Selection committee chair Bruce Rasmussen told NCAA.com Wednesday night that the committee voted in 28 teams into the at-large pool. That includes some teams that will win their automatic qualification, meaning the number to get to 36 at-large spots could grow beyond eight.
MARCH MADNESS SHOP
Done playing, but still in contention:
Nebraska: Won 13 games in Big Ten is the Huskers pitch, but only one of the the 13 was against a top five Big Ten team (Michigan at home).
Penn State: Holding onto three Ohio State wins as its case.
Saint Mary’s: Shaky, due to only Quadrant One win at Gonzaga and the fact that they didn’t reach the WCC final.
Oklahoma: Despite the late season slide, the Sooners own quality non-conference wins that could propel them into the field.
Syracuse: Still owns quality road wins and losing to North Carolina doesn’t eliminate them.
Arizona State: Overall resume is still strong, despite the loss to a non-bound NCAA team in Colorado.
Lost Wednesday, but should be fine:
Virginia Tech: A number of quality wins, including one at Virginia.
Florida State: Still owns strong wins within the ACC at home against UNC, Clemson and Miami and a win at Louisville.
NC State: Remember, the Wolfpack beat four of the top 16 released by the committee last month, including one at North Carolina.
NCAA conference tournament schedule: Tracking March Madness 2018 automatic bids
Lost Wednesday and appears to be out:
Washington: Huskies lost to Oregon State in overtime in Las Vegas and have dropped six of the last nine, including two at home. The Huskies needed more of a run in the Pac-12 tournament.
