The road to Selection Sunday is intensifying, with teams across the country battling for conference tournament titles and automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament. Wednesday marks another crucial night in college basketball as three more conferences will crown their champions, while major conference tournaments get underway.
Patriot League to Crown New Champion
For the first time since 2018, a team other than Colgate will represent the Patriot League in the NCAA Tournament. No. 1 seed American University ended Colgate’s dominant run in the semifinals and will now face No. 5 Navy in the championship game. The winner will punch their ticket to March Madness, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
High-Major Conferences Join the Action
While mid-major teams fight for their automatic bids, power conferences are stepping into the postseason spotlight. Wednesday marks the start of tournament play for the Big East, Big Ten, and SEC, adding to the already chaotic week of college hoops.
Four More Teams Clinch NCAA Tournament Spots
Tuesday saw four teams secure their place in the Big Dance, each with a unique journey:
- Saint Francis (NEC): The No. 3 seed Red Flash pulled off a defensive masterpiece, upsetting No. 1 Central Connecticut State 46-43. This win marks Saint Francis’ first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1991, ending a 33-year drought.
- Robert Morris (Horizon League): The top-seeded Colonials handled Youngstown State 89-78, earning their first NCAA Tournament trip since 2015.
- UNCW (CAA): The Seahawks ended Delaware’s incredible four-win-in-four-days run, holding off the No. 12 seed 76-72 in a thrilling championship game. UNCW returns to the tournament for the first time since 2017.
- Gonzaga (WCC): The Bulldogs reaffirmed their dominance with a 58-51 win over top-seeded Saint Mary’s, capturing their 11th WCC title in the last 13 years.
More Action on the Way
As March Madness approaches, conference tournaments continue in full force. The coming days will determine who’s in, who’s out, and who’s still fighting for at-large bids. Wednesday’s schedule features key games from the ACC, Big 12, SEC, and more, making it one of the busiest days of the season.
With Selection Sunday just around the corner, the intensity is only going to rise. Buckle up, because the madness is just getting started.