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Midmajors Poised to Make Waves in Women’s NCAA Tournament

ByCoach

As we approach Selection Sunday, we’ll turn our attention to the mid-major teams in women’s college basketball who have had standout seasons and could potentially crash the party.

These teams, often overlooked, have demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout the season.

In this blog post, we will delve into some of these remarkable programs, their achievements, and their prospects for making it to the NCAA Tournament.

We’ll also examine the bubble teams from various conferences and their chances of securing a spot in the Big Dance.

Mid-Major Teams to Watch

The mid-major teams have had an incredible season, with several programs achieving historic milestones. Here are a few teams that have stood out:

Montana State Bobcats

The Montana State Bobcats, under the leadership of Tricia Binford, have had a phenomenal season with a record of 27-3. They are the outright Big Sky champions and boast the 16th stingiest defense in the country, according to CBB Analytics.

With signature wins over Northern Arizona, Florida Gulf Coast, Troy, and Eastern Carolina, the Bobcats are in prime position to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.

Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons

The Mastodons have made significant strides under Maria Marchesano, securing a second straight 20-win season and tying the program record for wins (23). Competing in the Horizon League, they are jostling with Green Bay and Cleveland State for control.

While they need to win the conference tournament to make it to the Big Dance for the first time, their season has already been a massive success.

Southeastern Louisiana Lions

Southeastern Louisiana has had an impressive season, sitting at 25-4 and enjoying their best run in Southland play (19-1) since joining in 1997. Under Ayla Guzzardo’s leadership, the Lions have turned the program around, achieving four straight winning seasons and a great shot at their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Bubble Teams from Major Conferences

As we move closer to Selection Sunday, several teams from major conferences are on the bubble, fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Let’s take a closer look at some of these teams and their prospects:

ACC Bubble Teams

Virginia Tech is currently the last team in the bracket, sliding into the First Four. They need to secure a win in the ACC tournament against Georgia Tech to shore up their chances of making it to the NCAA Tournament.

On the other hand, Marquette and Seton Hall from the Big East are also on the bubble. Seton Hall, in particular, needs a strong performance in the Big East tournament to improve their standing.

Big Ten Bubble Teams

Nebraska and Washington are two bubble teams from the Big Ten. The first-round meeting between the Huskies and Golden Gophers in the Big Ten tournament could have a significant impact on their tournament prospects.

Washington has a cleaner resume, but both teams need to stack up wins to secure a spot in the Big Dance.

Big 12 Bubble Teams

In the Big 12, Arizona and Colorado are on the bubble. These two teams will likely face off in the Big 12 tournament, with the winner having the opportunity to cast aside doubts from the regular season and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Other Notable Teams and Conferences

Several other teams and conferences are worth mentioning as we approach Selection Sunday:

SEC Teams

Mississippi State is projected to be in the NCAA Tournament, but they have a great shot at boosting their seeding with a strong performance in the SEC tournament.

Winning two games could take the Bulldogs from the No. 8/No. 9 line to a No. 7 seed, providing a much easier path in the NCAA Tournament.

Missouri Valley Conference

The MVC is unlikely to be a bid-stealer on Selection Sunday, but the league’s upper tier is extremely close. Missouri State, Drake, and Murray State are all in a three-way tie for first place. Belmont and Illinois State are just one game behind, making the MVC tournament an exciting and competitive event to watch.

Projected In Teams

Several teams are projected to be in the NCAA Tournament, including:

  • Albany
  • Ball State
  • Columbia
  • Fairfield
  • Fairleigh Dickinson
  • FGCU
  • Gonzaga
  • Grand Canyon
  • Green Bay
  • Hawaii
  • Harvard
  • High Point
  • James Madison
  • Lehigh
  • Middle Tennessee
  • Missouri State
  • Montana State
  • Norfolk State
  • North Carolina A&T
  • North Carolina-Greensboro
  • South Dakota State
  • Southeastern Louisiana
  • Southern
  • Tennessee Tech
  • UNLV
  • UTSA

Conclusion

As we approach Selection Sunday, the excitement and anticipation continue to build.

The mid-major teams have had remarkable seasons. Several bubble teams from major conferences are still fighting for their spot in the NCAA Tournament.

With so much at stake, the upcoming conference tournaments will be critical in determining which teams make it to the Big Dance. For more detailed analysis and updates, be sure to check out the original article.

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