NCAA Bracket Projections Heat Up As March Madness Approaches

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — As the regular season of men’s college basketball closes, NCAA Tournament projections are heating up with Selection Sunday approaching fast. With just a week left until the conference tournaments commence, teams are scrambling for valuable seeding positions and bids.

The latest projected NCAA bracket indicates fierce competition for the top seed. Tennessee has emerged as a frontrunner following a four-game winning streak, including two crucial Quad 1 victories. Currently positioned as the No. 1 seed in the West region, the Volunteers hold 10 Quad 1 wins, a statistic that ties them for second-most in the nation. “If we can finish strong, it will be tough to deny us,” said Tennessee coach Rick Barnes.

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has surged from a No. 10 seed to a No. 7 projection with three consecutive wins before falling to Arkansas. Following their impressive performance, the Commodores have improved their Quad 1 record to 5-8, putting them in strong contention ahead of their final matchup against Georgia.

Oregon, equally noteworthy, has revived its season by winning six straight games after experiencing a mid-season slump, placing them at a projected No. 7 seed in the West region. With two more Quad 1 victories recently, the Ducks are establishing themselves as a formidable opponent. Coach Dana Altman remarked, “We’re hitting our stride at the right time.”

On the edge of the bubble, teams like San Diego State and Georgia are fighting to secure their slots. San Diego State, now positioned as a No. 10 seed in the Midwest, has shown resilience with a strong finish to the season, while Georgia, currently hovering around an No. 11 seed, desperately needs to maintain its momentum post impressive Quad 1 wins.

Alabama has seen a slight drop to a No. 2 seed in the West after a tough stretch of games. The Crimson Tide, once projected as a No. 1 seed, now face a challenging finish against Florida and Auburn. Coach Nate Oats commented, “We have to stay focused as we finish the regular season.”

Mississippi and Creighton face their own struggles. After being a No. 5 seed, Mississippi has seen its seed drop to No. 9 following a string of losses, while Creighton’s recent 3-3 record has left them needing a strong finish against Butler.

On the flip side, teams like Boise State have made strides into the projected field with a five-game win streak. Improving their chances significantly, they now sit in the First Four conversation but must continue winning against Colorado State and in the Mountain West tournament.

As the week progresses, several key matchups could drastically alter the bracket landscape, such as Ohio State vs. Nebraska and Oklahoma vs. Missouri. These games could determine which teams solidify their tournament bids and which drop off the bubble.

The current scenario shows that 32 teams hold at least a 95% chance to make the tournament, while just 19 teams remain with a less than 70% probability. Selection Sunday on March 16 is expected to clarify many of the lingering uncertainties as teams vie for a spot in the coveted 68-team field.