Bracketology: Iowa State falls to No. 4 seed as Texas Tech rises in NCAA Tournament projection
CBS Sports
by
David Cobb
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Iowa State has fallen to a No. 4 seed in the latest CBS Sports Bracketology projection following its loss to Arizona, while Texas Tech has moved up to a No. 3 seed after its strong performance without star forward JT Toppin. The Cyclones' recent struggles, including three losses in their last four games, have pushed them down the rankings despite still being competitive in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders' impressive run, highlighted by a key road win over Iowa State, has solidified their position as a top-three seed.
The tight competition among teams vying for spots in the Nos. 2-4 range underscores how critical this late stretch of the season is for securing favorable seeding. With less than two weeks until Selection Sunday, even small changes in team performance can have significant impacts on bracket positioning. Iowa State's drop reflects the challenges of maintaining consistency against tough opponents, while Texas Tech's rise demonstrates the importance of momentum and strong performances in key matchups.
Other notable shifts include Purdue dropping from a No. 2 to a No. 3 seed after losing two key games, and Michigan State climbing to a No. 2 seed following an impressive four-game winning streak. Florida and UConn are also on the rise, with the Gators closing in on an SEC title and the Huskies vying for a top spot. Alabama's recent surge has vaulted them from a No. 5 to a No. 3 seed, driven by an eight-game winning streak that includes a crucial road win over Tennessee.
The NCAA Tournament selection process is also navigating challenges related to potential rematches. The committee aims to minimize conference and non-conference matchups in the early rounds
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/3/2026