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Bracketology: Final No. 1 seed up for grabs

Arcidiacono

AP Photo

AP

Arcidiacono

AP Photo

AP

After a somewhat crazy Thursday, the bubble continues to shift in multiple directions. And with Villanova’s stunning loss to Seton Hall, the final No. 1 seed slot is wide open as action resumes throughout the college hoops landscape. Kansas, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Virginia all take to the hardwood with their eyes on the top of the East Region. We also can’t completely eliminate teams like Syracuse.

Quick notes about today’s (March 14) bracket update ...

Florida State slides into the final at-large spot. One could go any number of directions among the bubble contenders, but the Seminoles have a couple of small advantages: non-conference wins over two tournament teams (VCU, Massachusetts) and a road win at Pittsburgh. As a side note, FSU lost to Michigan by two and Florida by one in its pre-conference slate. By comparison, Providence and Minnesota have done their best work at home and neither has two NCAA-level non-league wins. We’ll see how the Seminoles fare moving forward. Next up: Virginia. It’s Moving Day - Part II on the bubble.

More...

RELATED: Thursday’s Bubble Banter

Missouri and Minnesota have statement opportunities today. The Tigers play Florida; Minnesota plays Wisconsin.

Seton Hall joins the Bid Thief Watch. If the Pirates upset Providence they will be one victory from an automatic bid.

Southern Methodist (SMU) remains on the right side of the bubble, but the Mustangs could be closer to the edge than many think. A horrible non-conference schedule could be even more in play after Thursday’s loss to Houston. SMU is just 4-6 vs. Top 100 RPI teams (albeit four good wins) and owns a victory at Connecticut. But they’ve also lost to South Florida, Temple, and the aforementioned Cougars. SMU ended the season losing three straight.
RECAP: All of Thursday’s relevant college hoops action here

Arkansas falls into the First Five OUT after losing to South Carolina. Cal remains in that group as well following its loss to Colorado. While both likely need help to re-enter the bracket. Let’s wait until more resumes are complete before casting a final decision.

We’ll see what’s in store today.

UPDATED: March 14, 2014
MORE: Who has a bid on the line on Friday?

Teams in CAPS represent AUTOMATIC bids. Exceptions are made for teams that use an abbreviation (UCLA, BYU, etc).

Several new bracketing principles were introduced after last year’s tournament. You can read them for yourself at www.ncaa.com. For example: teams from the same conference may now meet before a Regional final, even if fewer than eight teams are selected. The goal is to keep as many teams as possible on their actual seed line.

FIRST FOUR PAIRINGS - Dayton (First Round)


  • BYU vs. Tennessee | South Region
  • SMU vs. Florida State | East Region
  • Alabama State vs. Weber State | Midwest Region
  • MT ST. MARY’S vs. COASTAL CAROLINA | East Region

BRACKET PROJECTION ...

SOUTH - MemphisWEST - Anaheim
OrlandoSan Diego
1) Florida1) Arizona
16) WOFFORD16) Utah Valley
8) Kansas State8) George Washington
9) Colorado9) GONZAGA
OrlandoSan Diego
5) Ohio State5) Oklahoma
12) BYU / Tennessee12) Toledo
4) Louisville4) Michigan State
13) S.F. Austin13) NORTH DAKOTA ST
BuffaloSan Antonio
6) New Mexico6) Baylor
11) Xavier11) Nebraska
3) Syracuse3) Creighton
14) MERCER14) UC-Irvine
MilwaukeeRaleigh
7) VCU7) Kentucky
10) Arizona State10) Saint Joseph’s
2) Wisconsin2) Virginia
15) AMERICAN15) Stony Brook
EAST - New YorkMIDWEST - Indianapolis
BuffaloSt. Louis
1) Villanova1) WICHITA STATE
16) CO CAROLINA / MT ST. MARY’S16) Weber State / Alabama State
8) Oklahoma State8) Memphis
9) Stanford9) Oregon
SpokaneSpokane
5) North Carolina5) Texas
12) Louisiana Tech12) HARVARD
4) San Diego State4) Duke
13) DELAWARE13) MANHATTAN
San AntonioRaleigh
6) Massachusetts6) Saint Louis
11) SMU / Florida State11) Pittsburgh
3) Iowa State3) Cincinnati
14) EASTERN KENTUCKY14) Georgia State
MilwaukeeSt. Louis
7) Connecticut7) UCLA
10) Dayton10) Iowa
2) Michigan2) Kansas
15) NC-Central15) MILWAUKEE

NOTES on the BRACKET: Florida remains the overall No. 1 seed followed by Arizona, Wichita State, and Villanova.

Last Five teams in (at large): Xavier, SMU, Tennessee, BYU, Florida State

First Five teams out (at large): Providence, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, California

Next five teams out (at large): Southern Miss, Illinois, Green Bay, Georgetown, St. John’s

Breakdown by Conference ...

Big 12 (7): Kansas, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma State

Pac 12 (6): Arizona, UCLA, Stanford, Arizona State, Oregon, Colorado

Atlantic 10 (6): Massachusetts, VCU, Saint Louis, George Washington, Saint Joseph’s, Dayton

Big Ten (6): Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska

ACC (6): Duke, Virginia, Syracuse, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Florida State

American (5): Louisville, Memphis, Connecticut, Cincinnati, SMU

SEC (3): Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee

Big East (3): Creighton, Villanova, Xavier

Mountain West (2): New Mexico, San Diego State

West Coast (2): GONZAGA, Brigham Young

Missouri Valley (1): Wichita State

Conference Automatic Qualifiers ... Louisiana Tech (C-USA), EASTERN KENTUCKY (Ohio Valley), Georgia State (Sun Belt), AMERICAN (Patriot), NORTH DAKOTA STATE (Summit), MILWAUKEE (Horizon), WOFFORD (Southern), Utah Valley (WAC), MANHATTAN (MAAC), Stephen F. Austin (Southland), Toledo (MAC), MERCER (A-Sun), HARVARD (IVY), UC-Irvine (Big West), DELAWARE (Colonial), Stony Brook (American East), Weber State (Big Sky), NC-Central (MEAC), COASTAL CAROLINA (Big South), MOUNT ST. MARY’S (NEC), Alabama State (SWAC)