Our NIT Bracketology is, again, updated. As always, it is electric. Some highlights:
- In the top left corner, we have a rematch of the 1994 Orange Bowl: Nebraska vs. Florida State.
- Providence is still in an Old Big East showdown, this time against Syracuse.
- Reigning champion North Texas is no longer matched up with reigning MVP Tylor Perry, but the Mean Green do stay in-state, meeting Texas in Austin.
- There are four teams named the Bulldogs in the bracket. Three of those are in the same region, and Georgia and Samford play one another in the first round.
- 13 teams moved into the field. Among the highlights: Ohio State, Miami, Maryland, and Oregon.
- We’re down to six ACC teams (plus SMU), and we lost USC.
Last Four In, First Four Out (on the high side):
- In, from least safe to safest: Nebraska, Saint Mary’s, Ohio State, Providence.
- Out, from closest to furthest: Iowa, Florida, Mississippi, Princeton. (Bonus: Seton Hall, because Princeton’s in automatic bid limbo.)
Last Four In, First Four Out (on the low side):
- In, from least safe to safest: Appalachian State, UNLV, Maryland, Samford. (Bonus: Bradley, because Samford’s in automatic bid limbo.)
- Out, from closest to furthest: USC, Richmond, LSU, St. Bonaventure. (Bonus: Indiana, because USC’s projecting to finish below .500 which might keep them out especially if no one gets in via automatic bid with a sub-.500 record.)
In the mix (further teams on the low side):
- Should finish .500 or better: Indiana, Boston College, Pitt, Saint Joe’s, Akron, Minnesota.
- Should finish worse than .500: Michigan, Rutgers, Arkansas.
Here’s the beautiful thing, to print out and tape to your bedroom ceiling now that you can’t do that with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues:
