2014 Barnes Bracketology: Feb. 14

If there is anyone out there who think they should expand the NCAA tournament to 96 teams, let this year be an example of what a terrible idea that is. Maybe more than in other years, I am really struggling finding teams that deserve to just be among the 68 teams. So if you look at this latest bracket and think to yourself, "Wow, that team is in", trust me, you're not alone. I probably thought the same thing.

MY PROJECTED FIELD OF 68
(changes in italics)

LOCKS: I added Wisconsin to this group after their win over a quality Minnesota team. I didn't drop anyone (and hope to never do that) and again, these are in order so you know how I have ranked each team on the S-Curve.

LOCKS (22): Syracuse, Arizona, Florida, Wichita State, Kansas, Michigan State, Duke, Villanova, Creighton, Cincinnati, Michigan, San Diego State, Saint Louis, Texas, Iowa State, Kentucky, Virginia, Iowa, Louisville, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma



AUTOS: No changes here from Monday's update.

Teams that have clinched their berth will appear in bold

AUTOS (22): America East - Vermont, Atlantic Sun - Mercer, Big Sky - Weber State, Big South - Coastal Carolina, Big West - UC-Irvine, Colonial - Delaware, Conference-USA - Southern Miss, Horizon - Green Bay, Ivy - Harvard, MAAC - Iona, MAC - Toledo, MEAC - NC Central, Northeast - Robert Morris, Ohio Valley - Belmont, Patriot - Boston Univ., Southern - Davidson, Southland - Stephen F. Austin, SWAC - Southern, Summit - North Dakota State, Sun Belt - Georgia State, WAC - Utah Valley, WCC - Gonzaga

AT-LARGE: You'll normally see a little shakeup in this group every update. This time, BYU and Ole Miss drop out while Georgetown and Richmond jump in. You'll also notice some movement among the teams. Of note, many of them lost over the past 4 days, proving how these teams are not exactly breaking down the walls to lock up their spot in the field.

These are in order, so the last four teams will be playing in the "First Four" in Dayton

AT-LARGE (24): UConn, Memphis, Kansas State, SMU, Ohio State, UCLA, North Carolina, VCU, New Mexico, UMass, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Colorado, George Washington, Minnesota, Stanford, Tennessee, California, Saint Joseph's, Missouri, Xavier, Georgetown, Richmond, LSU

BUBBLE WATCH

BUBBLE: Well, a bubble was burst. Southern Miss had a terrible loss at UAB that means they really need to win the CUSA title. Also, some teams on the outside looking in had chances to improve their standings and did not, with losses to fellow BUBBLE teams. I added Dayton to the group after looking at their resume a little closer.

These are in order, so to figure out the first teams out, head to the final team from the AT-LARGE category and look for all the teams behind them.

BUBBLE (34): UConn, Memphis, Kansas State, SMU, Ohio State, UCLA, North Carolina, VCU, Gonzaga, New Mexico, UMass, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Colorado, George Washington, Minnesota, Stanford, Tennessee, California, Saint Joseph's, Missouri, Xavier, Georgetown, Richmond, LSU, Dayton, Saint Mary's, Ole Miss, BYU, Providence, Clemson, Arkansas

SEEDING

CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN
Big Ten (6), Big 12 (6), Pac-12 (6), AAC (5), ACC (5),  A-10 (5), Big East (4), SEC (4), MWC (2)

(Click on bracket to enlarge)
EAST vs. MIDWEST
WEST vs. SOUTH

**Syracuse is the overall top seed

Next update will come after Sunday's games.

MB