The Varying States of Bracketology
The 2020–21 college basketball season is unique. All involved — coaches, players, administrators, media, fans — can expect postponements, cancellations and adjustments to the normal cycle of games and the postseason.
This includes the NCAA tournament, which is under the largest microscope after the abrupt end to the 2019–20 season. The 2021 tourney is on schedule, albeit at a single site.
In addition to the standard 68-team NCAA projections, Bracketology now includes 48-team and 16-team versions. The truth is there is no way to know at this point what Selection Sunday will bring, so all bases must be covered .
68 Teams
Bracket Watch
Michigan State's convincing win at Duke makes for an easy swap on the top line, with Sparty surpassing the Blue Devils as the fourth No. 1 seed. Iowa, despite being No. 3 in both major polls, has played only low-major competition heading into its ACC/Big Ten Challenge encounter with North Carolina. The Hawkeyes also have top-ranked Gonzaga on the docket later this month, so the path to a No. 1 is clear for Luka Garza & Co.
On the Bubble
68-Team Bracket
First Four
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16 F. Dickinson
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11 NC State
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11 Xavier
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16 TX Southern
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16 Norfolk St.
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12 Syracuse
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12 Memphis
Region 1
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12 W. Kentucky
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6 Michigan
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3 Texas
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14 Wright St.
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7 Oregon
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10 Clemson
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2 Iowa
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15 S.F. Austin
Region 4
Region 2
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1 Baylor
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13 Vermont
Region 3
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11 Purdue
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14 Murray St.
48 Teams
Bracket Watch
A week ago, Kentucky was on the bubble for one of the last spots in our 16-team projection. Two losses later and the Wildcats are "Last Four In" for the projected 48-team field. With three of their next four scheduled against Notre Dame, UCLA and Louisville, the downward trend might continue. The 'Cats could be out of even the 68-team projection if things don't turn around quickly in Lexington.
On the Bubble
48-Team Bracket
Region 1
Region 4
Region 2
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1 Baylor
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12 Murray St.
Region 3
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8 Richmond
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9 Alabama
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4 Virginia
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5 Ohio St.
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12 Wright St.
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11 Georgia St.
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10 W. Kentucky
16 Teams
Bracket Watch
North Carolina slips into the 16-team field this week due to the hard cap of four bids per conference. Texas Tech is actually the 16th team on the latest seed list but would be a prohibited fifth entry from the Big 12. That bumps the Tar Heels into the last position in the bracket and a pairing with No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga. UNC could obviously improve upon that draw at Iowa in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.