Hoops HD Staff Bracket – Friday, December 6th

This week, it is someone’s turn besides the Puppet to make a bracket for the NCAA Tournament. This is merely a checkpoint if the season were to end today – this is based on merit and not what we think the bracket will look like in March. Without further ado, here is the bracket:

First Four Out: UCLA, Cincinnati, Arizona, Wichita State

Worth An Early Look: New Mexico, Colorado State, The Rest of the SEC

The big winners during Feast Week were Auburn and Oregon – the Tigers won the Maui Invitational and the Ducks won the Players Era Invitational in Las Vegas. Kentucky could have been #1 overall if not for a loss at Clemson, but certainly forgiveable when they already have a neutral-court win against Duke on their ledger.

Teams like Cincinnati and Arizona are currently not in the bracket with a lack of wins against the top 2 quadrants of the NET – but then again, this is an indication of a December checkpoint as opposed to where I believe they’ll finish in March. I know Louisville has done enough so far to merit at-large consideration, but now are going to have to show they can win without Kasean Pryor in their lineup (out for the season with a torn ACL).