When groups throughout the bubble (Nebraska, Virginia, Stanford, Texas A&M, Utah, Mississippi State) go one-and-done of their convention tournaments, a few wins could be large for a workforce’s March Insanity possibilities. Arizona State (24-10) understood the task, with wins over Arizona and Iowa State that see the Solar Devils climbing again into the projected discipline of 68.
No energy convention workforce with not less than 24 wins has ever been not noted of the NCAA Event. On the similar time, 24-win energy convention groups normally aren’t No. 51 within the NET. Crucially, the Solar Devils picked up their first Quad 1 win of the season towards Iowa State, however the Cyclones are unlikely to be higher than a No. 9 seed within the NCAA Event, which is not fairly a “signature” win in my e-book. Arizona State’s run within the Huge 12 Event got here to an finish Friday with a loss towards West Virginia.
Nonetheless, Arizona State has a 6-2 report in Quad 2 video games and wins towards all of the Huge 12 groups across the bubble aside from BYU. It additionally has the WAB rating of a workforce that must be simply inside the sphere. That is the place I’ve them, because the final workforce in.
It has been a exceptional season in Tempe, as coach Molly Miller has led a 14-win turnaround in her first season on the college. A visit to March Insanity can be the icing on the cake.
Bracketology — March 7
Final 4 in
- Colorado (Subsequent sport: vs. West Virginia, 6:30 p.m. ET)
- Nebraska
- South Dakota State (vs. South Dakota, 3:30 p.m. ET)
- Arizona State
First 4 out
- Virginia
- Richmond (vs. George Mason, 1:30 p.m. ET)
- BYU
- Stanford
Subsequent 4 out
- Texas A&M
- Utah
- Mississippi State
- Kansas
What to Watch For
May LSU seize the ultimate No. 1 seed?
It appeared probably that Texas and Vanderbilt would play for the final No. 1 seed within the SEC Semifinals, however what would’ve been a must-watch sport wasn’t to be, as Ole Miss completely dominated Vanderbilt within the first half on Friday, main 49-17 on the break and coasting to an 89-78 win.
That takes Vanderbilt out of the operating and will imply that Texas ends as a No. 1 seed. For perspective, the Longhorns have the No. 3 WAB within the nation, higher than UConn and greater than 4 full wins forward of LSU. However seeing as how Vanderbilt jumped Texas earlier within the season after beating the Longhorns, if LSU can beat South Carolina and Texas en path to an SEC Event title, they’ll have not less than an opportunity.
LSU definitely appeared like a nationwide title contender in its 34-point win over Oklahoma within the SEC Quarterfinals, the largest margin of victory in an SEC Event filled with blowouts to date. If Iowa and Michigan win the Huge Ten Event, they may even have an outdoor take a look at a No. 1 seed if Texas would not prevail in Greenville.
North Carolina steals Michigan State’s internet hosting spot
The Tar Heels have been pushing for what appeared like an unlikely top-four seed for 2 months now, and it is lastly paid off. After Minnesota, Maryland and Michigan State misplaced their opening video games within the Huge Ten Event, the door was open for UNC, and a win over Virginia Tech despatched them via.
Michigan State now drops to a No. 5 seed whereas Minnesota and Maryland are secure for now however nonetheless probably susceptible to West Virginia, Notre Dame and Ole MIss relying on outcomes over the subsequent two days.
One- or two-bid leagues?
The Huge 12 is the one remaining energy convention with bubble implications. Colorado, which ought to now be within the discipline, will get West Virginia within the Huge 12 Semifinals. Kansas State, the convention No. 12 seed, is simply two wins away from changing into one of many unlikeliest bid-stealers of all time.
But when the Wildcats cannot get it carried out towards TCU or within the closing, all consideration will shift to the mid-majors. Princeton profitable the Ivy League Event would take Columbia out of the sphere and open up an at-large spot. The identical can be true for South Dakota State profitable the Summit League Event and taking out North Dakota State.
Within the Atlantic 10, Rhode Island is an 11 seed whereas Richmond is the second workforce out. Each groups have an opportunity at an at-large and could be helped immensely by Princeton and South Dakota State.
Lastly, Fairfield has an outdoor probability of an at-large in the event that they make it to the MAAC Championship and lose to Quinnipiac. A pair of Quad 1 street wins towards Villanova and Richmond carry the Stags’ resume and imply they may probably steal a bid from the at-large discipline.
