By the time Selection Sunday arrives, there will have been plenty of movement in the projected field of 68 for the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament regarding the teams that are in, as well as those looking to get in.
While our Tuesday and Friday Bracketology updates allow us to look at the race to March Madness holistically twice a week, results every day matter and can affect teams — whether they’re playing or not. It’s particularly important during Champ Week, when a team’s bracket fate hangs on the two weeks of single-elimination conference tournaments — whether it’s a lock for the field or on the bubble.
Men’s bracketologist Joe Lunardi is tracking every relevant game every day — so why shouldn’t you?
Here, we provide an inside look at the headlines and upcoming matchups that inform Joey Brackets’ calculations on any given day, as he projects the teams that could have their names called on Selection Sunday (March 15).
This page will update every day through Selection Sunday. Games are listed in order of importance to bracket movement. A team’s projection on that day is listed in parentheses, if not otherwise noted.
Scores available here. All times Eastern
Projected field of 68 |
NCAA tournament details |
Bubble Watch |
Champ Week schedule
Friday, March 6
HEADLINES
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RedHawks are in: Miami (Ohio) has already clinched the No. 1 seed in the MAC tournament and will remain in the bracket regardless of Friday’s outcome.
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Status of the Rams: VCU takes the floor Friday night at Dayton as First Team Out, but will regain a Last Four In spot if it can pull off a crucial road victory.
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Conference tourney stakes: Top seeds Belmont (Missouri Valley), High Point (Big South), Merrimack (MAAC), Central Arkansas (Atlantic Sun) and Tennessee State (Ohio Valley) all begin conference tournament play Friday; all would be replaced in the projected field with a loss.
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NIT update: The following non-Power 4 regular season champions are guaranteed an NIT auto-bid should they lose in their conference tournaments: Miami (MAC), South Florida (American), Belmont (MVC), High Point (Big South), Liberty (Conference USA), Stephen F. Austin (Southland), UNC Wilmington (Coastal), North Dakota State (Summit).
GAMES THAT COULD AFFECT THE BRACKET
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(11) Miami (Ohio) at Ohio. The RedHawks can all but lock up NCAA bid with undefeated regular season. 9 p.m., ESPN2
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(First One Out) VCU at Dayton. A clear cut “win and in” or “out without” game for the First Team Out Rams. 7 p.m., ESPN2
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(5) St. John’s at (Next Four Out) Seton Hall. This is a must-win for the Pirates to remain in the NCAA conversation. 9 p.m., FS1
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(9) UCF at (Considered) West Virginia. Like Seton Hall, the Mountaineers are playing for their season. 8 p.m., CBSSN
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UNLV at (Next Four Out) San Diego State. It’s the same scenario for SDSU who must win to keep NCAA hopes alive. 10 p.m., CBSSN
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UT Martin at (16) Tennessee State. This is a compelling OVC semifinal; Tennessee State swept the season series. 8 p.m., ESPNU
