The Super Bowl has come and gone. That can only mean one thing. The start of another season of Barnes Bracketology. It's amazing to think this is my 9th year doing this. What began as something to do to just pass the time during some boring afternoons in Augusta, GA has turned into something fun and challenging.
Last year was a perfect year for me in terms of accuracy, getting all 68 of 68 teams. In full disclosure, I thought it was fairly easy last year. Many times, it comes down to 2-3 teams and last year, the final teams separated themselves. Now of course, there technically is no right or wrong answer. It's all subjective. So if I miss teams or mis-seed teams badly, it just means I have a different opinion than the committee.
This is a big puzzle that can be put together many different ways. And initially, you will see lots of movement as I try to really get a handle on these teams and their resumes. So sit back and enjoy as the process begins with my usual "day after Super Bowl" initial post. And make sure you come back on Friday for the next update.
Last year was a perfect year for me in terms of accuracy, getting all 68 of 68 teams. In full disclosure, I thought it was fairly easy last year. Many times, it comes down to 2-3 teams and last year, the final teams separated themselves. Now of course, there technically is no right or wrong answer. It's all subjective. So if I miss teams or mis-seed teams badly, it just means I have a different opinion than the committee.
This is a big puzzle that can be put together many different ways. And initially, you will see lots of movement as I try to really get a handle on these teams and their resumes. So sit back and enjoy as the process begins with my usual "day after Super Bowl" initial post. And make sure you come back on Friday for the next update.
MY PROJECTED FIELD OF 68
(changes in italics)
LOCKS: This group is comprised of teams that have locked up their spot in the tournament. Yes, even with a month to go. Initially, this list is small because it pains me to take someone off this list. It will grow gradually as teams get big wins and improve their resumes.
These are in order so you know how I rank these teams right now.
These are in order so you know how I rank these teams right now.
LOCKS (20): Virginia, Villanova, Purdue, Xavier, Kansas, Auburn, Duke, Arizona, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Clemson, Texas Tech, Ohio State, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Seton Hall
AUTOS: This group is all about the projected conference tournament champions. Obviously, I'm not dissecting the resume of each team in these conferences. Instead, I just go to standings and more times than not, pick the first place team and stick them here. Won't see a ton of changes here week-to-week until the conference tournaments begin.
Teams that have clinched their berth will appear in bold
AUTOS (24): America East - Vermont, Atlantic Sun - Florida Gulf Coast, Big Sky - Montana, Big South - Winthrop, Big West - Long Beach St, Colonial - Charleston, Conference-USA - Middle Tennessee, Horizon - Wright State, Ivy - Harvard, MAAC - Rider, MAC - Buffalo, MEAC - North Carolina A&T, Missouri Valley - Loyola-Chicago, Mountain West - Nevada, Northeast - Wagner, Ohio Valley - Belmont, Patriot - Bucknell, Southern - East Tennesse State, Southland - Stephen F. Austin, SWAC - Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Summit - South Dakota State, Sun Belt - Louisiana, WAC - New Mexico State, WCC - Saint Mary's
AT-LARGE: This is the group that is always the toughest to come up with. The group of teams that are getting in but by no means is it a guarantee. The first half of this group is probably in good shape but February is a volatile month in college basketball and can make or break teams so expect plenty of shuffling as we head into March.
These are in order, so the last four teams will be playing in the "First Four" in Dayton.
These are in order, so the last four teams will be playing in the "First Four" in Dayton.
AT-LARGE (24): Wichita State, Florida, Alabama, Miami (FL), Gonzaga, Washington, Michigan, Creighton, Providence, Florida State, Texas, Louisville, Butler, Arizona State, Texas A&M, USC, Arkansas, Syracuse, NC State, Missouri, UCLA, TCU, Boise State, Kansas State BUBBLE WATCH
BUBBLE: And now the dreaded bubble. If you know college basketball, you know what this means. You are not safe. This group will grow and shrink frequently as teams get on hot and cold streaks. It's not the best list to be on but if you fall off of it, you're in real trouble. Every team in the AT-LARGE category is in this group because they aren't a LOCK and you could always find a team from the AUTO group in here too because if they lose their conference tournament, they would need to be in a good position in this group.
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 (38): Wichita State, Saint Mary's, Florida, Alabama, Miami (FL), Gonzaga, Nevada, Washington,
Michigan, Creighton, Providence, Florida State, Texas, Louisville, Butler, Arizona
State, Texas A&M, USC, Arkansas, Syracuse, NC State, Missouri, UCLA,
TCU, Boise State, Kansas State, Middle Tennessee, Nebraska, Houston, Maryland, Oklahoma State, Georgia, St. Bonaventure, LSU, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, SMU, Utah, Marquette, Western Kentucky, Stanford
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 (38): Wichita State, Saint Mary's, Florida, Alabama, Miami (FL), Gonzaga, Nevada, Washington,
Michigan, Creighton, Providence, Florida State, Texas, Louisville, Butler, Arizona
State, Texas A&M, USC, Arkansas, Syracuse, NC State, Missouri, UCLA,
TCU, Boise State, Kansas State, Middle Tennessee, Nebraska, Houston, Maryland, Oklahoma State, Georgia, St. Bonaventure, LSU, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, SMU, Utah, Marquette, Western Kentucky, Stanford
SEEDING
CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN
ACC (9), Big 12 (7), SEC (7), Big East (6), Pac-12 (5), Big Ten (4), American (2), Mountain West (2), West Coast (2)
CONFERENCE BREAKDOWN
ACC (9), Big 12 (7), SEC (7), Big East (6), Pac-12 (5), Big Ten (4), American (2), Mountain West (2), West Coast (2)
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