It’s time to break those dancing shoes out of the closet and dust them off. March has arrived, and teams will soon be punching their tickets to the Big Dance. Before the tournament arrives, there is still much to be decided over the next two weeks. They call it madness for a reason: bubbles will pop, cases will be made, and top seeds will tumble. The next six weeks are what college basketball fans live for.
As the power conferences finish their regular seasons this week, we get to focus on those teams we dream about making the Cinderella run that has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. For that to happen, their season’s work comes down to a handful of days in their conference tournament. For a large majority of teams competing in tournaments this week, it truly is a win-or-go-home scenario. Here is what the field looks like before teams lock up their spots in the Big Dance.
Midwest Region (Chicago)
Philadelphia
1.) Michigan vs. 16.) Long Island
8.) NC State vs. 9.) Indiana
Portland
5.) Arkansas vs. 12.) South Florida
4.) Virginia vs. 13.) Utah Valley
Greenville
6.) Tennessee vs. 11.) Miami (OH)
3.) Kansas vs. 14.) High Point
Oklahoma City
7.) Saint Louis vs. 10.) Missouri
2.) Houston vs. 15.) Navy
East Region (Washington, D.C.)
Greenville
1.) Duke vs. 16.) Howard/Tennessee State
8.) Texas vs. 9.) Iowa
San Diego
5.) St. John's vs. 12.) Liberty
4.) Michigan State vs. 13.) UNC-Wilmington
Oklahoma City
6.) Kentucky vs. 11.) TCU/Santa Clara
3.) Texas Tech vs. 14.) North Dakota State
St. Louis
7.) Villanova vs. 10.) Auburn
2.) Illinois vs. 15.) Wright State
West Region (San Jose)
San Diego
1.) Arizona vs. 16.) UMBC/Bethune Cookman
8.) Utah State vs. 9.) SMU
Portland
5.) North Carolina vs. 12.) Yale
4.) Gonzaga vs. 13.) UC-Irvine
Buffalo
6.) BYU vs. 11.) Ohio State/San Diego State
3.) Nebraska vs. 14.) Portland State
Tampa
7.) Clemson vs. 10.) UCF
2.) Florida vs. 15.) Troy
South Region (Houston)
Philadelphia
1.) UConn vs. 16.) Merrimack
8.) Wisconsin vs. 9.) Miami
Tampa
5.) Vanderbilt vs. 12.) Belmont
4.) Alabama vs. 13.) Stephen F. Austin
Buffalo
6.) Louisville vs. 11.) Texas A&M
3.) Purdue vs. 14.) Central Arkansas
St. Louis
7.) Saint Mary's vs. 10.) Georgia
2.) Iowa State vs. 15.) East Tennessee State
The Bubble
Last 4 In
Ohio State
TCU
San Diego State
Santa Clara
First 4 Out
USC
Virginia Tech
UCLA
West Virginia
Next 4 Out
Stanford
New Mexico
VCU
Arizona State