Kansas basketball, Big 12 look good in early bracketology

Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Lagerald Vick (2) dunks during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Lagerald Vick (2) dunks during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas basketball fans love braketology.  Bill Self’s 2017-18 team is sitting right where you might expect in the new Joe Lunardi bracket.

Yes, we are a long way from March Madness.  On the other hand, Kansas basketball fans are glued 12-months a year to anything that includes March Madness.

ESPN college basketball guru Joe Lunardi never stops thinking about the NCAA basketball Tournament. It is his life. He studies a massive amount of information to keep fans entertained. He last compiled a bracket in April and then gave his brain a rest.

His new bracket, released a few days ago, is based on the fact that team rosters are set for 2017-18 season. Players who were considering the NBA and didn’t sign with an agent made their decisions.

The Big 12 Conference and Kansas basketball look good in this bracket.  As you might imagine, Lunardi lists Bill Self’s 2017-18 team as a number one seed.  He includes a Pac-12 team, one from the SEC and another from the ACC as the other top seeds.

In addition to the top seed, Kansas basketball is listed along with 7 other Big 12 teams in the ‘Big Dance’ bracket.  Lunardi also included 8 ACC teams. As a matter of fact, the bracket surprised me with TCU listed as a 9 seed and Baylor a 7.  Lunardi list of bubble teams included Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa State.

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With a new head coach in Stillwater, Lunardi mentions Oklahoma State among the first four out.  Texas Tech is listed among the last four in. In Lunardi’s mythical tournament, the Jayhawks travel to Wichita to meet the winner of the play in game between Idaho and Lamar.  In the next round Lunardi has Kansas facing the Wisconsin-Vanderbilt winner.

Bracketology is fun. I’m glad Lunardi and the other experts keep us entertained.