W-13 BP68

There is just one change to the Field of 68 this week, which is St. John's moving in and Colorado dropping out. Providence is hanging on precariously to the final at-large spot, and needs to start playing better or they will drop out also.

One team that didn't drop out of this bracket, though they'll drop out of any "If the season ended now" brackets, is Michigan. There's no question that their last three games have been a debacle, but I'm keeping them in my projected bracket. For the full explanation, wait for the Arizona/Michigan recap in the "Morning News" post that will come in the morning.

The other projections should be fairly straightforward, but remember that you can always click on the tags on the upper left hand side of the page to see any recent times I've talked about a team you're confused about. Hopefully my reasoning is clear. If not, don't hesitate to leave a constructive comment.

Remember, this is a projection of what the bracket will look like on Selection Sunday, and not a measure of where teams would be if the season ended now.

For now, here's how I see things ending up on Selection Sunday:

1. KENTUCKY (SEC)
1. WISCONSIN (BIG TEN)
1. DUKE (ACC)
1. ARIZONA (PAC-12)

2. KANSAS (BIG 12)
2. VILLANOVA (BIG EAST)
2. Virginia
2. Texas

3. Louisville
3. GONZAGA (WCC)
3. North Carolina
3. Oklahoma

4. SAN DIEGO STATE (MOUNTAIN WEST)
4. Utah
4. Ohio State
4. WICHITA STATE (MISSOURI VALLEY)

5. Iowa State
5. Florida
5. VCU (ATLANTIC TEN)
5. Georgetown

6. Iowa
6. UCONN (AAC)
6. Oklahoma State
6. SMU

7. Northern Iowa
7. West Virginia
7. Maryland
7. Stanford

8. Illinois
8. Miami-Florida
8. Michigan State
8. Dayton

9. Syracuse
9. UCLA
9. Pittsburgh
9. Butler

10. Michigan
10. Xavier
10. Colorado State
10. Arkansas

11. HARVARD (IVY)
11. Notre Dame
11. Nebraska
11. Baylor

12. Cincinnati
12. BYU
12. St. John's
12. Providence
12. TOLEDO (MAC)
12. UC SANTA BARBARA (BIG WEST)

13. UTEP (CONFERENCE USA)
13. GREEN BAY (HORIZON)
13. IONA (MAAC)
13. NORTHEASTERN (COLONIAL)

14. GEORGIA STATE (SUN BELT)
14. EASTERN WASHINGTON (BIG SKY)
14. MURRAY STATE (OVC)
14. FLORIDA GULF COAST (ATLANTIC SUN)

15. DENVER (SUMMIT)
15. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN (SOUTHLAND)
15. NEW MEXICO STATE (WAC)
15. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY (PATRIOT)

16. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL (MEAC)
16. WOFFORD (SOCON)
16. STONY BROOK (AMERICA EAST)
16. HIGH POINT (BIG SOUTH)
16. ST. FRANCIS-BROOKLYN (NEC)
16. ALABAMA STATE (SWAC)

Teams seriously considered that just missed the cut:
NC State, George Washington, Creighton, Seton Hall, Minnesota, California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Tennessee

Other teams with a decent shot, but that need to improve their resume:
Houston, Memphis, Tulsa, Georgia Tech, UMass, Richmond, Rhode Island, Indiana, Purdue, Kansas State, TCU, Louisiana Tech, Boise State, New Mexico, Wyoming, Arizona State, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Saint Mary's

Other teams I'm keeping my eye on, but that need to dramatically improve their resume:
Temple, Tulane, Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Davidson, St. Bonaventure, Marquette, Northwestern, Penn State,Texas Tech, Charlotte, Old Dominion, Evansville, Illinois State, UNLV, Oregon State, Mississippi State