As the calendar flips to March, college basketball teams gear up for conference tournaments, marking the final opportunity to catch the attention of the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
For teams like Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Arizona, and Saint Joseph’s, a couple of strong performances in these tournaments could be pivotal in enhancing their chances for the NCAA Tournament. Seton Hall, in particular, is looking to make a statement, as their coach Tony Bozzella mentioned that their eight losses have been against teams with over 20 wins. Furthermore, with a worst loss to a team ranked 50th in NET and a solid strength of schedule, they are in a strong position heading into the tournament.
With the third seed in the Big East Tournament, the Pirates need a few wins to strengthen their NCAA prospects. In other matchups, Virginia Tech is set to face Georgia Tech on Thursday. Holding the eighth seed in the ACC Tournament, the Hokies would benefit significantly from a victory against the Yellowjackets.
Elsewhere, the Ivy League presents a fascinating scenario with Columbia, Harvard, and Princeton all making compelling cases for tournament inclusion. Historically, the Ivy League has rarely had multiple entries, with only two at-large bids in history, one of which occurred last year. Current NET ratings have Harvard at 37, Columbia at 42, and Princeton at 50, showcasing their competitiveness this season.
Stanford aims to continue its impressive streak of 36 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. To secure their place, they must likely put up a strong showing in the ACC Tournament. This consistency is second only to Tennessee, which has never missed an NCAA Tournament.
For more information and updates on the latest from college basketball, including poll alerts, fans are encouraged to stay connected throughout the season.
