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So here we go, the bracket is live. We’re sorry you’ve had to endure whatever that selection was. Time to see where the beloved are headed and for some tasty hottaeks.
East
Top Seed: Villanova
B1G Teams: Purdue (2-seed)
Boilerman’s Kneejerk reaction: I like this draw. I like this draw very much. The Boilers get a West Coast team in Detroit and get either Arkansas or Butler in the Round of 32. Of the 1-seeds, I’m good with Villanova as they’ve shown some vulnerability with putting good teams away.
Midwest
Top Seed: Kansas
B1G Teams: Michigan State (3-seed)
Boilerman’s Kneejerk reaction: If Sparty wants to get back to the Final Four, the gauntlet has been thrown. Their pod is a decent draw, but Duke potentially awaits in the Sweet 16 along with Kansas in Omaha. Izzo has the talent to make it, but it won’t be easy.
South
Top Seed: Virginia
B1G Teams: None
Boilerman’s Kneejerk reaction: The bracket of overachievers and no B1G teams. Fitting really. Not much analysis at this point. Virginia will be the favorite to get to San Antonio.
West
Top Seed: Xavier
B1G Teams: Michigan (3-seed), Ohio State (5-seed)
Boilerman’s Kneejerk reaction: Oof, welcome to the bracket of death. Ohio State’s reward for their season? A trip out West against a dangerous SDSU squad and if they get past that, Gonzaga awaits. Michigan’s side sets up a little better in their pod. North Carolina awaits in the Sweet 16 is the chalk holds. Intriguing opportunity for the Fighting Beileins.
Well, there it is. Let’s have some fun. Go B1G or go home.