We are now officially less than a week from Selection Sunday, aka Christmas morning for a number of bubble teams. That being said, let’s take a look at the teams who have clinched automatic bids so far and are assured a spot in the Dance.
Atlantic Sun: North Florida Ospreys (23-11)
The Ospreys were the best team in the Atlantic Sun in the regular season and right on through the conference tournament on their way to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance. Not bad for a team who has been a Division 1 program for less than a decade.
North Florida is from the same conference as Florida Gulf Coast who went on a Cinderella run and quite frankly had a similar back story in 2013. Don’t expect a sweet 16 from the Ospreys but do expect them to be a tough out regardless of their seed.
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Big South: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (24-9)
Coastal Carolina has never won a game in the NCAA tournament. However, the Chanticleers are returning for the Second straight year after a 21 drought was ended last season. Much like UNF expect CCU to be a very tough out as last year they gave Virginia a scare in the first round as a 16 seed.
Missouri Valley: Northern Iowa (30-3)
Let’s be clear, the Panthers did not need to get the automatic bid, they are the only one of the four teams to clinch a spot so far that would have been an at large. Bubble teams around the country are rejoicing because of the Panthers second half comeback over Illinois State in the Conference championship after trailing by 14 at the half.
The Panthers have a great shot to make some noise this year. UNI has not made the tournament since 2010, where they scored a first round victory over UNLV and pulled a big upset over top seed Kansas to advance to the Sweet 16. This year UNI figures to have a great chance to go at least that far if not further.
Ohio Valley: Belmont Bruins (22-10)
No one should be too surprised to Belmont back in the NCAA tournament. They have never won a game but they have become fixtures in March with 7 appearances all since 2006 and now their 4th in 5 years. The only surprising part about the Bruins making it this year is that they had to upset Murray State in the OVC championship, a team that had not lost a conference game all year and was riding a 25 game win streak. Regardless of how they got here the Bruins can score look for them to pose a challenge to one of the higher seeds this year.
Three more tickets will be punched today:
CAA Championship: William & Mary (20-11) vs. Northeastern (22-11) at 7 PM
SoCon Championship: Wofford (27-6) vs. Furman (11-21) at 7 PM
MAAC Championship: Iona (26-7) vs. Manhattan (18-13) at 9 PM