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It is Chad’s turn again for the HoopsHD Staff Bracket. Unlike the attempts to guess the committee by our expert at that, Jon Teitel, the Staff Bracket is a projection of how the tournament SHOULD be seeded, if it wasn’t for the fact that the Committee makes mistakes every year!
Here is Chad’s current bracket, followed by his Notes and comments from the Staff:
CHAD’S NOTES
– There may have been a debate about the 1 seeds a week ago, but Iowa’s loss to Indiana has made it fairly simple, and Texas clearly belongs up there. The next team up to make the top line is Michigan, but given that the Wolverines are now shut down for the next 2 weeks due to COVID, they may not get up there for a bit.
– Yes, the Crimson Tide are on the 2 line. And deservedly so. They have won 9 in a row and have one of the most impressive collections of wins in the nation. Although the Tide have 3 losses, all outside of Tier 1, those three losses were all to teams that made this field (Clemson, Stanford and Western Kentucky), so they don’t get dinged much for those.
– Missouri. On the 3 line. Yes, I am serious. The Tigers now have five Tier 1 wins, four of which were away from home. Baylor does not even have that.
– Yes, I also have a team without a single road win on the 4 line. Minnesota’s profile, if you ignore where the games were played, is flat out impressive — including three wins over teams seeded higher than their 4 seed! The Gophers cannot stay up here without some road wins, but they will get those chances, And remember, their 4 road losses were to Michigan, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin — four games that the vast majority of the teams in the nation would lose!
– Down on the 12 line, I would have both Western Kentucky and Winthrop rated above three of the four First Four teams, meaning both teams are in line for at-large bids — though for Winthrop, their rating is based mostly on being undefeated and a loss anywhere would knock them out of the at-large picture.
– I am no longer impressed with anything that LSU has done. That is why they are in the First Four. Colorado State and Utah State split with each other this week, leading to both teams barely slipping into the field. Colorado State’s profile is rather intriguing, with only 3 losses — at St Mary’s, at San Diego State and at Utah State. But they also have wins at San Diego State and at Utah State — almost negating those 2 losses. That is why they are in, for now.
– North Carolina was my last team in. Despite winning a couple games this week, the Tar Heels still only have one win against this field, and that was 11 seed Stanford. They have two losses to teams that did not make the field. That is not good enough.
– My top four teams out, in order, were Loyola-Chicago, Pittsburgh, Michigan State and Arkansas. Loyola-Chicago is right on the doorstep of a bid, and I would not be shocked if I have them in next time I do a bracket, assuming they don’t have any missteps.
– Also considered were Providence, Marquette, SMU, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Missouri State, TCU, Wichita State, VCU and Richmond. All these teams have some serious issues, though they all still have a chance to move up into the field.
STAFF NOTES
COMMENTS FROM DAVID
-In regards to Minnesota, I agree with Chad’s comment. If you “ignore” where the games were played that they lost, their resume is flat out impressive! I’ve decided to apply this logic to other teams! Take Western Kentucky, for instance. If you ignore the games they’ve lost, their resume looks fantastic! You could put them on the #4 line too!! NO TEAM DESERVES A PROTECTED SEED THAT HASN’T WON A ROAD GAME!!!!!! C’MON CHAD!!!!!
-I’m not as in love with Iowa as most other people are. I still have them solidly as a protected seed, but I don’t have them within reach of the #1 line. When they’ve played #1 seed caliber teams, (Gonzaga, and Minnesota who is a protected seed caliber team at home), they’ve lost. Their best win is at Maryland, which is good, but not #1 seed good.
-I know Oklahoma State lost to Baylor over the weekend, but I don’t see how they’re not a solid protected seed not just in Chad’s bracket, but in virtually everyone else’s. I think they are better than what most people think, and that can only mean that I am right and all the other people are wrong!
-Chad’s bracket is lousy! It’s stupid! Granted, I agree with a lot of it, BUT IT IS STILL A STUPID AND….well….(other words that are synonymous with stupid) BRACKET!!! WHY IS CHAD STILL THE HOST!!????
