NCAA tournament bracketology: Projecting the field of 68
Iowa's loss to Indiana on Thursday night bolstered the Hoosiers' profile and also allowed a Virginia team knocking on the door to take over a No. 1 seed spot, bumping the Hawkeyes to the No. 2 line. That and another night of bubble upheaval. VCU's loss to UMass pushes them out of the field, while Alabama and its surprisingly good profile surges in.
Projections as of noon ET on Feb. 12.
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Last four in: Tulsa, LSU, Alabama, Temple
First four out: VCU, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Texas Tech
Others considered for at-large bids (in order): St. Mary's, Butler, UCLA, George Washington, Clemson, Kansas State, Saint Bonaventure, Georgetown, Temple, Creighton, Georgia, Davidson, Ohio State, Arizona State
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Moving in: Saint Francis (Pa.), Hawaii, Alabama, Temple
Moving out: Wagner, UC-Irvine, Saint Mary's, VCU
No longer considered for at-large bid: UNLV, Louisiana Tech, Georgia State, Illinois, Northern Iowa, Texas-Arlington, Penn State, Richmond, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Mississippi, Auburn, Memphis, Wake Forest, Southern Illinois, Virginia Tech, Arkansas, Evansville, North Carolina State, Boise State, BYU, Northwestern, Middle Tennessee State, Georgia Tech, Marquette
Multi bid conferences: ACC (8), Pac-12 (8), Big Ten (6), Big 12 (6), SEC (6), Big East (4), AAC (4), A-10 (2)
Leaders or highest RPI from projected 1-bid conferences (23 total): Stony Brook (America East), North Florida (Atlantic Sun), Montana (Big Sky), North Carolina-Ashville (Big South), Hawaii (Big West), North Carolina-Wilmington (CAA), Alabama-Birmingham (CUSA), Valparaiso (Horizon), Yale (Ivy), Monmouth (MAAC), Akron (Mid-American), Hampton (MEAC), San Diego State (MWC), Wichita State (MVC), St. Francis Pa. (NEC), Belmont (Ohio Valley), Bucknell (Patriot), Chattanooga (Southern), Stephen F. Austin (Southland), South Dakota State (Summit), Arkansas-Little Rock (Sun Belt), Texas Southern (SWAC), New Mexico State (WAC), Gonzaga (WCC).
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Banned from participating: Alcorn State (SWAC), Florida A&M (MEAC), Stetson (Atlantic Sun) Central Arkansas (Southland), SMU (AAC), Southern Miss (C-USA), Pacific (WCC), Cal-State Northridge (Big West), Missouri (SEC), Louisville (ACC).
Transition Schools, ineligible for the tourney: Abilene Christian (Southland), Grand Canyon (WAC), Incarnate Word (Southland), UMass-Lowell (American East), Northern Kentucky (Horizon)
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Note: All RPI and statistical data is used from WarrenNolan.com.
About our bracketologist: Shelby Mast has been projecting the field since 2005 and has finished as one of the top 5 national bracketologists for his website, Bracket W.A.G. He’s predicted for The Indianapolis Star, collegeinsider.com and is an inaugural member of the Super 10 Selection Committee. Follow him on Twitter @BracketWag.
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