Preview the Projected March Madness Field: First Look

Emerson Raymont

ago 2 hours

The excitement for March Madness is building as the NCAA basketball season progresses. As Selection Sunday approaches, Filmogaz.com is reviewing the current landscape of projected teams. This season’s inaugural update showcases the teams on the bubble and those poised to secure automatic bids in the upcoming tournament.

Projected March Madness Field: First Look

On the Bubble

Last Four Byes:
- Ohio State
- Miami
- NC State
- UCLA
Last Four In:
- Texas
- USC
- Seton Hall
- New Mexico
First Four Out:
- Missouri
- George Mason
- Virginia Tech
- Indiana
Next Four Out:
- Butler
- Santa Clara
- Stanford
- Baylor

Key Team Updates

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is expected to send more teams to the NCAA tournament than it has in recent years. NC State’s position improved after a significant victory against Clemson, overcoming a prior setback against Georgia Tech. Conversely, Miami suffered a disappointing home loss to Florida State, complicating their status.

Mid-major teams like New Mexico and George Mason maintain a favorable outlook. However, they face fewer opportunities within their conferences compared to higher-tier teams. George Mason, in particular, must improve its metrics following a lackluster non-conference schedule.

Regional Projections

The projected brackets for the NCAA tournament are as follows:

Region	Matchups
West	No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 16 Saint Peter’s/Maryland Eastern Shore No. 8 Iowa vs. No. 9 Auburn No. 5 Kansas vs. No. 12 Murray State No. 4 Virginia vs. No. 13 Yale No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 USC/New Mexico No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 Wright State No. 7 UCF vs. No. 10 Ohio State No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 15 Queens
East	No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Bethune-Cookman/LIU No. 8 Saint Louis vs. No. 9 Texas A&M No. 5 St. John’s vs. No. 12 Liberty No. 4 BYU vs. No. 13 Stephen F. Austin No. 6 SMU vs. No. 11 Seton Hall/Texas No. 3 Vanderbilt vs. No. 14 Winthrop No. 7 Villanova vs. No. 10 Miami No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 15 Portland State
Midwest	No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Colgate No. 8 Georgia vs. No. 9 Utah State No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Utah Valley No. 4 Florida vs. No. 13 UNC Wilmington No. 6 Clemson vs. No. 11 Miami (Ohio) No. 3 Illinois vs. No. 14 Troy No. 7 Wisconsin vs. No. 10 NC State No. 2 Houston vs. No. 15 UT Martin
South	No. 1 UConn vs. No. 16 Vermont No. 8 Kentucky vs. No. 9 Saint Mary’s No. 5 Arkansas vs. No. 12 Florida Atlantic No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 13 Hawai’i No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 11 San Diego State No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 14 East Tennessee State No. 7 North Carolina vs. No. 10 UCLA No. 2 Nebraska vs. No. 15 North Dakota State

Outlook for Teams

Arizona is currently the top seed with a strong non-conference performance, including notable victories over Florida, UConn, and Alabama. The Wildcats aim to remain undefeated as they approach key matchups against BYU and Kansas.

Florida has gained momentum with a significant win over Vanderbilt, significantly boosting its tournament viability. In contrast, Ohio and Miami (Ohio) are generating buzz, with Miami recently entering the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1999.

As the month progresses, all eyes will be on the bubble teams and the emerging narratives shaping the tournament landscape. The next few weeks will be pivotal as teams vie for coveted spots in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.