January 27 Bracket Update

Here's this week's bracket. I'm continuing to be surprised that 11 out of 14 teams in the Big 10 are making the tournament. It wouldn't be unprecedented, but I also think that some are going to fall out. The Committee won't care how many they put in from any one conference, of course, but just through attrition we'll see some drop out. Of course, that also requires some teams to step up.

I'm going to look into my Orange's prospects this week. The ACC is down this year and I fear that SU needs to steal a win against Duke, Louisville or the Seminoles to get in. I think the NC State game is really big too. There are plenty of cheap wins out there, but that also means that losing those games will ding their chances. But I bet if they keep winning we'll see them in the "next four out" relatively soon.

January 20 Bracket

So here's this week's bracket. I bumped the Aztecs to the top line after Duke's two losses this week. I imagine that Duke could take back that spot with a few wins, even if SDST stays undefeated, since the Blue Devils have a tough schedule. Butler also took a step back this week. Maybe the Aztecs weren't the best choice to move up, but I wasn't sold on anyone else.

Lots of upsets, so that shakes things up. It's amazing how much churning is going on at almost every level. Almost makes me think Syracuse can crawl back onto the bubble if things go right. Almost.

January 10 Bracket

Wow, it HAS been awhile. So here's my first bracket of the 2019-20 season:

I was struck by the turnover from last year. It is very weird making out a bracket without Syracuse and especially North Carolina in it, but that's where we're at. Personally, I love the turnover at the top. I really like seeing the sort of new faces up there. Butler fighting for a 1-seed! San Diego State way up there after how many years? Baylor and Auburn deserve where they're at and are big-conference teams, but we're used to some of their league-mates being this high, not them. And I love seeing Dayton as a top 4. Kentucky and Virginia are way down from last year. Tennessee's not even in. And, wait a moment.... (squinting)... is that Rutgers?!? Yes it is, in the play-in game! Welcome back, Rutgers! I know they, like Butler, are big-conference members, but they don't feel like it so they're easy to root for.

I'll get back to doing these each week, hopefully consistently over the weekends, right up to Selection Sunday. My first couple will be a little rough as I get back into it, but hopefully they'll get polished as we go.