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Bracketology: Big day for Bubble teams

Notre Dame v Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - MARCH 3: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers claps in the second half during a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at John Paul Jones Arena on March 3, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Virginia defeated Notre Dame 62-57. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)

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It’s a big day for bubble teams. Consider these questions: Can Louisville beat Virginia? Can Marquette beat Villanova? Can Oklahoma State beat Kansas (for a third time)? Can Notre Dame beat Duke? Can Texas beat Texas Tech? Can Alabama beat Texas AM? Can Kansas State beat TCU? These are just a few of the many games to ponder on what could end up being the most crucial day between now and selection weekend. We didn’t even mention Butler and Providence, both of whom could benefit from an opening-round Big East tournament win.

How will the Selection Committee handle a resume like Oklahoma State’s? The answer could well depend on the age-old RPI question. And what about a team like Arizona State - or Oklahoma for that matter - who started out like a whirlwind and finished with very little much air in their sails?

The cutline will change, perhaps multiple times, between now and Saturday. Nothing is locked in place. After a busy (and short night) ... here’s the latest:

UPDATED: March 8, 2018

FIRST FOUR PAIRINGS - Dayton (First Round)


  • Marquette vs. Baylor | South Region
  • Louisville vs. Oklahoma State | West Region
  • SE Louisiana vs. LIU-BROOKLYN | East Region
  • Hampton vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff | South Region

BRACKET PROJECTION ...

SOUTH - AtlantaEAST - Boston
CharlottePittsburgh
1) Virginia1) Villanova
16) Hampton / Ark-PB16) SE Louisiana / LIU-BROOKLYN
8) Creighton8) Rhode Island
9) Kansas State9) Florida State
San DiegoSan Diego
5) Florida5) Ohio State
12) Middle Tennessee12) SOUTH DAKOTA ST
4) West Virginia4) Texas Tech
13) Louisiana13) Vermont
DetroitWichita
6) Miami-FL6) Kentucky
11) Marquette / Baylor11) Oklahoma
3) Cincinnati3) Michigan State
14) UNC-GREENSBORO14) CHARLESTON
NashvilleNashville
7) Seton Hall7) Missouri
10) Saint Mary’s10) Providence
2) Auburn2) North Carolina
15) WRIGHT STATE15) IONA
WEST - Los AngelesMIDWEST - Omaha
WichitaPittsburgh
1) Kansas1) Xavier
16) RADFORD16) Harvard
8) Nevada8) Virginia Tech
9) Butler9) St. Bonaventure
BoiseBoise
5) Arizona5) Clemson
12) New Mexico St12) LOYOLA-CHICAGO
4) Gonzaga4) Wichita State
13) Buffalo13) MURRAY STATE
DallasDallas
6) Arkansas6) Houston
11) Louisville / Oklahoma St11) UCLA
3) MICHIGAN3) Tennessee
14) Montana14) BUCKNELL
CharlotteDetroit
7) Texas AM7) TCU
10) Texas10) NC State
2) Duke2) Purdue
15) LIPSCOMB15) UC-Davis

NOTES on the BRACKET: Virginia is the No. 1 overall seed - followed by Villanova, Xavier, and Kansas

Last Four Byes (at large): Providence, Saint Mary’s, UCLA, Oklahoma

Last Four IN (at large): Marquette, Baylor, Louisville, Oklahoma State

First Four OUT (at large): Arizona State, Syracuse, USC, Notre Dame

Next four teams OUT (at large): Alabama, LSU, Penn State, Nebraska

Breakdown by Conference …

ACC (9): Virginia, Duke, North Carolina, Clemson, NC State, Miami-FL, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Louisville

BIG 12 (9): Kansas, West Virginia, Texas Tech, TCU, Kansas State, Texas, Oklahoma, Baylor, Oklahoma State

SEC (7): Auburn, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas AM, Missouri

Big East (7): Villanova, Xavier, Seton Hall, Creighton, Butler, Providence, Marquette

Big 10 (4): MICHIGAN, Purdue, Michigan State, Ohio State

American (3): Cincinnati, Wichita State, Houston

Pac 12 (2): Arizona, UCLA

Atlantic 10 (2): Rhode Island, St. Bonaventure

West Coast (2): GONZAGA, Saint Mary’s

Mountain West (1): Nevada

ONE BID LEAGUES: LOYOLA-CHI (MVC), IONA (MAAC), Middle Tennessee (C-USA), Louisiana (SBELT), Harvard (IVY), Montana (BSKY), WRIGHT STATE (HORIZON), SE Louisiana (SLND), UNC-GREENSBORO (STHN), UC-Davis (BWEST), Buffalo (MAC), LIPSCOMB(ASUN), MURRAY STATE (OVC), CHARLESTON (CAA), RADFORD (BSO), Hampton (MEAC), SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (SUM), New Mexico State (WAC), Vermont (AEAST), BUCKNELL (PAT), LIU-BROOKLYN (NEC), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (SWAC)