Editor's note - I've updated the bracket files to reflect the result of the Big West final. I've also corrected a couple of math/spelling errors that are easier to catch at 10 a.m., as opposed to 1 a.m. - C.D.
Here's the latest bracket, updated through all games today, except for the Big West final. (Seed List, Trends)
There aren't a ton of changes, so I'll run through them quickly before looking at the numbers.
- Louisville moves up to the number one overall seed. I can't argue with winning both the Big East regular season and tournament championships.
- Missouri moves up enough on the 3 line after winning the Big 12 to get to a more advantageous site, Minneapolis.
- Syracuse moves up to a 3, even with the loss in the Big East final. Wake Forest drops to a 4, though they both remain in Miami.
- With USC's win in the Pac-10 final, Penn State falls out. San Diego State is currently the last team in.
Keep in mind that since I'll probably be giving the Last Four In and First Four Out groups another careful look tomorrow, so there could still be another change or two coming. A Mississippi State win in the SEC final would clear up the bubble picture considerably, however.
Now to the updated numbers...
ONE-BID LEAGUES (18)
Binghamton (America East), East Tennessee State (Atlantic Sun), Portland State (Big Sky), Radford (Big South), Cal State-Northridge/Pacific (Big West), VCU (Colonial), Cornell (Ivy), Siena (Metro Atlantic) Akron (MAC), Morgan State (MEAC), Robert Morris (Northeast), Morehead State (Ohio Valley), American (Patriot), Chattanooga (Southern), Stephen F. Austin/Texas-San Antonio (Southland), Alabama State (SWAC), North Dakota State (Summit), Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)
LIKELY ONE BID LEAGUES (4)
Memphis (C-USA), Northern Iowa (MVC),Gonzaga (WCC), Utah State (WAC)
LOCKS IN MULTI-BID LEAGUES (9 automatic qualifiers, 30 at-larges)
ACC (6) - North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, Florida State, Clemson, Boston College
Atlantic-10 (3) - Xavier, Dayton, Temple
Big East (7) - Louisville, Pittsburgh,Connecticut, Villanova, Syracuse, West Virginia, Marquette
Big Ten (6) - Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan,
Big 12 (5) - Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma State
Horizon (2) - Butler, Cleveland State
Mountain West (2) - Utah, BYU
Pacific 10 (5) - Washington, UCLA, Arizona State, California, USC
Southeastern (2) - LSU, Tennessee
That accounts for 60 of 65 teams, meaning we have 24 teams fighting for five spots, though only 12 or 13 of them have realistic hopes. Maryland's status is also up in the air, but they don't fit in the lock or last four in categories.
Here the remaining teams under consideration, presented in S-curve order.
LAST FOUR IN
Minnesota
Texas A&M
San Diego State
Creighton
FIRST FOUR OUT
Saint Mary's
Penn State
Arizona
New Mexico
NEXT FOUR OUT
Auburn
UNLV
Florida
South Carolina
ALSO CONSIDERED - Virginia Tech, Davidson. Baylor, Mississippi State, Providence, Illinois State, Niagara, UAB, Kentucky, Northwestern, Duquesne, Rhode Island
I will probably do a bit of a mini update with my morning review/preview post to reflect the Big West final, but the next full update will be my final one later this afternoon.