BracketForecast.com | Bracketology and projections for college basketball.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Bracket Projections
(Formerly BracketMarch.com)

2/11: Weekend recap/Monday Bracket update

2/11/2013

5 Comments

 
Picture
     What happened this weekend? Is there anyone out there who can claim that this wasn't the most upside down week in college basketball over the past decade? After all, every top five team lost during the week, the first time that has happened since 1992. There is no question that the top of college basketball is down compared to most years, but what's creating a lot of upsets is that there are very strong teams outside the top 30 that can beat the teams in the top tier. Here are some notes on how the past week affected Monday's new bracket.
  1. Despite Michigan's recent losses, their wins have been impressive along with their style of play. I'm totally comfortable keeping them on the 1 line. 
  2. I wrote in January about how the time may come for Gonzaga to get strong consideration for a 1 seed. Well, the time has come. Every team above them has lost (sometimes more than once) while the Zags have continued to win impressively. With their brutal "play anyone-anywhere" motto, they went 5-0 vs the Big 12 and racked up other big non-conference wins. Gonzaga has earned a spot on the top line after Arizona's loss to Cal. The Zags move to the 1 seed in the West Region, while Arizona moves to the 2 seed in the West.
  3. Speaking of beating Michigan, the Badger wins against the Wolverines shot them up several seed lines. Even though they lack quality out of conference wins, Wisconsin's Big Ten wins give them an extremely impressive resume. They've earned a 5 seed to this point.
  4. I said I wouldn't include or consider Illinois for the bracket unless they could beat Minnesota and get to three games within .500 in Big Ten play. They did just that, knocking off two very highly regarded teams in a row. They jump all the way up to a 9 seed and certainly deserve it.
  5. After moving Illinois in, someone had to go, and that team was Arizona State. The home loss to Stanford was a huge blow, but the Sun Devils have enough wins to date that they can earn their back in the field by beating teams they're supposed to beat through early March.
  6. The tailspin virus has spread fast at the top of the Missouri Valley, first to Wichita State and then to Creighton. Both teams have managed to fall on very difficult times of late. They're both ok for at-larges as of now, but they need to be careful. More than one additional bad loss could take them out of the at-large field. 
  7. Kansas falls from a 1 to a 3 seed within a week after three straight losses. Mean while, cross-state rival Kansas State continued to look impressive since their first loss to the Jayhawks earlier in the New Year. Make no mistake about it, Kansas MUST win this game if it wants to get back in consideration for a top seed and a Big 12 regular season title. I would even go so far to say that this is their biggest regular season game in years. The Wildcats, on the other hand can take control of the Big 12 with a win in Lawrence. A victory on Monday would put them easily in the conversation for a 2 seed. 
  8. Even though Memphis and Belmont play in typical one-bid leagues and have relatively weak resumes, their play in conference has been quite impressive, going a combined 20-1. If they can avoid bad (read: any) regular season losses, they have a solid shot at an at-large if they don't win their conference tournament.  
  9. Fastest risers this week: Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Illinois, Miami
  10. Quickest drops this week: Wichita State, Creighton, Ole Miss, Kansas

5 Comments
BarrDirect link
2/11/2013 01:48:57 am

Nobody will want to play Gonzaga, whether they are a #1 or not. Great blog!

Reply
Dale Tutton
2/11/2013 02:55:36 am

Love the blog this week. Wisconsin is definitely looking a lot better!

Reply
Chip
2/11/2013 02:56:54 am

i think more consideration should be given to Miami

Reply
Bracketdance
2/11/2013 03:27:32 am

I love the way Miami has played since Reggie Johnson has returned. They're the reason I have them as a 1 seed. Five seniors plus Shane Larkin = very tough to beat.

Reply
Dale
2/11/2013 12:47:10 pm

Miami has earned every game. A strong contender or the national title.




Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Growing up outside of Richmond, Virginia in the heart of ACC Country, college hoops was set into the fabric of Rusty Tutton at an early age. A 2008 graduate of VCU, he lives in the Fan District of Richmond and works full-time in higher education.

    Archives

    February 2020
    October 2019
    February 2019
    March 2018
    February 2018
    February 2017
    January 2017
    March 2015
    January 2015
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012

    Categories

    All
    A10
    Big Ten
    Bubble Teams
    Ncaa Basketball
    Non Conference
    Non-Conference
    Seeds

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.