Bracketology Shake-Up: UConn Takes Top Spot as Houston Slides, Iowa State Surges
We’re still a few weeks out from Selection Sunday, but the bracket is already starting to take shape-and it's shifting fast. The latest update has Connecticut jumping into a No. 1 seed, bumping Houston down a line after a tough road loss in Ames. The Cougars fell 70-67 to Iowa State on Monday night, and that result rippled across the top of the bracket.
Let’s start with the new No. 1s. UConn reclaims its spot on the top line after steadying itself from a stumble at St.
John’s. The Huskies responded with conference wins over Butler and Georgetown, showing the kind of bounce-back mentality you want to see from a championship contender.
They’re joined by Michigan, Arizona, and Duke-three programs that, along with UConn, have built a strong case with a combined 35-6 record in Quad 1 games. That’s not just good; that’s elite-level résumé building.
And speaking of résumés, Iowa State is quietly putting together one of the more impressive ones in the country. The Cyclones are now the highest-rated No. 2 seed after stacking back-to-back statement wins against Kansas and Houston.
Saturday’s 74-56 rout of the Jayhawks wasn’t just a win-it was a message. Then came Monday’s gritty win over Houston, and suddenly Iowa State is a team no one wants to see in their region.
Houston, meanwhile, takes a step back. The Cougars' loss to Iowa State knocks them off the No. 1 line, but this is still a team with the tools to make a deep run. It’s more about timing and seeding now, and that slip could have implications come March.
Kansas also takes a hit, dropping to a No. 3 seed after the Iowa State loss cooled off what had been a red-hot stretch. The Jayhawks had rattled off eight wins in nine games, including victories over BYU, Texas Tech, Arizona, and even Iowa State the first time around. But this latest loss dents their momentum heading into the final stretch.
Michigan State finds itself sliding as well. The Spartans have dropped three of their last four, and while two of those came against solid competition in Michigan and Wisconsin, the third-a road loss to Minnesota-hurts.
The Gophers are just 4-10 in Big Ten play and sit 86th in the NET rankings. That’s the kind of blemish that selection committees don’t overlook.
Bubble Watch: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
The last four teams currently projected in the field are Georgia, UCLA, Ohio State, and TCU. All four are walking the tightrope, and every game from here on out is going to feel like a mini tournament.
Just on the outside looking in: New Mexico, California, Missouri, and Santa Clara. These are the teams still very much in the conversation, but they’ll need a strong finish-and maybe a little help-to punch their ticket.
As we head into the home stretch, the margins are razor-thin. One big win-or one bad loss-can shift a team’s entire postseason outlook.
For now, UConn leads the pack, Iowa State is surging, and the bubble is as volatile as ever. Buckle up.
March is coming.