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NCAA women’s basketball bracketology: Oregon, South Dakota, and more rewarded for non-conference wins

By Russell Steinberg

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KNOXVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 04: Baylor Bears forward/center Kalani Brown (21) tries to go inside against Tennessee Lady Volunteers center Mercedes Russell (21) during a game between the Baylor Lady Bears and Tennessee Lady Volunteers on December 4, 2016, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. Baylor defeated the Lady Vols 88-66. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 04: Baylor Bears forward/center Kalani Brown (21) tries to go inside against Tennessee Lady Volunteers center Mercedes Russell (21) during a game between the Baylor Lady Bears and Tennessee Lady Volunteers on December 4, 2016, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. Baylor defeated the Lady Vols 88-66. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Waco:

1. Baylor (Big 12)
16. Troy (Sun Belt)

8. Arizona State
9. Michigan

Tallahassee:

5. Kentucky
12. Belmont (OVC)

4. Florida State
13. Middle Tennessee State (CUSA)

Baylor’s issue last year was that its non-conference schedule was far weaker than other teams in the running for a 1 seed. The Bears have had no such problem this season. They’ve won at Arizona State and South Carolina, and also beat South Dakota State on a neutral court.

Kentucky could actually be ranked higher, though it remains to be seen how will wins over USF, UCLA, and North Carolina will age. Thankfully for the Wildcats, the SEC is loaded with opportunities.

Palo Alto

6. Virginia Tech
11. Maine (America East)

3. Stanford
14. James Madison (CAA)

Starkville

7. UCF
10. Duke

2. Mississippi State (SEC)
15. Mercer (Southern)

The Selection Committee puts a lot of stock in road wins, and UCF opened the season with four on the road and six away from its home court. The Knights won five of those games and haven’t lost in a month. The downside is that Villanova and Duquesne are their most impressive wins to date (meh), but a win over Syracuse this weekend could be a make-or-break moment for those with dreams of a three-bid American.

Mississippi State was actually the fourth 1 seed until its completely excusable loss at Oregon on Tuesday. Is that totally fair? No. But facts are facts and the Ducks now have a better resume.

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