Well, this week was interesting. Gonzaga dominated, but both Washington and Washington State split their series in Northern California. They were close losses, The Cougars lost in overtime, but they were losses none the less. The upcoming home games give both teams a shot at gaining ground, but Arizona, newly placed at No. 25 in the most recent poll, is tough draw, and a marquee matchup, for both sides. A win will do a lot for the seedings of both teams
SB Nation: Blogging the Bracket (Updated: 1/18/11)
- Gonzaga Bulldogs: Seventh seed - San Antonio bracket - First- and second-round games in Washington, D.C. - Projected to play the 10th-seeded Colorado Buffaloes - Seed steady
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Washington Huskies: Sixth seed - New Orleans bracket - First and second round games in Denver - Projected to play the 11th-seeded Xavier Musketeers - Seed falling
- Washington State Cougars: No longer in bracket - Included in the "Also Considered" Category
- Pac-10: Arizona (Eighth seed in Anaheim Bracket)
If this bracket holds true: The Zags, as they do for all three projections, travel far east for their game and draw a future Pac-12 team in Colorado. The Huskies get a sixth seed, but they draw a Xavier team, that in my opinion, should be seeded a little higher than where they are. A win for the Cougars over Arizona on Saturday, will do wonders for their projected seeding, and severely damage Arizona's.
CBS Sports: Jerry Palm (Updated: 1/18/11)
- Gonzaga Bulldogs: Ninth seed - New Orleans bracket - First- and second-round games in Cleveland - Projected to play the eighth-seeded Temple Owls
- Washington Huskies: Eighth seed - Anaheim bracket - First- and second-round games in Tucson- Projected to play the ninth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels
- Washington State Cougars: 12th seed - First Four Play-in games played in Dayton - Projected to play the 12th-seeded Cleveland State Vikings
- Pac-10: Arizona (11th seed - Play in game)
If this bracket holds true: The Cougs are in, but they will have to earn it. They fall victim to the first ever at large play-in game. If they, or Cleveland State, want to make it into the sweet 16 then they will have to play three all or nothing, sudden death games in six days. Meanwhile, The Huskies stay near the West Coast until the Final Four, but draw a very tough, and always tricky, North Carolina team and Gonzaga travels east to play the owls.
ESPN: Joe Lunardi (Updated: 1/18/11)
- Gonzaga Bulldogs: Ninth seed - Anaheim bracket - First- and second-round games in Cleveland - Projected to play the eighth-seeded Arizona Wildcats - Seed steady
- Washington Huskies: Fourth seed - San Antonio bracket - First- and second-round games in Denver - Projected to play the 13-seeded Iona Gaels - Seed rising
- Washington State Cougars: No longer in bracket - Included as first team in "Next Four Out" Category
- Pac-10: Arizona (Ninth seed in Anaheim region)
If this bracket holds true: For the second straight week, we have a Gonzaga vs. Arizona prediction (Last week it was Blogging the Bracket who predicted it), and I'm perfectly fine with that. I would absolutely love to see a Wildcat/Bulldog matchup. This is also the best case scenario for The Huskies. A fourth seed is a great placement for a Pac-10 team that will more than likely win the conference. Plus, they get a favorable opening round location and the second best bracket option. Huskies fans should pray that this bracket does hold true.
Don't panic Cougar fans, bracketologists are fickle, fickle people. If the Cougs can pull out two of their next three (ASU, Arizona, and Washington), all at home, they will more then likely be restored to a favorable position in the eyes of the "experts."