Bracketology: NCAA Tournament Projections On Feb. 10

Now that the NFL season has concluded, this is when the college basketball season starts to heat up.  We're nine games into the conference season and once again we're seeing a very weak bubble field.

Aaron Rodgers was the face of the NFL this season.

BYU's Jimmer Fredette has been the face of the college basketball scene.

I do like the way the 68-team bracket is structured.  It has created more parity by the addition of two more at-large teams.

There's going to be four "play-in" games.  Two games will feature the last four teams in the field, while the other two games feature 16th seeded teams.

The two game play-ins from the 16th seeds actually strengthens the field.  It makes the first round games featuring top four seeds more competitive.  For example a team like Belmont would've been a 12th seed last year; I like to think of them as this year's Cornell.  In this year's bracket, they're a 13th seed.

Another thing I must mention, I projected conference tournament winners.  Butler and Gonzaga have struggled this year.  Ultimately I believe Butler finds a way to win the Horizon.  Gonzaga has it a bit tougher; they've already lost to Saint Mary's at the Kennel.  Again, I think the Zags find a way into the field.

Let's take a look at what I believe the bracket would look like today.

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Power Ranking the Starting Left Fielders

Power Ranking the Starting Center Fielders

East (Newark)

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall on January 22, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State won 73-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

1. Ohio State

16. Hampton/Texas Southern

8. West Virginia

9. Georgia

4. North Carolina

13. Coastal Carolina

5. Louisville

12. George Mason

6. Tennessee

11. UCLA

3. BYU

14. Charleston

7. Xavier

10. Wichita State

2. Villanova

15. Vermont

West (Anaheim)

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 29: Marcus Morris #22 and Markieff Morris #21 of the Kansas Jayhawks celebrate during the game against the Kansas State Wildcats on January 29, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

1.  Kansas

16. Long Beach State

8. Vanderbilt

9. Cincinnati

4. Purdue

13. UTEP

5. Arizona

12. St. John’s / Old Dominion

6. Minnesota

11. Marquette

3. Kentucky

14. Fairfield

7. Florida State

10. Kansas State

2. Connectivut

15. Bucknell

Southwest (San Antonio)

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LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 22: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Texas Longhorns motions from the bench during the game against the Kansas Jayhawks on January 22, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

1. Texas

16. Long Island/ Northwestern State

8. UNLV

9. Richmond

4. Syracuse

13. Princeton

5. Wisconsin

12. Virginia Tech/ Washington State

3. San Diego State

14. Kent State

6. Texas A+M

11. Butler

7. Temple

10. Missouri State

2. Notre Dame

15. Murray State

Southeast (New Orleans)

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INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 05: Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils attempts a shot against the Butler Bulldogs during the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke

1. Pittsburgh

16. Northern Colorado

8. Baylor

9. Utah State

4. Florida

13. Belmont

5. Illinois

12. Boston College

3. Georgetown

14. Oakland

6. Missouri

11. Gonzaga

7. Washington

10. Saint Mary’s

2. Duke

15. Florida Atlantic

First 12 Out

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DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a call against the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 1, 2010 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

1. Alabama

2. Oklahoma State

3. Michigan State

4. Penn State

5. Colorado

6. New Mexico

7. Memphis

8. Duquesne

9. Clemson

10. VCU

11. Hofstra

12. UAB