March Madness 2026: Bubble Teams on the Brink as Selection Sunday Approaches

Selection Sunday is rapidly approaching, and numerous men’s college basketball teams are still vying for one of the 68 coveted spots in the NCAA Tournament. The stakes are high as teams battle in conference tournaments, with every result impacting their chances of hearing their name called. Here’s a look at recent results and their implications for teams on the bubble.

ACC Tournament: SMU Gains Momentum

On March 10, SMU defeated Syracuse 86-69 in the opening round of the ACC Tournament. Boopie Miller led the Mustangs with 25 points, supported by double-doubles from Jaden Toombs and Samet Yigitoglu. SMU (20-12) advances to face sixth-seeded Louisville on Wednesday.

What this means: While SMU was considered safe from being completely excluded from the tournament, their 11-seed projection left them vulnerable. This win against Syracuse, coupled with Stanford’s earlier loss to Pittsburgh, strengthens their case for inclusion.

Next Up: SMU will face Louisville on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

WCC Tournament: Santa Clara Upsets Saint Mary’s

Santa Clara secured a significant victory on March 9, defeating No. 21 Saint Mary’s 76-71 in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament. Sash Gavalyugov’s 23 points, including a crucial late-game three-pointer, propelled the Broncos to victory. Santa Clara (26-7) will now compete against No. 12 Gonzaga in the championship game.

What this means: A win in the WCC Tournament final would guarantee Santa Clara an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Although, even without winning the championship, the Broncos have significantly improved their tournament prospects, earning a key Quad 1 neutral-site win. They were previously listed among the “Last Four In” and this result could move them off the bubble entirely.

Next Up: Santa Clara will play Gonzaga in the WCC Tournament final on Wednesday.

Selection Sunday Details

The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed on Sunday, March 15, at 6 p.m. ET on CBS. Conference tournaments are currently underway, with automatic bids being awarded to the winners. The First Four games are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, March 17.