The Road to the Big Dance: 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Update

As the 2025 college basketball season reaches its climax, teams nationwide are vying for coveted spots in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. With Selection Sunday imminent, let's delve into the latest updates, including teams that have secured automatic bids and projections for at-large selections.

Automatic Basketball Tournament Bids: Conference Champions

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament comprises 68 teams, with 32 automatic bids awarded to conference champions. As of March 14, 2025, 14 conference champions have been crowned, securing their spots in the tournament. Here's a breakdown of the conferences and their champions:

America East Conference: Vermont Catamounts
Atlantic Sun Conference: Lipscomb Bisons
Big South Conference: High Point Panthers
Big West Conference: UC Irvine Anteaters
Colonial Athletic Association: Hofstra Pride
Horizon League: Northern Kentucky Norse
Ivy League: Yale Bulldogs
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference: Iona Gaels
Mid-American Conference: Toledo Rockets
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference: Norfolk State Spartans
Missouri Valley Conference: Drake Bulldogs
Northeast Conference: Saint Francis Red Flash
Ohio Valley Conference: SIU Edwardsville Cougars
Patriot League: Colgate Raiders

Note: The remaining 18 conference champions will be determined in the coming days as their respective tournaments conclude.

At-Large Bids: Projected Selections

Beyond the 32 automatic bids, the tournament selection committee grants 36 at-large bids to teams that have demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the season but did not win their conference tournaments. As of now, several teams are projected to receive at-large bids based on their overall records, strength of schedule, and key victories. Here's a look at some of the top contenders:

Gonzaga Bulldogs: Despite an unexpected loss in the West Coast Conference semifinals, their impressive 27-4 record and high NET ranking position them well for an at-large bid.
Kansas Jayhawks: A strong season in the competitive Big 12 Conference, boasting a 25-6 record with notable wins against top-tier teams.
Duke Blue Devils: With a 24-7 record and a deep run in the ACC tournament, they're poised for a favorable seed.
Arizona Wildcats: Their 26-5 record in the Pac-12, along with significant non-conference victories, bolsters their at-large bid prospects.
Michigan State Spartans: A consistent performance in the Big Ten, highlighted by a 23-8 record and resilience against ranked opponents.

These projections are subject to change as conference tournaments conclude and the selection committee finalizes its decisions.

Bubble Watch: Teams on the Edge

As always, some teams find themselves on the tournament bubble, uncertain of their postseason fate. According to recent bracketology updates, the "Last Four In" and "First Four Out" are as follows:

Last Four In:

Texas Longhorns: Despite a 19-15 record, their seven Quad 1 wins keep them in contention.
North Carolina Tar Heels: Lacking marquee wins, but strong metrics maintain their bubble status.
Utah Utes: Solid season performance, though recent losses have them teetering.
St. Mary's Gaels: Strong record, but a lack of significant victories leaves them vulnerable.

First Four Out:

Syracuse Orange: Inconsistency and a weak non-conference schedule may hinder their chances.
Florida State Seminoles: Early-season struggles have them on the outside looking in.
Nebraska Cornhuskers: Missed opportunities in conference play have hurt their bid.
Virginia Tech Hokies: Despite a strong start, they've faltered down the stretch.

These teams will be closely monitoring the remaining conference tournaments, hoping results swing in their favor.

Get Ready for Tip-Off – and the Pre-Game Party!

As Selection Sunday approaches and the tournament bracket takes shape, excitement is reaching a fever pitch. To enhance your game-day experience, be on the lookout for upcoming Pregame Sports bar crawls! Join fellow fans in hitting the best bars in town, enjoying exclusive drink specials, and immersing yourself in the electrifying atmosphere that only this tournament can provide. Stay tuned for announcements on upcoming events!