Overview
- Gonzaga captured the WCC's automatic bid Tuesday, pushing Santa Clara back to at-large scrutiny after the Broncos upset Saint Mary's to reach the final.
- Updated projections reflect the churn, with ESPN’s latest moving Auburn out and keeping the SEC at 10 bids as play begins in Nashville.
- SMU strengthened its case with an ACC first-round win over Syracuse and will face Louisville next, while Cincinnati stayed in the hunt by beating Utah to set up UCF.
- Stanford and Virginia Tech took damaging first-round ACC losses, leaving both outside most bubble forecasts barring minimal bid stealing this week.
- Florida enters the SEC bracket on an 11-game league win streak and is tracking for a No. 1 seed, with tournament coverage on SEC Network and ESPN platforms.