise to a two seed.

Butler’s Seed Range: 2-4

Bubble Watch: The Vanderbilt Commodores have rejoined the conversation of a potential Tournament spot and I have them currently playing in a play-in game.  Vanderbilt has a Top-3 Strength of Schedule, which can only get better as they play at Kentucky and vs Florida, four top-50 wins, and wins against ranked Florida and South Carolina teams.  The Dores’ find themselves in a good spot, benefiting from a weak bubble.  Should they defeat Florida or Kentucky and win a couple games in the SEC Tournament, they should be in the field of 68.

Teams that are currently on the Bubble (Could fall out of field or climb into field): Arkansas, Michigan State, Georgia Tech, California, Marquette, Vanderbilt, Wichita State/Illinois State (whoever does not win the Missouri Valley), USC, Seton Hall, Michigan, Providence, Rhode Island, TCU, Kansas State Ole Miss, and Wake Forest

To Look at the FULL BRACKET CLICK HERE

To Look at the FULL BRACKET CLICK HERE

Vanderbilt is the Closest .500 Team To Make the Tourney

Vanderbilt basketball is a year removed from getting absolutely demolished against Wichita State in the play-in round of the NCAA Tournament. The Commodores struggled to start the season with their two key players from last season leaving to go to the NBA in Wade Baldwin IV and Damien Jones.  Vanderbilt found themselves in the midst of a four game losing streak in the middle of conference play, but is 6-3 since then.  They now sit at 14-13, but a strong, last push could potentially slide them into the tournament.  Vanderbilt has four games remaining in the regular season.  They have three crucial road games against Tennessee and ranked Florida and Kentucky.  They just beat no. 21 South Carolina.  If the 'Dores finish the year 3-1 and make the semi-finals in the SEC Tournament, which is in Nashville, they would make a strong case to make the tournament.  Currently, Vanderbilt has a top 50 RPI and has the number one non-conference strength of schedule and a top 5 strength of schedule overall.  They have four top 50 wins, meaning possible wins against Tennessee, Florida, and Kentucky, along with the SEC tournament could help their case.  It's a long shot, but at least it's a shot.

Duke Is Back

Duke found itself in a hole midway through January having lost three of four, including a loss the failure that is NC State basketball in Cameron Indoor Stadium.  Coach K decided to take away the player's jerseys and their rights to the locker room.  The message stuck and Duke was able to comeback for a two point win over Wake Forest.  Then Duke handled #20 Notre Dame in Jeff Capel's last game as head coach.  Coach K came back and was able to knock off Pittsburgh.
Duke then faced off against North Carolina in a rivalry game.  The Blue Devils played well the entire game and shot 50% from three in the eight point win over their rival.  Duke survived a squeaker against Clemson on Saturday.
Duke is on a five game win streak and appear to back on the college basketball landscape.  They look like the team that was ranked in the preseason number one in the country.  Only time will tell if Duke's mid-season changes have a major impact on their ultimate success.