Kansas Takes Two-Seed Drop in CBS Sports’ Bracketology
Jerry Palm’s latest edition of CBSSports.com’s ‘Bracketology’ saw a disturbance in Big 12 seeding with the Kansas Jayhawks.
Palm’s newest 68-team field, released Jan. 25, saw seven Big 12 teams make the field, but the Jayhawks saw a significant dip in seeding after being a No. 2 seed in Palm’s bracket on Jan. 22.
After losses to Baylor and Oklahoma, Palm dropped the Jayhawks to a No. 4 seed, facing Liberty in the first round as part of the Hinkle 1 Region.
Palm saw no reason to drop Baylor or Texas from their previous seeding. Baylor remained a No. 1 seed, as the Bears have all season, and in Palm’s view they would play either Montana State or UMBC in the first round. Baylor is the top seed in the Hinkle 2 Region.
Texas, which didn’t play last week due to COVID protocols at their Big 12 opponents, Iowa State and TCU, remained a No. 2 seed. Palm has the Longhorns playing Northeastern in the first round as part of the Bankers Life 1 Region.
Texas head coach Shaka Smart tested positive for COVID-19, it was announced on Monday.
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Texas Tech didn’t play last week, either, as the Red Raiders had the same problem as Texas — COVID protocols at Iowa State and TCU. But the Red Raiders remained a No. 3 seed in Palm’s view and would play UAB in the first round in the Bankers Life Region.
West Virginia got back on the floor last weekend after a two-week break due to COVID protocols. The Mountaineers defeated Kansas State and remained a No. 4 seed according to Palm. The Mountaineers would play Bryant in the first round in the Bankers Life 2 Region.
Oklahoma saw the biggest jump in its seeding after a week in which it defeated Kansas State and Kansas. The Sooners moved from a No. 9 seed to a No. 6 seed. The Sooners would play Seton Hall in the first round in the Hinkle 1 Region.
Oklahoma State fell to Baylor last weekend, but the Cowboys remained a healthy seed in Palm’s view, dropping just one seed to No. 6 in the Hinkle 1 Region. The Cowboys would face Colorado State in the first round.
In case you’re wondering, the Cowboys’ postseason ban is still under appeal. If the appeal isn’t heard by the start of the NCAA Tournament, the Cowboys would likely be able to play in the event.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard. Send him a tweet with your question to be included in this week’s Big 12 Basketball Mailbag, which appears each Friday during the conference season.
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