In a significant shift in the NCAA Tournament projections, Tennessee has climbed back to a coveted No. 1 seed following their dramatic 79-76 victory against Alabama. This nail-biting win, which concluded with a buzzer-beater, has positioned the Volunteers as the fourth overall team in the latest bracketology rankings. Meanwhile, Houston has moved up to the third overall spot, while the Crimson Tide has slipped down to become the leading No. 2 seed.
In other notable news, Kentucky suffered a setback as they were defeated at home by the top overall seed, Auburn, in a decisive 94-78 loss. Adding to the Wildcats' woes, it was announced post-game that Jaxson Robinson, their second-leading scorer, will miss the remainder of the season due to a wrist injury. Robinson has already been sidelined for all but 12 minutes in the last five games, raising concerns about Kentucky's performance heading into the NCAA Tournament. The selection committee tends to weigh a team's performance based on the roster it takes into the tournament, and this injury could significantly affect Kentucky's seed if they struggle without him.
The impact of player injuries on NCAA Tournament seeding cannot be overstated. While the selection committee does consider how teams perform with their full roster, the weight of this consideration is relatively minor. However, it can still influence a team's overall position in the bracket.
As the tournament approaches, attention has largely focused on teams like Duke and Houston, as well as four SEC teams, all vying for No. 1 seeds. However, one dark horse contender is Michigan State. Currently tied for the Big Ten lead, the Spartans have achieved nine Quad 1 wins and will face Wisconsin on Sunday. With three remaining regular-season games against Quad 1 opponents, a successful run could position them favorably for a top seed on Selection Sunday, potentially bringing their Quad 1 win total to at least 14.
For a comprehensive look at the current bracket and a full field of 68, check out Palm's bracket at the Bracketology hub. As the NCAA Tournament draws near, the competition for top seeds becomes increasingly intense.
Saturday proved tumultuous for bubble teams, with many experiencing setbacks. Texas faced a particularly rough day, suffering an 83-67 defeat against Georgia. This loss marked their second disappointing performance in three games, following a blowout loss to South Carolina. With three consecutive losses and six out of seven games resulting in defeats, the Longhorns find themselves precariously positioned on the bubble as one of the next four teams out of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Arkansas currently holds the last spot in the field of 68 after a dismal performance in a 72-53 loss against South Carolina. In contrast, Vanderbilt has made a strong case to secure their place in the tournament, coming from behind to defeat Missouri 97-93 in overtime. This marks their third consecutive win over teams ranked in the top 25 of the bracket.
On the other hand, Nebraska continues to trend downward, with a recent 67-65 home loss to Minnesota marking their fourth defeat in five games. This performance has pushed them to the first team out of the current bracket, allowing Baylor to take their place after a solid 71-61 victory over Oklahoma State.
