NCAA Tournament bracketology: Blue-bloods back near the top of the seeding after off year

Last season marked one of the worst for men's college basketball's elite programs that have been atop the sport in different variations for decades.

Consider that a fluke season.

In assessing the top seeding lines in USA TODAY Sports' first bracket projection for the 2021-22 campaign, one thing is hard to miss: Blue-blood programs are back this year.

Following a résumé-boosting victory over Baylor this weekend, Kansas vaulted up the seeding line to secure one of the four No. 1 seeds alongside Auburn, Gonzaga and Purdue.

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COLLEGE BASKETBALL:Winners and losers from the weekend

Kentucky and Duke are near the No. 2 line. They are back in great seeding positions following ugly seasons that saw them both miss the NCAA Tournament – the first time that's happened since 1976. Joining Kentucky and Duke as projected No. 2 seeds are reigning national champ Baylor and a revitalized Arizona program that's emerged ahead of UCLA in the Pac-12 title race.

Although it's early February and there's still plenty of basketball left to be played, it's fair to say that Kansas, Duke and Kentucky are back to where we're used to seeing them. All three blue-bloods have a shot at securing a No. 1 seed on Selection Sunday.

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