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03/16/2025
The Akron Zips hoist the MAC Championship trophy after defeating the Miami (Oh) Redhawks at Rocket Arena. (John Kuntz/Tribune Content Agency)
The Akron Zips hoist the MAC Championship trophy after defeating the Miami (Oh) Redhawks at Rocket Arena. (John Kuntz/Tribune Content Agency)

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Bracketology: Colin McMahon’s Selection Sunday bracket projection (March 16)

Breaking down the last teams in and the No. 1 seeds just hours before the bracket is unveiled

We’ve finally made it. Selection Sunday is here!

For the final time of the 2024-25 season, here's my NCAA Tournament bracket projection, and we’ll see how close I get to the official bracket.

In the past few days, several teams have punched their tickets to the Big Dance, as fans across the country have been treated to an excellent conference tournament week. Duke, Houston and St. John’s won their tournaments after winning regular season championships, while Florida won the SEC title after Auburn, who is still my No. 1 overall seed, lost in the semifinals yesterday.

VCU and Yale won the other conference championships played today, while there were a plethora of teams who punched their tickets last night. Colorado State stole a bid out of the Mountain West, while Grand Canyon, Alabama State, Bryant, Norfolk State, Mount St. Mary’s, Akron and Liberty all won their conference tournaments and will compete in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

UC San Diego won the Big West, avoiding a bid steal there as the Tritons would have had a strong at-large case, making every other team on the bubble happy. As for the bubble, there’s five teams that I believe have a case to be in the field: Boise State, Indiana, North Carolina, Texas and Xavier.

This was incredibly hard to project, but I like Indiana and Xavier to be the final two teams selected in the field of 68, while Boise State, North Carolina and Texas will be left out. 

There’s also been debates around the country for what order the one seeds should be, but for me it’s simple. Auburn, Duke, Houston and Florida, in that order, as these four have certainly separated themselves from the rest of the country.

But, for now, enjoy my final bracket projection of the season, we’ll see how I do and see you next season!

NOTE: THIS BRACKET WAS MADE BEFORE THE AMERICAN AND BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS, THIS IS PROJECTING MEMPHIS AND WISCONSIN WINS

The Bracket
image1.jpg
Graphic by Colin McMahon
First Four (Dayton, OH)
West Region: 11 San Diego State vs. 11 Indiana
East Region: 11 West Virginia vs. 11 Xavier
South Region: 16 Alabama State vs. 16 Mount St. Mary’s
Midwest Region: 16 St. Francis (PA) vs. 16 SIU Edwardsville
Bubble Watch
Last four byes: Utah State, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, Arkansas
Last four in: West Virginia, San Diego State, Indiana, Xavier
First four out: Texas, Boise State, North Carolina, Ohio State
Next four out: UC Irvine, Wake Forest, Dayton, Nebraska
Multi-Bid Conferences
SEC: 13
Big Ten: 9
Big 12: 8
Big East: 5
Mountain West: 4
ACC: 3
West Coast: 2

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