Bracket reflects all games played through December 18th. David Dorman’s comments are below the bracket…
This is what the committee should do if the season ended today. These teams have earned spots for what they have accomplished on the court.
My last 1 seed came down to Kansas & Houston. I have been highly impressed with both squads but I gave the nod to Houston with the big road victory over the weekend in Virginia. Road wins in gym’s that rarely see the road team escape with victories goes a long way in my book. Not just on the top line but all seed lines and teams on the cut line. Some might think UCLA is a little high with the 2 early losses in Las Vegas but the win over Kentucky in MSG over the weekend got them to the 3 line.
Teams I am very impressed with that I did not think would be in my bracket 1 month ago (for either leading conference or at-large bid): Charleston, Florida Atlantic, Sam Houston State, Mississippi State, James Madison, Yale, UMass Lowell, Southern Mississippi and Bradley.
Teams that I am stunned that are not in my bracket today: Drake, Oregon, Michigan, USC, Oklahoma State, Florida and UAB.
The non conference schedule is coming to an end here with Exam Week and conference jockeying will begin in full next week.
Teams on the bubble that need to make noise quickly in my eyes are: Oklahoma, Boise State, LSU, Ole Miss, Central Florida and Colorado.
Happy Holidays and a Healthy New Year to everyone and their families. Have fun and enjoy the games as we are in the home stretch of 2022.