It is Chad’s turn to post the HoopsHD Staff Bracket this week. Below is his current take on where teams stand through all games of Thursday, February 26. His notes on the bracket and responses from other members of the HoopsHD Staff follow as well. If you have any thoughts on his field, feel free to shoot them to us on X at @HoopsHD!
CHAD’S NOTES
- Although the Cal vs Santa Clara game is on the 12 line, this was a move required for bracketing purposes and I in fact would have them as my top 2 teams among the First Four. San Diego State and Auburn were my last two teams in. South Florida is not inside my bubble, they were just the top 12 seed that moved up a line when the First Four game was moved down one.
- My top four teams out were, in order, VCU, Ohio State, Indiana and New Mexico. The next four out were USC, Va Tech, Seton Hall and West Virginia.
- Florida is now squarely on the 2 line for me. The Gators look almost unstoppable these days. I don’t know if they will reach the 1 line, but it is possible. Houston, on the other hand, now looks like a 3 seed to me. They have come up short against almost every one of their top opponents this season.
- Saint Louis lost another head-scratcher, this time to Dayton, but should still be ok for an at-large bid if they slip up in the A-10 tournament. The Billikens better win out the rest of their regular season though!
- I was very hesitant about putting Auburn in my field, as 15-13 overall should be disqualifying in and of itself. The Tigers grabbed my last at-large spot based on the #1 SOS in the nation and several great wins, including at Florida. They really do not have any margin for error left the rest of the season.
- In an Under the Radar note, Utah Valley is now listed as my WAC Champion based on their TRO victory in their lawsauit against the conference. Their ability to participate in the WAC Tournament, however, will not be finalized until the preliminary injuction hearing that is scheduled for today is decided. (Really Griggs, you want us to believe that our resident attorney doesn’t know how to spell lawsuit?) (Really Stalica? You expect me to not typo when I am working with a torn rotator cuff?)
STAFF COMMENTS
From Stalica:
- I thought UConn would have a tough time getting back on the 1 line after losing at home to Creighton, but they just blew St. John’s back to the sun with a blowout win against the Johnnies. I would suggest that they not hit the cruise control button again, however.
- I’m starting to jump off of the BYU bandwagon, but their unique bracketing situation may have kept them on the 6-line anyhow. While losing at home to UCF wasn’t a complete surprise, getting blown out by the Knights at home was.
- Kentucky may be one of the hardest teams to bracket in this field. I also personally have them as my last #7 seed in the bracket, but they have shown they can beat quality teams anywhere in the country, home or hostile crowd. Sometimes both at the same time!
- Texas might be Kentucky Lite, but the main difference here is that two of their losses were against non-tournament teams. That shouldn’t warrant a 3-line difference between the two teams. I’d personally have swapped Saint Mary’s and the Horns in this bracket.
- San Diego State probably should be at least in the Top 8 out of Chad’s field. While wins against Utah State and New Mexico are all they have of substance, they are at least co-leaders in the Mountain West. They deserve a cursory mention. Not West Virginia who couldn’t even beat an Oklahoma State team that’s fallen off the map.
- While Chad has Wright State listed as the Horizon League representative right now, does anyone honestly believe they’re winning the league tournament? I’m picking Robert Morris to win the conference tournament this year. Which begs the question – does it count as back to back appearances if Morris Robert won the auto bid last year and Robert Morris does so this year?
From David Griggs:
-Chad’s bracket gets an F!!! HE FAILS!!! I haven’t actually looked at it yet, but I don’t like him and I know whatever he did was wrong!!
-I still think Arizona is the best team and that they have the best profile. I think they should be the overall #1. It may not matter that much because they’ll almost assuredly be in the West and in San Diego regardless, but their profile is amazing. I also agree with UConn being back on the #1 line. I know they have a very much non-one-seed loss to Creighton, but I think they’ve done enough despite that.
-I find it interesting that Chad has five SEC teams in the lower half of the bracket. I don’t disagree with any of the selections or seedings. I’m just thinking that has to be some sort of record for a conference to have that many.
