Jett’s bracketology is updated every week. These are the projections as of Feb. 5.
South
1. Auburn vs. 16. Morehead State/Bryant
8. Creighton vs. 9. Baylor
5. Ole Miss vs. 12. McNeese
4. Memphis vs. 13. Arkansas State
6. UCLA vs. 11. Georgia
3. Houston vs. 14. Jacksonville State
7. Louisville vs. 10. Ohio State
2. Texas A&M vs. 15. FGCU
West
1. Tennessee vs. 16. American/Southern
8. West Virginia vs. 9. St. Mary’s
5. Arizona vs. 12. UC Irvine
4. Wisconsin vs. 13. Grand Canyon
6. Oregon vs. 11. San Diego State/BYU
3. Kentucky vs. 14. Northern Colorado
7. St. John’s vs. 10. New Mexico
2. Marquette vs. 15. Norfolk State
Midwest
1. Alabama vs. 16. Omaha
8. Oklahoma vs. 9. Utah State
5. Missouri vs. 12. Yale
4. Kansas vs. 13. Akron
6. Michigan vs. 11. Drake
3. Iowa State vs. 14. Cleveland State
7. Clemson vs. 10. Texas
2. Purdue vs. 15. UNC Asheville
East
1. Duke vs. 16. Marist
8. UConn vs. 9. Vanderbilt
5. Illinois vs. 12. VCU
4. Texas Tech vs. 13. Samford
6. Mississippi State vs. 11. Pitt/USC
3. Michigan State vs. 14. UNC Wilmington
7. Maryland vs. 10. Gonzaga
2. Florida vs. 15. Central Connecticut
Last Four In:
San Diego State, BYU, Pitt, USC
First Four out:
Xavier, Arizona State, Arkansas, Wake Forest
Next Four Out:
SMU, UCF, North Carolina, Indiana
Washington State is in a sudden, confusing slump. They have lost their last four games and are 2-6 in their last eight. The numbers point to defense.
The Cougars are 79th in the country in scoring offense but 296th in scoring defense, giving up an average of 75.7 points per game, according to ESPN Stats & Info. They also are 217th in opponent field goal percentage (44%) and 202nd in opponent free throw attempts, with 19.3 per game. On the brightside, the Cougars are 98th in opponent three-point percentage (31.7%).
These numbers show WSU is in the bottom half of defensive stats, except for defending the perimeter. If the Cougars want to be taken seriously, they will need to adjust on defense for the WCC tournament in a month.
