-Jim Root
It’s been a month since my last bracket update, and quite honestly, I felt like I needed to do one if only to stay informed when bracketology discussions pop up (and to be able to dunk on Joe Lunardi when he makes random TV appearances). January has brought plenty of movement, and one significant difference from my last update is that this one is nearly 100% “results-based” — which means no more of my own vague projections influencing the proceedings.
Naturally, it makes sense to look at the biggest risers and fallers since my last bracket. Here are the biggest risers up the S-Curve, not factoring in the 20 or so automatic bids (so going from first team out to last team in would only be a rise of one spot):
LSU is apparently going to win every one-possession game until the end of time, and those victories vaulted them way up the bracket. Rutgers and Seton Hall have turned New Jersey into a basketball state, and Tennessee has clawed its way into consideration while weathering the injury to Lamonte Turner. But some of these teams — USC, Marquette, Colorado — are here because I was a non-believer the last time I did this, but with my idiotic influence removed from the evaluation, they all move up considerably.
And on the other end of the spectrum:
I tried to confront my Memphis bashing head on last time around, but then the Fightin’ Pennies had a disastrous January (2-4 overall, with three losses to non-tournament teams), dropping them out of the field entirely. Virginia, Ohio State, and North Carolina’s swoons have been well-documented, but Michigan and DePaul have dropped off nearly as severely, and Temple has waved goodbye to even the fringes of the bubble.
For the automatic bid, I went with the leader in the standings – with an ounce of discretion thrown in (sorry, Tulsa). As the tournament approaches, I’ll default to the 1-seed in the conference tournament.
Bracket
Time for my favorite bracket game, Spot the Narrative!
Kelvin Sampson taking on Indiana in Round One would be absolutely delightful. IU fans, please feel free to bombard him with illegal text messages!
Gonzaga and Florida State in the same region again?? The two have played in back-to-back NCAA Tournaments, with each school winning one meeting, and a rubber match could be for a trip to the Final Four.
It’s not a “narrative,” per se, but Jay Wright taking on Wright State in Round One would be fun.
Unlikely, but a “Battle for Colorado” in Round Two would be delightful. Taking place in Greensboro, North Carolina, of course. We could also see NC State getting a shot at “The Other UNC.”
Wisconsin vs. Stanford in a race to 50 points: feel the excitement!!
BYU’s Alex Barcello would get a nice “revenge game” opportunity in facing his former school, Arizona.
I’m salivating at the idea of Chris Beard scheming against Andy Enfield. That is all.