Where Bracketology Projections Have BYU Entering WCC Tournament

LAS VEGAS – Now that the calendar has turned to March, bracketology projections are changing on a daily occurrence.

BYU begins its postseason journey on Friday night as they take on Loyola Marymount in the second round of the 2022 WCC Tournament.

Provo, UT 👉 Las Vegas, NV pic.twitter.com/dinaglDZg8

— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) March 4, 2022

Friday night is a must-win for BYU. A loss to a Quad 4 Lions squad would end any hopes of BYU securing an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Winning on Friday night would bolster the resume much at all –unless they blowout LMU– but it would give them a chance to play Quad 1, San Francisco, in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

BYU currently sits at No. 53 in the NCAA’s NET rankings and 48 in Ken Pomeroy’s predictive ratings.

Here’s a roundup of notable bracketology projections for BYU heading into the Cougars WCC Tournament run.

BYU Basketball Bracketology Projections

As of March 4th

ESPN: First Four Out

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has remained consistent since BYU’s loss to Saint Mary’s in February that BYU is a “First Four Out” team. Others joining BYU in “First Four Out” territory, according to Joey Brackets, including Indiana, SMU, and Virginia Tech.

Lunardi has Loyola Chicago as the last team in the field of 68. The Ramblers begin their Missouri Valley Conference Tournament on Friday.

CBS Sports: 11-seed vs. Iowa State

CBS Sports analyst Jerry Palm has remained consistent that not only BYU will be in the field of 68, but they will avoid the “First Four” round in Dayton. Palm has BYU as an 11-seed against future Big 12 foe Iowa State. Iowa State is 20-10 on the season, but nearly half of their victories have come against quad one teams.

The Cyclones have played 15 Q1 games this season. Just another example that Big 12 basketball probably can’t come soon enough for BYU as it will provide a wider margin for error.

FOX Sports: First Four Out

BYU is the third team in FOX’s “First Four Out.” In front of them are Miami and Rutgers. Behind them is Loyola Chicago.

Heat Check CBB: First Four Out

BYU is with Loyola Chicago, Florida, and Rutgers in this group.

NCAA Digital: Next Four Out

After BYU lost to Saint Mary’s, NCAA digital correspondent Andy Katz dropped BYU to “Next Four Out” territory and has kept them there. Next Four Out would put BYU as the sixth team outside the tournament.

SB Nation: First Team Out

SBN’s bracketology projection has BYU as team No. 69. What’s interesting about this bracket is WCC foe San Francisco is only two spots in front of them, setting up a potential Saturday night win or go home game.

Sports Illustrated: First Team Out

SI also has BYU as the first team outside their bracket. The four teams in front of BYU are Michigan, Loyola Chicago, North Carolina, and Indiana. If you’re a conspiracy theorist, it’s hard to imagine the NCAA not leaving out the chance to have some of those bluebloods squaring off in Dayton on the opening nights of the tournament.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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