Bracket Talk: Indiana teams didn't do themselves any favors
Two weeks from Selection Sunday and it's looking like Indiana will be well-represented in the NCAA Tournament.
• Indiana won at Rutgers last Sunday but lost at Northwestern on Wednesday, giving the Hoosiers their first "bad" loss of the season (The Eastern Washington loss has shown to be not so bad, but it's looking more shaky each week.). They are a lock to be in the tournament, and I currently have them as a 7 seed in the East playing North Carolina State in Portland. Depending on how the final two games play out, and the Big Ten tournament, I can see them anywhere between a 6-10 seed.
• Purdue earned a tougher than expected win over Rutgers, which really didn't help the Boilers' profile. They lost a double-digit lead against Ohio State on Sunday night in a 65-61 defeat. But, with all of the commotion among bubble teams, I have moved Purdue to a 10 seed, playing San Diego State in Seattle. It is not a lock yet, but I think winning its last two games, and a win in the Big Ten tournament, should do the trick.
• Notre Dame only played once this week, losing at home to Syracuse. This is not a crushing defeat and the Irish still have a good shot to be a top 4 seed. I currently have them as a No. 4, playing Harvard in Jacksonville. Their game this week at Louisville is huge as far as seeding implications in the ACC tournament go. They are still being held back some by their non-conference strength of schedule, which right now stands at 316 out of 351.
• Butler beat Marquette and DePaul this week and is alone in second place in the Big East. I still have the Bulldogs as a 5 seed, now in the West playing Iona in Seattle. The final two games in the regular season are big ones, home against Georgetown and at Providence. Wins in both could push them to a 4-seed.
• Valparaiso lost at Detroit this week, but bounced back Friday to beat Cleveland State and wrap up the regular-season Horizon League title. By doing so, the Crusaders have guaranteed themselves a spot in the NIT, should they not win the conference tournament. Also, by winning, they receive a double bye, so their next game isn't until Saturday. There is a real possibility it could be Cleveland State again.
INDYSTAR'S COLLEGE HOOPS COVERAGE:IU, Purdue, Butler
Week in review
Kentucky keeps on winning, and Saturday topped probably the only team that had a shot in beating the Wildcats — Arkansas. They still have to travel to Georgia this week, and that could be a tricky one, but it's looking like Indiana's distinction of being the last team to go undefeated is in jeopardy.
In a rare move by me, I have taken a team considered dead, and moved it back into contention. I do not expect Kansas State to really be close, but with seven top-50 wins, the Wildcats merit consideration. They have a .500 record and only one true road win, but that is a huge amount of top-50 wins on their resume.
I've been asked many times how I thought the injury to Justin Anderson would affect Virginia, and my response was, let's wait and see. No more waiting, Virginia is still good, and a title contender, and will only get better once he's cleared to play.
There was much discussion the past couple of weeks why I had Villanova as a No. 1 seed over Gonzaga. It was always close, but I just felt Villanova had a better overall profile. Now that Gonzaga lost at home to BYU, I think any realistic hope of the Zags getting a 1 seed is gone.
North Carolina State almost locked up an at-large bid with its win at North Carolina last week, but then went to Boston College and was blown out. Life on the bubble isn't easy.
Boise State got a huge win at San Diego State and has made its first appearance in my bracket this season. The Broncos are playing well right now and give the Mountain West three legitimate candidates for the tournament.
Baylor is surging right now with two straight wins over top-50 opponents in Iowa State and West Virginia. I feel the Bears are a solid contender for a 2 seed, if one of my current ones slips.
Wichita State exacted revenge on Northern Iowa and won its second straight Missouri Valley regular-season title. Both teams are locks to be in the tournament, be high seeds, and should be tough outs.
A team that I think the committee might be high on, which maybe doesn't deserve it in my eyes is Ohio State. The Buckeyes have a nice record, 20-8, but only two top-50 wins – Indiana and Maryland. Their non-conference strength of schedule isn't in the top 200. I currently have them as an 8 seed, but I feel that might be too high. It will be interesting to see how the committee evaluates them.
Current Top Seeds as of Sunday morning
East –Virginia, Gonzaga, Oklahoma, Utah
South – Duke, Kansas, Maryland, Wichita State
Midwest – Kentucky, Wisconsin, Baylor, Notre Dame
West – Villanova, Arizona, Iowa State, Arkansas
Last four teams in – Boise State, Tulsa, Oregon, Davidson
First four teams out — BYU, Texas, Stanford, UCLA
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