Bracketology: SEC leads bid race; Big Ten, Big 12 hogging top spots in projected NCAA Tournament field
CBS Sports
by
David Cobb
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The race for conference supremacy in the 2026 NCAA Tournament is heating up as Selection Sunday approaches. The SEC currently leads with 11 teams projected into the bracket, but the Big Ten and Big 12 are close behind, each vying for top spots and strong seeding. While the SEC holds the edge with 11 bids, the Big Ten’s three bubble teams—Ohio State, USC, and Indiana—are poised to potentially push their conference ahead if they secure at-large berths. Meanwhile, the ACC, Big East, and other conferences are also in the mix, with varying levels of success.
The Big Ten stands out for its competitive balance, with five teams already in the top 16 of the bracket. Michigan and Purdue are strong contenders for No. 1 seeds, while Illinois and Nebraska are close behind. The conference’s bubble is thick, with Ohio State, USC, and Indiana teetering on the edge of earning at-large bids. If all three secure their spots, the Big Ten could surpass the SEC as the top conference in terms of total bids. This dynamic makes the final week of February critical for determining the ultimate conference standings.
The ACC, meanwhile, is projected to send nine teams to the tournament, marking a significant rebound from last year’s low of four. Duke and Virginia are strong contenders for top seeds, while North Carolina and NC State also hold solid positions. However, the conference’s success hinges on whether Virginia Tech can earn an at-large bid, potentially pushing the total number of ACC teams into double digits. Clemson and Cal, currently on the bubble, could also impact the final tally.
The Big East lags behind, with only three teams projected to
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/24/2026