(Editor’s note: This is part of the Bracket Central Series, an inside look at the run-up to the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments, along with analysis and picks during the tournaments.)
After a whirlwind week across conference postseason play, we’re on the eve of the official Selection Sunday bracket reveal. If that doesn’t have you ready to run through a wall, man, I have no idea what will.
Ivy Madness has lived up to the hype, Penn and Harvard giving Princeton and Columbia a run for their money. Louisiana Tech had Middle Tennessee on the back foot much of the game until the Raiders pulled away late. Maine, one of my favorite mid-majors, waltzed into its first tournament appearance since 2019 and third under coach Amy Vachon. Top-seeded Hawaii fell to UC Davis in the Big West tournament, advancing the Aggies to a championship meeting against UC Irvine. A win for the Anteaters would push them to their first NCAA Tournament since 1995.
Across every corner and region of basketball, history is being made and excitement is rising. March is in full swing.
| Last four in | First four out | Next four out | Last four byes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Marquette |
Columbia |
Saint Joseph’s |
UNLV |
|
Texas A&M |
Mississippi State |
Villanova |
Michigan |
|
Arizona |
Washington State |
VCU |
Vanderbilt |
|
Miami |
Penn State |
Washington |
Auburn |
…
