2015 Barnes Bracketology - Mar. 13

I know, you can smell the finish line. So can I. Yesterday had games that really impacted how things were on this. Others though just kept things status quo. I'm not sure it's going to stay that way after Friday's games.

Quick note: I am among a select few "celebrities" (using that term loosely for me) taking part in a bracket challenge presented by FLIP. It is am organization dedicated to cancer prevention. It is a cause near and dear to many, including myself. You can take part in the bracket challenge for just $10, which goes towards FLIP. And in return, you can compete for some great prizes (CBJ tix, tailgate package, OSU gear) plus try to out pick myself, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, former OSU football and basketball players and more. Check it out right here!

MY PROJECTED FIELD OF 68
(changes in italics)

LOCKS: Plain and simple, the Pac-12 is getting three teams in the tournament. And Oregon is playing well enough now to not give me any doubt the committee will snub them on Selection Sunday.

This group is in order, so you have an idea of how they rank on my S-Curve.

LOCKS (37): Kentucky, Virginia, Duke, Villanova, Wisconsin, Arizona, Gonzaga, Kansas, Maryland, Baylor, Notre Dame, Iowa State, Utah, Oklahoma, Northern Iowa, SMU, Louisville, North Carolina, West Virginia, Wichita State, Georgetown, Arkansas, Butler, Providence, San Diego State, St. John's, Cincinnati, Iowa, VCU, Michigan State, NC State, Xavier, Dayton, Temple, Ohio State, Davidson, Oregon



AUTOS: Not one change here at all. That's rare for this late.

Teams that have clinched their berth will appear in bold

AUTOS (21): America East - Albany, Atlantic Sun - North Florida, Big Sky - Eastern Washington, Big South - Coastal Carolina, Big West - UC Davis, Colonial - Northeastern, Conference USA - Louisiana Tech, Horizon - Valparaiso, Ivy - Harvard, MAAC - Manhattan, MAC - Central Michigan, MEAC - NC Central, Northeast - Robert Morris, Ohio Valley - Belmont, Patriot - Lafayette, Southern - Wofford, Southland - Stephen F. Austin, SWAC - Texas Southern, Summit - North Dakota State, Sun Belt - Georgia State, WAC - New Mexico State

AT-LARGE: And then there were 10. No one added or dropped but BYU is now back in the "First Four" as Boise State works their way back into the better part of this group. Ole Miss is barely hanging on after a bad loss in the SEC tournament.

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

AT-LARGE (10): Georgia, LSU, Colorado State, Purdue, Boise State, Oklahoma State, BYU, Indiana, Texas, Ole Miss

 BUBBLE WATCH

BUBBLE: Bubble were bursting like no other on Thursday. This group had 20 just a day ago. Now it's down to 15, and only one team graduated so that means the bubble is truly shrinking. Of the 5 teams still on the outside looking in, Texas A&M is the team that has no chance to play another game so their chances are very slim right now.

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 (15): Georgia, LSU, Colorado State, Purdue, Boise State, Oklahoma State, BYU, Indiana, Texas, Ole Miss, UCLA, Tulsa, Richmond, Texas A&M, Rhode Island

SEEDING

CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN
 Big 12 (7), Big Ten (7), ACC (6), Big East (6), SEC (5), American (3), Mountain West (3), A-10 (3), Pac-12 (3), Missouri Valley (2), West Coast (2)

NEW TEAMS IN: None

NEW TEAMS OUT: None

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

**Kentucky is the overall top seed

GAMES TO WATCH

Michigan vs. Wisconsin (Big Ten Quarterfinals) -  This is all about a 1 seed for Wisconsin. The Badgers are very close to Villanova. So just keep winning.
Penn State vs. Purdue (Big Ten Quarterfinals) - Purdue is still in pretty solid for this late in the game. But don't lose here to stay that way.
VCU vs. Richmond (A10 Quarterfinals) - Richmond needs this one and likely another to knock down the BUBBLE door.
Auburn vs. LSU (SEC Quarterfinals) - LSU is very very close. Don't trip up here and we'll see them in the Big Dance.
Indiana vs. Maryland (Big Ten Quarterfinals) - Plain and simple for both teams. Indiana win means they are in the field. Win for Maryland moves them one step closer to possibly overtaking Kansas for a 2 seed.
Houston vs. Tulsa (American Quarterfinals) - Tulsa can't afford this upset. Or their bubble will burst.
Providence vs. Villanova (Big East Semifinals) - Providence is a good team so it's not a bad loss if it happens to Villanova. But their chance at a 1 seed may go away.
North Carolina vs. Virginia (ACC Semifinals) -  I think Virginia's 1 seed is safe but among the 4, not sure their placement yet. UNC fighting to move up to a 4 seed.
George Washington vs. Rhode Island (A10 Quarterfinals) - Must-win for Rhode Island to stay in the conversation.
South Carolina vs. Georgia (SEC Quarterfinals) - UGA should probably be in already. But they've lost to South Carolina. A third loss would be troubling.
UCLA vs. Arizona (Pac-12 Semifinals) - Easier said than done but UCLA must pull off this upset. And if they do, their reward my be a spot in the field.
Wyoming vs. Boise State (Mountain West Semifinals) - One more win for Boise may just do it. Hard to find fault with the rest of the resume.
Notre Dame vs. Duke (ACC Semifinals) - Duke locks up a 1 seed with a win here. A loss slightly opens the door for others like Wisconsin and Arizona.
Colorado State vs. San Diego State (Mountain West Semifinals) - Colorado State has been hovering as a BUBBLE from the beginning. They move to LOCK with this upset.

Next bracket posted tomorrow. Remember, we are going daily until Selection Sunday!

MB