Story perspectives

March Madness: Bubble Teams Scramble for Selection Seeds

3/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

The NCAA Tournament bubble remains precarious as Miami University (Miami RedHawks), University of Wisconsin–Madison (Wisconsin Badgers), and Texas Christian University (TCU) chase seeding.
The selection committee may prioritize Wins Above Bubble (WAB) this year.
The University of Texas at Austin (Texas Longhorns) cling to at-large hopes despite loss.
NC State Wolfpack gains ground with a win over Pitt.
Indiana University (Indiana Hoosiers) declines after a Big Ten exit.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NCAA Tournament marked a pivotal shift in college basketball, expanding the field to 64 teams and allowing the Villanova Wildcats to achieve a historic upset over the Georgetown Hoyas, winning 66-64. This change influenced selection criteria, with metrics like Wins Above Bubble becoming crucial for teams such as Miami University and Texas Christian University as they compete for at-large bids.

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Story summary

The NCAA Tournament bubble remains precarious as Miami University (Miami RedHawks), University of Wisconsin–Madison (Wisconsin Badgers), and Texas Christian University (TCU) chase seeding.
The selection committee may prioritize Wins Above Bubble (WAB) this year.
The University of Texas at Austin (Texas Longhorns) cling to at-large hopes despite loss.
NC State Wolfpack gains ground with a win over Pitt.
Indiana University (Indiana Hoosiers) declines after a Big Ten exit.

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