A significant shift occurred in women’s college basketball as conference tournament results reshuffled the landscape heading into the NCAA tournament. As the countdown to Selection Sunday on March 16 progresses, already 31 automatic bids have been secured, influencing the current bracketology.
Upsets Shake Tournament Predictions
The first round of conference tournaments saw unexpected results, especially affecting top seeds. University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) faced a shocking defeat in the AAC tournament, losing to Rice. In a similar twist, James Madison, which went unbeaten in the Sun Belt, squandered a late lead against Arkansas State, raising doubts about their NCAA prospects. Meanwhile, Gonzaga became embroiled in controversy after its loss to Oregon State in the WCC semifinals, marking a potential first absence from the NCAA tournament since 2016. While Monday’s results did not majorly disrupt the top seeds, they did alter the seed placement for several lower-ranked teams.
Current Tournament Outlook
UConn’s continuous dominance in the Big East, where they secured their fifth consecutive title, places them in a solid position for a No. 2 seed as Selection Sunday approaches.
On the Bubble
The most critical updates regarding teams vying for last-minute tournament spots are summarized as:
- Last Four Byes: Georgia Tech, Indiana, Nebraska, Oregon
- Last Four In: Iowa State, Washington, Princeton, Harvard
- First Four Out: Virginia Tech, Saint Joseph’s, James Madison, Minnesota
- Next Four Out: Murray State, Colorado, Arizona, Middle Tennessee
This restructuring allows teams a fleeting chance to establish themselves as viable contenders as bracket placements loom in the final weeks of play.
68-Team Bracket Updates
Certain teams have shifted within the 68-team bracket:
- Moved Up: Washington, Harvard, Iowa State, Princeton
- Moved Down: Virginia Tech, Saint Joseph’s, James Madison, Minnesota
- New Names to Bracket: Southern, NC A&T, UNCG, High Point
- Automatic Qualifiers: Missouri State, Fairfield
Conference Representation
The competition is tightening as different conferences vie for spots. Here’s the current breakdown of teams from each conference projected to make the tournament:
- Big Ten: 12
- SEC: 10
- ACC: 8
- Big 12: 7
- Ivy League: 3
- Big East: 2
- Atlantic 10: 2
As the basketball world gears up for the NCAA tournament, the upcoming days will prove critical in determining which programs solidify their spots in the coveted bracket. While upsets have already shaped the narrative, many teams still have a chance to make their case for postseason play.
