Selection Sunday is just around the corner, and as conference tournaments wrap up, the NCAA Tournament picture is starting to take shape.
With only five automatic bids left to be determined, teams are making their final push for a spot in the field of 68. The last major conference championship game, the Big Ten title matchup, will conclude at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, just before the official bracket reveal.
The 1-Seeds: Who’s Locked In?
As of now, Auburn, Duke, Houston, and Florida are projected to secure the four coveted No. 1 seeds.
Auburn, despite losing back-to-back games to close the regular season, locked in the No. 1 overall seed after an impressive SEC Tournament victory. Houston is safely on the 1-line, with no real threat of dropping to a 2-seed.
Duke remains in contention for the top overall seed, especially after Auburn’s loss. Florida holds the final seed for now, but Alabama and Tennessee are close behind and could leapfrog the Gators with deep SEC Tournament runs.
Bubble Watch: The Last Teams In and First Teams Out
Several storied programs are sitting uncomfortably on the bubble, hoping for favorable results to secure their spot in March Madness.
- Last Four Byes: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Utah State
- Last Four In: West Virginia, SDSU, North Carolina, Texas
- First Four Out: Xavier, Indiana, Boise State, Ohio State
Among these teams, North Carolina and Texas are in a precarious position. Both need strong performances to avoid slipping out of the field. Meanwhile, Boise State’s loss to Colorado State in the Mountain West Championship may have cost them a ticket to the tournament, leaving them in the “First Four Out” category.
Bid Stealers and Surprise Risers
One of the biggest shake-ups in the tournament field has been Colorado State’s rise from a potential bid stealer to a dangerous tournament team. Their Mountain West Tournament run secured an automatic bid and positioned them as a potential bracket-buster. Meanwhile, St. John’s has climbed all the way to a projected 2-seed after a stunning Big East Tournament performance, surpassing the likes of Kentucky and Texas Tech.
Key Storylines Heading into Selection Sunday
- Can Florida Hold the Final No. 1 Seed? Florida currently occupies the last 1-seed, but Alabama and Tennessee are knocking on the door.
- Big Ten’s Impact on the Bubble: The Big Ten Championship concludes just before the selection show, and its outcome could directly impact bubble teams like Indiana and Ohio State.
- Blue Bloods in Trouble: North Carolina and Indiana are historic programs sitting on the bubble. A bad break on Selection Sunday could leave them watching from home.
- Xavier and Boise State’s Fates Hang in the Balance: Both teams are currently outside the projected field, but surprises in the final automatic bid decisions could shift their fortunes.
KEEP READING: When Is Selection Sunday? Time, Date, and All Details Around NCAA Tournament Announcement
What’s Next
With Selection Sunday almost here, every game and every result matters. Teams on the bubble will hope for minimal bid stealers and favorable outcomes in the final conference tournament games.
The official bracket will be revealed soon, but these projections provide insight into what fans and teams can expect.
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