Bracketology: SEC holds narrow edge on Big Ten in race for most NCAA Tournament bids as March Madness nears
CBS Sports
by
David Cobb
March 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
March Madness is just around the corner, and the race for conference supremacy in the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket is heating up. The SEC remains in the lead with 10 teams projected in the CBS Sports Bracketology field, though Auburn’s recent loss has pushed them to the First Four Out list. Meanwhile, the Big Ten trails closely with nine teams, including Michigan and Illinois as strong contenders. With only one week of regular-season games left, the competition for the most NCAA Tournament bids is intensifying.
The SEC’s dominance is slight but significant, as Texas A&M now hangs on as a No. 11 seed. The Big Ten, however, shows promise with teams like Purdue and Wisconsin also securing strong positions. Other major conferences like the ACC and Big 12 are close behind, each projecting eight bids, though their bubble teams could shift the balance. The ACC includes Duke and Virginia, while the Big 12 features Arizona and Houston.
The Big East lags farthest with only three projected tournament teams: UConn, St. John’s, and Villanova. Smaller conferences like the WCC, Atlantic 10, and Mountain West are also contributing to the competition, though their bids remain limited. The MAC is a wildcard; if Miami (Ohio) finishes the season undefeated but loses in the conference tournament, they could secure two bids for the MAC.
For sports enthusiasts, this race matters because it determines which conferences will have the most representation in the NCAA Tournament bracket—a key factor for fans and teams alike as March Madness approaches. The high-major hierarchy is tight, with the SEC and Big Ten leading the pack, but the final week of regular-season games could bring significant changes to the rankings.
The projected bracket highlights the strength of the SEC and Big Ten, which together account for 19 of the top 68 spots. Teams like Florida, Alabama, and Michigan are securing high seeds, while bubble teams like Texas A&M, Indiana, and USC are fighting to avoid missing
Verticals
sports
Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/2/2026