Bracketology: UConn squanders No. 1 seed, Auburn falls out of latest NCAA Tournament projection

UConn relinquished its maintain on the fourth No. 1 seed in CBS Sports Bracketology by falling at dwelling to Creighton91-84, in a surprising Wednesday evening outcome. Houston you may have returned to the No. 1 line, edging UConn, Iowa State and Illinois in what continues to be a decent race for the final spot on the highest line.

The Huskies (24-3, 14-2 Big East) had been favored by 16.5 on their dwelling flooring in opposition to the Bluejays (14-13, 8-8), who entered with 5 losses of their final six video games. After enjoying a handful of shut video games in opposition to middling opposition all through league play, UConn lastly obtained burned.

Creighton soared 10 spots within the NET from 83rd to 73rd because of this of the win. Since the Bluejays are within the prime 75, the sport technically goes down as a Quad 2 loss for UConn. But it was however a nasty dwelling defeat in opposition to a Creighton workforce with nearly no hope of making the NCAA Tournament (outdoors of a run on the Big East Tournament).

As a outcome, Houston has returned to No. 1 seed standing in the meanwhile. The Cougars (23-3, 11-2 Big 12) are coming off a slender Monday loss at Iowa State. But they personal a three-spot edge on Iowa State in Wins Above Bubble, which is a vital resume metric. They even have an edge on the Cyclones within the predictive metrics that seem on NCAA workforce sheets.

For extra on the No. 1 seed race and the NCAA Tournament bubble, maintain scrolling. For now, this is a peak on the prime of the hierarchy.

Bracketology prime seeds

Check out the total subject of 68 at CBS Sports Bracketology hub.

Illinois is within the combine

Illinois demonstrated its high-end potential once more Wednesday evening with 101-65 highway beatdown of a USC workforce that’s preventing for its spot within the NCAA Tournament subject. The win solidified the Illini as a top-five workforce in predictive metrics and additional bolstered resume.
With 5 losses on its ledger, Illinois would not instantly catch the attention and leap out as an apparent No. 1 seed candidate. But once you peel again the layers, it is obvious the Illini belong within the dialog. With nonconference wins over Texas Tech and Tennessee and Big Ten highway wins over Iowa, Purdue and NebraskaIllinois has demonstrated robust upside. Its three league losses are by a mixed eight factors in opposition to high quality opposition, and two of them got here in extra time. Circle subsequent Friday’s dwelling sport in opposition to Michigan. A win there can be onerous to disregard within the race for the fourth No. 1 seed.

Alabama boosts resumes, continues to realize momentum

Alabama’s thrilling 117-115 double-overtime victory over Arkansas on Wednesday catapulted the Crimson Tide from a No. 5 seed to a No. 4 seed, positioning Bama to doubtlessly hear its identify known as throughout Saturday’s bracket preview on CBS that can give an early take a look at the highest 16 seeds. While Arkansas maintains a two-spot edge on Alabama within the NET, the Crimson Tide owns a transparent edge in abstract metrics utilized by the choice committee.

Wins over St. John’s and Illinois away from dwelling in November are paying off for Alabama now. The Crimson Tide has additionally quietly gained 5 straight video games, together with three in a row since center Charles Bediako’s controversial five-game stint with the workforce got here to an finish.

Alabama changed Texas Tech on the No. 4 seed line following the information that Red Raiders star JT Toppin will miss the remainder of the season as a consequence of a torn ACL. Toppin’s loss is anticipated to have a serious impression on the Red Raiders, who will play their first sport with out him on Saturday in opposition to Kansas State.

Bubble motion

Wednesday evening’s outcomes led to vital motion on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Most notably, Auburn plummeted to First Four Out territory following a Quad 2 loss at Mississippi State. It was the Tigers’ fifth consecutive defeat. While Auburn has no losses outdoors the highest two quadrants, it’s now 6-12 in Quads 1 and a pair of and in a chronic tailspin. No groups with a successful share of beneath 54% have acquired an at-large bid in at the very least the previous 5 NCAA Tournaments. Auburn now owns a 53.8% successful share because it prepares to host Kentucky on Saturday.

Other notable bubble outcomes
— Saint Mary’s (No. 11 seed) survived for a 72-70 win at seattle in a sport that got here right down to the ultimate possession.
— Texas A&M (No. 10 seed) snapped a four-game shedding streak by rallying for an 80-77 win over Ole Miss.
— Seton Hall (Next Four Out) suffered a devastating dwelling loss to DePaul.
— West Virginia (Next Four Out) took a possible bubble-busting dwelling loss in opposition to Utah.
— Missouri (Last Four In) survived for an 81-80 win over Vanderbilt.

Here is the total bubble image:

Last Four in

Missouri
Saint Clare
VCU
New Mexico

First Four Out

TCU
Auburn
Ohio State
Lime

Next Four Out

San Diego State
Seton Hall
Arizona State
West Virginia