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Top Seeds Take Shape as Conference Tournaments Begin

Bracket projections now center on Duke, Michigan, Arizona, UConn, raising stakes for bubble teams across the SEC, Big 12.

Overview

  • Duke and Arizona secured outright league titles on Monday, joining previously crowned Big Ten champion Michigan to tighten the race for the final No. 1 seed line, with UConn and Florida in close pursuit in media models.
  • ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projects Duke, Michigan, Arizona and UConn as the four No. 1 seeds in the latest men’s bracket forecast, creating a distinct top tier ahead of Selection Sunday.
  • The SEC is projected as the deepest league with 11 NCAA bids in USA TODAY/Yahoo Sports bracket projections, outpacing the Big Ten (9) and ACC/Big 12 (8 each).
  • Bubble movement remains volatile: Auburn has slid to the first four out in several models, while CBS flags UCLA and TCU with high-value opportunities Tuesday that could solidify at-large cases; San Diego State and VCU are among teams fighting back onto the right side.
  • The Big 12 women’s tournament runs March 4–8 at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center on ESPN platforms, with TCU entering as the No. 1 seed and defending champ and the league unveiling an LED glass floor for official competition.