Bracketology: Houston, Florida rise in latest NCAA projection

Defending national champion Florida and runner-up Houston are climbing in USA TODAY Sports’ latest men’s basketball bracketology update.

After a sluggish start that included nonconference losses to Arizona, TCU, Duke and Connecticut, the Gators have moved to a No. 3 seed and within a half-game of first place in the SEC.

Florida has lost just twice in nearly two months and now has a combined 10 Quad 1 and 2 wins. On Sunday, the Gators shot 51.3% from the field and had a plus-16 turnover margin in a 100-77 win against Alabama.

Meanwhile, Houston steps up to the No. 2 line after rebounding from a road loss to Texas Tech with wins against TCU and Cincinnati.

After playing just four true away games to date, the Cougars are set to face a daunting Big 12 road slate down the stretch, including dates at Brigham Young, Iowa State and Kansas.

Notable fallers in the bracket include No. 3 seed Nebraska, which has recently lost high-profile conference games against Michigan and Illinois, and No. 6 seed Arkansas, which drops a line after losing at home to Kentucky.