Sunday’s action means the regular season has drawn to a close, and with it comes the first four tickets to be punched for the Big Dance. Champions in the Atlantic Sun, Big South, Missouri Valley, and Summit League will be crowned. With the regular season over, conference tournaments for the power conferences begin on Tuesday, starting with the ACC. Over the next seven days, the mud bog that is the bubble will turn into a crystal-clear lagoon, albeit filled with teams that have a big problem staying above water.
From November until Selection Sunday, we talk about how resumes reflect the whole body of work, not specific games. But every year, it seems as though the teams that are fighting for their postseason lives come down to their performance in conference tournaments. For those teams in the bubble conversation, the survive-and-advance mentality has already started. Before those key tournaments begin, the latest projected field gives you a glimpse into the convoluted bubble.
East Region (Washington, D.C.)
Greenville
1.) Duke vs. 16.) Central Arkansas
8.) Iowa vs. 9.) Saint Louis
Tampa
5.) Kansas vs. 12.) South Florida
4.) Alabama vs. 13.) UNC-Wilmington
Oklahoma City
6.) Saint Mary's vs. 11.) Texas
3.) Texas Tech vs. 14.) North Dakota State
Buffalo
7.) Kentucky vs. 10.) NC State
2.) Michigan State vs. 15.) Merrimack
Midwest Region (Chicago)
Buffalo
1.) Michigan vs. 16.) Long Island
8.) Clemson vs. 9.) TCU
Portland
5.) North Carolina vs. 12.) Liberty
4.) Vanderbilt vs. 13.) High Point
St. Louis
6.) Louisville vs. 11.) Missouri
3.) Iowa State vs. 14.) Illinois-Chicago
Oklahoma City
7.) Georgia vs. 10.) Miami (OH)
2.) Houston vs. 15.) Portland State
West Region (San Jose)
San Diego
1.) Arizona vs. 16.) Howard/Bethune Cookman
8.) UCLA vs. 9.) Utah State
Portland
5.) Arkansas vs. 12.) Stephen F. Austin
4.) Gonzaga vs. 13.) UC-Irvine
Philadelphia
6.) St. John's vs. 11.) VCU/SMU
3.) Nebraska vs. 14.) Navy
St. Louis
7.) Villanova vs. 10.) Texas A&M
2.) Illinois vs. 15.) Wright State
South Region (Houston)
Tampa
1.) Florida vs. 16.) Tennessee State/UMBC
8.) Miami vs. 9.) UCF
San Diego
5.) Wisconsin vs. 12.) Yale
4.) Virginia vs. 13.) Utah Valley
Greenville
6.) BYU vs. 11.) Santa Clara/New Mexico
3.) Purdue vs. 14.) Troy
Philadelphia
7.) Tennessee vs. 10.) Ohio State
2.) UConn vs. 15.) East Tennessee State
The Bubble
Last four in
Santa Clara
VCU
SMU
New Mexico
First four out
Indiana
Auburn
Virginia Tech
West Virginia
Next four out
Cincinnati
Stanford
Oklahoma
San Diego State