Austin:
2. Texas (Big 12)
15. Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
7. Stanford
10. Ball State
I kept Ball State in the field despite three MAC losses, but it was a tough call. Ultimately, it came down to this: The Cardinals three losses have all been to RPI top-50 teams, with the worst one coming on the road, and in the non-conference, they won at Purdue and beat both Butler and Western Kentucky. Their margin for error is 0.
Columbus:
3. Ohio State (Big Ten)
14. Drake (Missouri Valley)
6. Villanova (Big East)
11. Quinnipiac (MAAC)
The Buckeyes are about as strong a 3 seed as you’ll see. But you have to knock them for back-to-back losses to Michigan and Maryland. It doesn’t get easier, either, with Iowa and Michigan State up next. Villanova’s loss to Marquette was excusable, but combined with a loss to St. John’s and a head-scratcher against Penn and…the Wildcats are trending down.