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UCLA Basketball: Joe Lunardi’s Bracketology Once Again Has the Bruins as a 3-Seed

By Mike Regalado

Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts after the first half against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts after the first half against the Washington State Cougars at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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ESPN’s Joe Lunardi once again has the UCLA Basketball team as a #3 seed in his latest Bracketology, but what else is new?

The latest Bracketology is up and guess what? ESPN’s Joe Lunardi still does not think the UCLA Basketball team is worthy of anything higher than a 3-seed.

First, let us clear things up, UCLA is not getting a #1 seed. After Arizona blew them up in the semifinals last night, the Bruins would be lucky to get a #2 seed. That does not mean they won’t.

This conference tournament season has been very bizarre and it is anyone’s guess what the actual bracket will look like, especially after the results of this past week. #1 Kansas lost in their first game of the Big 12 Tournament. #6 North Carolina lost to #14 Duke in the ACC semifinals. #13 Purdue lost in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament. It has been truly wacky.

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What is also wacky is how different programs have been seeded, like your UCLA Basketball team. Yes, UCLA had a bad game against Arizona, but it was only their 4th loss of the season. On top of that, a few teams that have apparently weakened UCLA’s strength of schedule, are doing well in the post-season.

Arizona, Oregon, Michigan and Kentucky, all teams UCLA beat this season, made it to their conference championship games. But there is still the fact that they lost to Arizona in the semis.

The Bruins did not do themselves any favors in that loss, but it is curious how other teams seem to be favored in Lunardi’s Bracketology. UNC, loser to Duke and the beholders of 7 losses, is a #1 seed. Duke, loser of 8 games, is a #2 seed. #16 in the AP Poll, Florida State finds themselves as a #3 seed, just like UCLA who is the #3 team in the nation according to the AP.

Anyone else need Tylenol?

This is truly confusing. The best teams should have the top slots, but this is a numbers game for some, even the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee who will reveal the real bracket on Selection Sunday.

Next: UCLA Basketball - Reasons for Optimism

Either way, whatever seed the UCLA Basketball team is given, they still need to win six in a row for a national title, just like every other team in the tourney. At this point, seedings don’t matter. It is win or go home for the Bruins.