Bracketology: The 2018-19 Preseason Media Bracket

One of our favorite traditions at HoopsHD is to make a preseason bracket based on both the major polls (AP Poll and Coaches Poll) as well as preseason polls from all 32 Division I conferences. The 1-68 S-Curve is based on positions in the major polls along with Matt Norlander’s (of CBS Sports.com) comprehensive ranking of all 353 Division I programs.

This bracket is separate from what Chad Sherwood will be unveiling next week, so without further ado:

The top 4 ranked teams in order are Kansas, Kentucky, Gonzaga and Duke respectively. All 4 teams except Gonzaga meet in the State Farm Champions Classic next Tuesday – but even after that, there is a good chance that Duke and Gonzaga could meet in the championship of the Maui Invitational.

Elsewhere in the bracket, I did bump Western Kentucky up to the 11-seed line and the Miami/Texas opening round game down to the 12-line for bracketing considerations. I also had Alabama and Louisville flipped because the Cardinals cannot be in the South Region as the host institution for the Sweet 16/Elite 8 games in Louisville. Buffalo is also above the bubble since they got votes in the preseason polls, and if they have a strong regular season, it is not far-fetched to think that they could wind up this high. This is also why Saint Louis is down on the 12-line; they did not get any votes in either poll but were the media pick to win the Atlantic 10 Conference.

If you have any comments, feel free to tweet @jstalica78, @HoopsHD, @csherwood_1973, @jonteitel, @roccomiller8 or @DavidGPuppet.