It’s full Champ Week, and many teams are trying to get on the right side of the Bubble or just outright win their tournament to get that coveted Auto-Bid.

Tickets Already Punched

Tickets Aplenty

Look at how many first timers we have this year!

  • Ohio Valley – SIU Edwardsville Cougars (1st appearance in D-1 tourney)
  • Big South – High Point Panthers (1st appearance in D-1 tourney)
  • ASun – Lipscomb Bisons (1st appearance since 2018)
  • Missouri Valley – Drake Bulldogs (avoid sweating the Bubble)
  • Summit – Omaha Mavericks (1st appearance in D-1 tourney)
  • Sun Belt – Troy Trojans (1st appearance since 2017)
  • SoCon – Wofford Terriers (were the 6 seed in their tourney back in the Dance since 2019)
  • CAA – UNC Wilmington Seahawks (1st appearance since 2017)
  • NEC – St. Francis Red Flash (1st appearance since 1991!!!)
  • Horizon – Robert Morris Colonials (1st appearance since 2015)
  • WCC – Gonzaga Bulldogs – the Zags would not let the Gaels sweep them and won the WCC Tourney.

Ken Pom Top 20

  1. Duke – Impressive finish at UNC
  2. Auburn – Fell off after clinching the SEC last week
  3. Houston – On paper as good as it gets outside of Duke
  4. Florida – This team has a real shot to get to San Antonio
  5. Tennessee – I still don’t believe.
  6. Alabama – Good win over Auburn, but that D.
  7. Texas Tech – No one is talking about this team.
  8. Michigan State – Sparty earned the Big Ten title.
  9. Zags – Maybe they can make a run.
  10. Iowa State – Cyclones are playing better now.
  11. Kentucky – Some like them for a 2 Seed next week, but that’s too high for me.
  12. Wisconsin – The Badgers had a tough week.
  13. Maryland – Surging to the 2 Seed in the Big Ten – love them.
  14. Purdue – Going the wrong direction.
  15. St. Johns – Still red hot with win at Marquette.
  16. Arizona – Loss at Kansas was telling to me.
  17. Texas A&M – Nothing wrong with a little bump and grind.
  18. Illinois – Showing flashes of excitement.
  19. Clemson – Legit team.
  20. Missouri – Can’t trust them.

Bubble Review per Joe Lunardi on ESPN

Last 4 Byes

Hogs Closing the Year Strong
  • Utah State – The Aggies are going the wrong way – only decent win over Aztecs in past 6 games. 25-6 (15-5 MWC) will likely get them in the Dance, but they are a fade for me.
  • Arkansas – Razorbacks just need to beat South Carolina on Wednesday to get in at 19-12 (8-10 SEC).
  • Baylor – Another team riding on past season – 18-13 (10-10 B12) – I just can’t see it with the Bears. They should be First 4 Out. If K State knocks them off on Wednesday, see ya.
  • San Diego State – I’m really confused by this, but Boise should beat them on Thursday in MWC Tourney – 21-8 (14-6 MWC). This is based on past experience not 2025 performance.

Last Four In

Big Hoosier Win
  • Oklahoma – The Sooners are getting wins at the right time, 19-12 (6-12 SEC) – beat Texas head to head in Austin. Georgia is a tough pull for Wednesday, but a win would guarantee them a bid.
  • Indiana – Monster win over Buckeyes on Sunday put them on the right side of the Bubble. They are playing for Woodson now that he is walking. 19-12 (10-10 B10) – Oregon win would solidify this bid or they will wait anxiously on Sunday.
  • Xavier – Musketeers have played well down the stretch. I still like the MW teams below better, but 21-10 (13-7 BE) – a perceived better league gets them on this side. A loss against Marquette should not affect their status, but who knows.
  • Ohio State – Blowing that game at Indiana could cost them. 17-14 (9-11 B10) – That is not a tournament team to me. I hope Iowa takes them out on Wednesday so there is no debate.

First Four Out

Rams Will Need to Earn Way In
  • Boise State – Broncos vs. Aztecs in MWC Tourney should end this debate – 22-9 (14-6 MWC). Good to see Lunardi bump them after CSU beat them at home, but why are the Rams not getting the love?
  • UNC – Loss versus Duke really hurt. That’s why they are out. 20-12 (13-7 ACC) will need to go deep in ACC tourney – like Semis.
  • Texas – Perfect case for a team that should not make the field, 17-14 (6-12 SEC). Please do not let them in. Vandy needs to end their bid chances on Wednesday.
  • Colorado State – No respect for the Rams. 22-9 (16-4 MWC) 7 straight wins, and somehow Aztecs are in the field – ridiculous. If they win Quarter and then beat Utah State, can they be worthy?

Next Four Out

UC Irvine Has A Chance
  • Dayton – Win over VCU puts them on the map, but they need to win the A10 to get in.
  • Wake Forest – This team is completely unworthy – 21-10 (13-7 ACC) in a watered down ACC. Not a chance.
  • Nova – Come on they are not even close for me.
  • UC Irvine – I am a big fan of this squad with their road record, but I still think they need to win Big West to get in.

Off the list for my consideration – UC San Diego – see UC Irvine – I think the Tritons still need to win the Big West to make the field. VCU – they are listed as an auto-qualifier, but if they do not get to the A10 Final, they will not make it.

Fighting For Seeding

1 Seeds – Duke, Auburn and Houston are locked as 1 Seeds, but Florida can get one if they get to the SEC Title Game.

2 Seeds – Michigan State, Texas Tech, Tennessee are essentially 2 Seeds, but Lunardi has Alabama as the 4th – St. Johns will move to 2 Seed if they win the Big East Tourney.

3 Seeds – St. Johns, Kentucky, Texas A&M and Iowa State – probably worth, but to me, Clemson could get here if they play Duke tough in the ACC Title game or if Maryland wins the Big Ten Title.

4 Seeds – Maryland, Wisconsin, Purdue and Clemson – Purdue and Wisconsin are not big on my list here. BYU is better than both of those teams. I can also see Louisville get here if they took out Clemson to get to the ACC Title Game.

Enjoy the fun. The real tournament starts in just a week.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.