Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Conference Tournaments - March 5, 2026

 Missouri Valley

#1 Seed – Belmont

Belmont is one Quad win away from being an actual At-Large candidate.  They were the best resume in the Blind Resume post.  Resume metrics have them ahead of teams like Texas A&M and San Diego State.  Predictive doesn’t like them as much.  They are close but I don’t think they will get an at-large if they lose during Arch Madness.  Northern Iowa is going to be their toughest test but I hope Belmont wins and takes a 5 seed down.  The pick is Belmont.

Metro Atlantic

#1 Seed – Merrimack

Merrimack is the only team above 200 in KenPom and is the only team from this conference that would be as high as a 15 seed.  A couple teams can push Merrimack and I’m going with Siena to get it done.  Gerry McNamara gets it done, wins a play in game as a 16 seed, then takes the Syracuse job.  The pick is Siena

West Coast

#1 Seed – Gonzaga

Another bracket that looks like a flying V.  Gonzaga and St. Mary’s get byes to the semi-finals.  I’d love to see another game between the these teams but Santa Clara is creeping around.  I want 3 West Coast teams in the Tournament.  The pick:  Santa Clara.

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