Arizona Wildcats find their claws, rise in latest NCAA men’s Bracketology projections

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Pretty much any coach in the country will tell you the number next to their team’s name doesn’t matter, but when it comes to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, that digit can influence whether a team is a one-and-done participant or on its way to the Final Four.

Of course, having the top seeds won’t ensure a national championship, but it certainly makes the quest for one easier. The better seeded teams get to start the tournament closer to home — greater chance for bigger fan presence — and can get favorable draws while others may have to go through a gauntlet. As the tournament nears, teams are jockeying for position in the field, trying to give themselves the best chance for success in March.

Getting into the tournament is one thing, but it’s a whole other challenge to ensure the best possible path to the Final Four. Here are the teams on the rise in the latest USA TODAY Sports Bracketology, and which teams are stumbling down the seed line.

Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Chance McMillian (0) high fives guard Kerwin Walton (24) during the first half against the Houston Cougars at Fertitta Center.

Rising:

Florida

Current projected seed: No. 1 (West)

The Gators became the third SEC team projected to be a top seed, and Florida has the resume to back it up. Although they didn’t look good in a 20-point loss to a depleted Tennessee team Saturday, the Gators have navigated conference play and already owns a victory against the Volunteers. Florida can really make a strong case for its positioning on the road against Auburn on Saturday.

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Texas A&M

Current projected seed: No. 3 (Midwest)

A team contending for a double-bye in the SEC tournament, Texas A&M continues to stockpile on those precious Quad 1 victories with seven of them, the fourth most in the country. The Aggies have won four of their last five games, with the lone defeat coming on a last-second shot against Texas. They are also in one of the easier…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/arizona-wildcats-claws-rise-latest-204948912.html

Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic

Publish date : 2025-02-05 20:49:00

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