A surprising turn of events in the NCAA Tournament predictions has been brought to light. Following Connecticut’s recent triumph over Creighton, head coach Dan Hurley took the opportunity to subtly remind everyone of his impressive track record, boasting two championship rings. This victory propels the Huskies to the No. 7 seed position, displacing Mississippi State which now falls to a No. 8 seed. The Bulldogs’ downward trend is evident with six defeats in their last nine matches, culminating in a recent loss on their home turf to Florida.
In a fresh twist, two new contenders have emerged onto the scene in the bracket. First up is John Calipari’s Arkansas squad, showcasing a solid performance with three wins out of their last four outings. With their improved standing, the Razorbacks now hold the 41st spot in the NET rankings. The second addition to the mix is Brigham Young University, who secured a notable victory against West Virginia earlier this week. Their upcoming clash against Kansas State holds significant implications for their chances of securing a spot in the tournament.
The ACC finds itself in a challenging position with the current bracket projections, showcasing a top-heavy lineup. In stark contrast to last year’s impressive display of sending nine teams to March Madness, the league now has only three representatives in the expected field. Leading the charge are No. 1 seed Duke, accompanied by No. 7 seeds Louisville and Clemson. Not since the year 2000 has the ACC seen such a minimal presence in the championship bracket.
Taking a closer look at the tournament landscape, notable teams are jostling for their place in the coveted bracket. Among the last four in are San Diego State, Virginia Commonwealth, Brigham Young, and Arkansas. On the cusp of inclusion, the first four out consist of Georgia, SMU, Kansas State, and Villanova.
With the race intensifying, various conferences are striving for multiple bids in the NCAA Tournament. The SEC stands out with an impressive 13 potential entries, closely followed by the Big Ten with 10, the Big 12 with 8, and the Big East with 4. The ACC, despite its diminished presence, still holds three spots, while the Mountain West and Atlantic 10 conferences each boast three contenders. Additionally, the West Coast Conference and the SEC each have two teams vying for a place in the prestigious tournament.
For more details on the latest bracket projections and team rankings, be sure to check out the original article featured in USA TODAY.
