The Search for 65: Early Bracket Projections

Believe it or not there are only about two months left until Selection Sunday.  While some teams have dissapointed, others have strengthend their resume with impressive wins out of conference.  

What follows is an early look at who will be in this year's field.  The selections are based on record, RPI, opponents, and record versus top competition.

Conference winners are based on current standings.  At large teams in BOLD.

SOUTH

1. MEMPHIS (C-USA)

2. MICHIGAN STATE

3. DUKE

4. OLE MISS

5. WISCONSIN (BIG 10) 

6. XAVIER

7. DRAKE (MVC)

8. ARIZONA

9. UMASS

10. NOTRE DAME

11. LOUISVILLE

12.  NEW MEXICO (MWC)

13. HAMPTON (MEAC)

14. IUPUI- SUMMIT

15. UNC-ASHVILLE (BIG SOUTH)

16. PLAY IN GAME: CENTRAL ARK. (SOUTHLAND) VS. JACKSON ST. (SWAC)

EAST

1. UNC (ACC)

2. GEORGETOWN (BIG EAST)

3. VANDERBILT (SEC)

4. MARQUETTE

5. STANFORD

6. VILLANOVA

7. OHIO ST.

8. OKLAHOMA

9. ARIZONA STATE

10. MIAMI (FL)

11. CLEMSON

12. NIAGARA (MAAC)

13. EAST TENNESSEE STATE (ATLANTIC SUN)

14. BROWN (IVY)

15. UTAH ST. (WAC)

16. SOUTHEAST MISSOURI ST. (OHIO VALLEY)

MIDWEST

1. KANSAS (BIG 12)

2. UCLA

3. INDIANA

4. DAYTON (ATLANTIC 10)

5. ARKANSAS

6. BUTLER

7. GONZAGA

8. WEST VIRGINIA

9. OREGON

10. FLORIDA STATE

11. BAYLOR

12. KENT ST. (MAC)

13. HOLY CROSS (PATRIOT)

14. CS-NORTHRIDGE (BIG WEST)

15. CHATTANOOGA (SOUTHERN)

16. WAGNER (NORTHEAST)

WEST

1. WASHINGTON ST. (PAC-10)

2. TENNESSEE

3. TEXAS A&M

4. TEXAS

5. PITTSBURGH

6. ST. MARY'S, CA (WCC)

7. RHODE ISLAND

8. SYRACUSE

9. FLORIDA

10. ILLINOIS ST.

11. UNLV

12. SOUTH ALABAMA (SUN BELT)

13. CLEVELAND ST (HORIZON)

14. UMBC (AMERICAN EAST)

15. NORTHERN ARIZONA (BIG SKY)

16. DELAWARE (COLONIAL) 

LAST FOUR IN: UNLV, BAYLOR, CLEMSON, LOUISVILLE 

LAST FOUR OUT: MINNESOTA, KANSAS ST., UCONN, NEBRASKA

BIDS BY CONFERENCE: 

BIG EAST: 8

PAC-10: 6

ACC: 5

BIG 12: 5

SEC: 5

ATLANTIC 10: 4

BIG 10: 4

HORIZON: 2

MVC: 2

MWC: 2

WCC: 2 

OTHERS: 1