By BRIAN COSTELLO
We did our latest bracket projection today. Lots can change over the course of the next five days, but this is how we see it if today were Selection Sunday.
I admit there is one head-scratcher in here. I’m putting Niagara in the field even though they lost to Siena in the MAAC final. It would be a shocker to see them actually get in, but looking at their resume it matches up with other teams on the bubble. They have 26 wins, 15 away from home and two wins over Top 50 teams.
ALSO: TIM BONTEMPS’ BUBBLE WATCH Anyway, they could get passed in the coming days. But right now I think they deserve to get in. Here’s the field.
Final Four is West vs. East and South vs. Midwest
West (Glendale, Ariz.)
Kansas City, Mo.
1. Louisville vs. 16. Bowling Green
8. Texas vs. 9. Wisconsin
Dayton, Ohio
5. Gonzaga vs. 12. New Mexico
4. Florida St. vs. 13. Rhode Island
Portland, Ore.
3. Washington vs. 14. North Dakota St.
6. Butler vs. 11. Michigan
Kansas City, Mo.
7. West Virginia vs. 10. Boston College
2. Memphis vs. 15. Morgan State
East (Boston)
Philadelphia
1. Connecticut vs. 16. CS Northridge
8. Texas A&M vs. 9. Minnesota
Minneapolis
5. Clemson vs. 12. Western Kentucky
4. Xavier vs. 13. American
Miami
3. Duke vs. 14. Weber State
6. Marquette vs. 11. Penn State
Boise, Idaho
7. Tennessee vs. 10. Dayton
2. Oklahoma vs. 15. East Tenn State
South (Memphis)
Greensboro, N.C.
1. North Carolina vs. 16. Morehead St.
8. California vs. 9. Oklahoma St.
Portland, Ore.
5. Syracuse vs. 12. Northern Iowa
4. Illinois vs. 13. Niagara
Miami
3. Villanova vs. 14. Robert Morris
6. Purdue vs. 11. Arizona
Boise, Idaho
7. LSU vs. 10. Utah State
2. Kansas vs. 15. Cornell
Midwest (Indianapolis)
Dayton, Ohio
1. Pittsburgh vs. 16. Chattanooga/Alabama St.
8. Utah vs. 9. Ohio State
Minneapolis
5. UCLA vs. 12. VCU
4. Missouri vs. 13. Stephen F. Austin
Greensboro, N.C.
3. Wake Forest vs. 14. Binghamton
6. Arizona State vs. 11. Siena
Philadelphia
7. BYU vs. 10. Creighton
2. Michigan St.vs. 15. Radford
Last three in: Arizona, Penn State, Minnesota
Last three out: Temple, Tulsa, St. Mary’s
CONFERENCES WITH MULTIPLE BIDS:
Big 10: 8
Big East: 7
ACC: 6
Big 12: 6
Pac 10: 5
A10: 3
Mountain West: 3
Missouri Valley: 2
SEC: 2
MAAC: 2