The final Saturday of the regular season was pure, unbridled chaos. From massive upsets like Wisconsin beating Purdue, and Marquette beating UConn to bubble carnage, there were results everywhere! I am not listing every individual result in this article, but here’s my fresh bracketology update with seeding thoughts!
Seed List Updates:
We saw two bids get sealed. LIU out of the NEC has clinched a bid as they are in the title game vs. Merchurst who is in the transition period. We also saw Tennessee State take care of Morehead state to clinch their first bid since 1994! I wouldn’t be surprised at all if both of those teams are in Dayton.
The final 1 seed flipped Saturday. Florida jumps ahead of UConn after UConn’s loss to Marquette.
Illinois/Michigan State/Iowa State/Nebraska are all relatively close and some movement could occur there.
I have a hard time seeing any of the 5 seeds getting to the 4 line. It feels like out top 16 teams are set with some order movement incoming.
Final 6 seed: Miami (fl), SMC, BYU, Georgia, Kentucky all have cases for that area. All 5 feel like 6 seeds currently.
The 9/10 seeds. I could see Saint Louis and Miami swapping. Would honestly be happy with that happening. Will continue to evaluate.
TCU, Ohio State feel securely on the 10. However, for NCSU and A&M, one has to fall to the 11 line. Both still feel safely in at this point.
The Bubble:
NC State and Santa Clara are above Dayton.
VCU, Texas, SMU are all in Dayton.
Indiana, Oklahoma, Stanford, Auburn are all in a similar, tough spot.
You’ll notice I do not have a next four out. Right now, these four are the true ones who have a chance at this time. I’ll dive in a bit deeper tomorrow.
Sunday’s Matchups:
Illinois @ Maryland | 3:00 PM ET, FOX
The Illini will look to stabilize their footing as a 2 seed today in a matchup they’re favored by 15.5. They should roll here.
Michigan State @ Michigan | 4:30 PM ET, CBS
Michigan is favored by 10.5 in Ann Arbor tonight! Michigan State is currently a 2 seed. A blowout here could see MSU fall to the 3 line.
Conference Tournament Matchups:
Big South
Somehow, despite all of the chaos around them, High Point and Winthrop have made it to the championship game! This is a noon tip on ESPN2, and should feature a ton of points! High Point is favored here.
MVC
Northern Iowa vs. UIC for the title… Just like we all expected, no? This is absolutely chaotic. Northern Iowa is the 6 seed, while UIC is the 5. I would expect to see either of these teams end up on the 13/14 line. Noon ET, CBS.
ASUN
Neither of these two teams have made the NCAA tournament before! Queens and Central Arkansas will fight to cut down the nets in Jacksonville! Central Arkansas is favored by 3.5. Expect the winner to slide into the 15 range. 2:00 PM ET, ESPN2.
Summit
North Dakota State will face off with North Dakota for the crown of the Summit! This game will tip at 9:00 PM ET on CBSSN.
Horizon
One matchup today, Northern Kentucky vs. Green Bay at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN+. I’ll be there for all of your coverage needs!
CAA
Four matchups today, all of them should be really fun games. Campbell and UNC Wilmington will face off to start the day. Expect UNCW to roll here. Drexel and Monmouth feels like a complete toss-up at this point. Towson and Charleston kick off the evening slate in a game the Cougars are favored to win by 1.5. Finally, William & Mary will battle Hofstra in a matchup I expect will deliver!
Patriot
Semifinal Sunday is here! Colgate will play Lehigh in Bethlehem, PA. Colgate is on the road, but favored by 1.5. Boston U will travel to Navy hoping to pull off a major upset at 2:00 PM ET!
SoCon
More semifinals! Western Carolina gets their chance to slay East Tennessee State to kick the day off, and then UNC Greensboro will battle Furman to close the night out. Games start at 4:00 PM ET on ESPNU.
Sun Belt
The ladder of death moves on! The 1/2 seeds start today though. Southern Miss faces Troy at 6:00 PM ET on ESPN+ in a matchup the Trojans are favored by 3.5 in. Georgia Southern and Marshall will battle to close the night out. The Herd are 7.5-point favorites.
Southland
Houston Christian and New Orleans will kick the tournament off! UNO is favored by 4.5 in this one. Northwestern State will face off with Nicholls in a matchup they’re favored by 2.5 in. This tournament has the potential to be absolutely chaotic!
MAAC
Marist and Merrimack start the semi-finals off, and that matchup is followed up with Fairfield and Siena playing. This conference is extremely competitive and these games could go either way. Games start at 6:00 PM ET on ESPN+.
Big Sky
The second night of the Big Sky features matchups with the top teams in the conference. Idaho State and Portland State play at 7:30 PM ET and Idaho and Montana State will follow up after.
WCC
San Francisco will play Oregon State to kick the night off at 8:30 PM ET, and Santa Clara will face Pacific at an 11:00 PM ET tip. All games on ESPN2.
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