The top five on the D2 side has varied throughout the year and our tournament projections reflect that as only two top seeds look like they will advance to the Elite Eight.
Top seed Lincoln Memorial should get there but playing Queens (NC) for a fourth time will be far from an ‘easy’ win. Western Oregon is the other top seed we see advancing over California Baptist in the West region.
The Index likes three #2 seeds to go to the Elite Eight. Northern State out of the Central who would have to knock out Northwest Missouri State to advance. Bellarmine as just a narrow favorite over top seed Ferris State in the Midwest. And though they went 1-2 against West Texas A&M this season, we see UT – Permian Basin going to the Elite Eight when those two teams meet for a fourth time.
Finally, we see two #4’s and one #5 seed advancing. In the Atlantic region, the StatGeek Index sees West Liberty as a heavy favorite even though they are the fourth-seed. St. Anselm is the narrowest of favorites over top-seeded LeMoyne in the East region and if they can win that one, the index likes them to knock off Bridgeport to advance. Finally, in the South, we’ve got Valdosta St pulling off three upsets to become the lowest seed to advance to the Elite Eight.
Because of the re-seeding process, we’ll stop there but check back next week to see how the StatGeek Index looks at the Elite Eight match-ups.
Elite Eight: Lincoln Memorial, Western Oregon, Northern St., Bellarmine, UT-Permian Basin, West Liberty, St. Anselm and Valdosta St.