As Selection Sunday approaches, the competition for spots in the NCAA Tournament intensifies. Various conferences are showcasing their best teams, with some making strong cases for at-large bids while others face elimination. The Mountain West Conference is particularly noteworthy, with Boise State and Colorado State emerging as potential contenders for automatic bids. Meanwhile, power conferences like the ACC, Big East, and SEC have seen higher seeds dominate, leaving fewer opportunities for bubble teams. In this analysis, we explore which teams remain in contention and examine their chances.

In the Mountain West, Boise State has bolstered its resume by defeating New Mexico in the conference tournament semifinals. This victory adds weight to their case for an at-large bid if they fail to secure the automatic spot. Conversely, Colorado State's impressive performance against Utah State highlights their potential but also underscores the need for another win to ensure a tournament berth. Outside of the Mountain West, Memphis narrowly avoided defeat against Wichita State, maintaining their status as favorites among bubble teams.

Within the ACC, North Carolina and Wake Forest find themselves teetering on the edge. Despite solid metrics, UNC’s poor record in Quadrant 1 games raises concerns about their viability. Similarly, Wake Forest struggles due to lackluster quality metrics and insufficient victories over likely tournament teams. Over in the Big 12, Baylor remains hopeful despite a narrow loss to Texas Tech, supported by favorable resume metrics and crucial Quadrant 1 wins.

The Big East presents Xavier as a prime example of bubble uncertainty. After leading Marquette for much of their matchup, they ultimately fell short, leaving them dependent on external factors such as UConn’s ranking improvements. Turning attention to the Big Ten, Indiana boasts competitive resume metrics yet suffers from a subpar Quadrant 1 record, whereas Ohio State faces dire straits following an early exit against Iowa.

In the SEC, Arkansas seeks redemption after losing to Ole Miss, relying heavily on previous Quadrant 1 triumphs. Oklahoma and Texas represent intriguing cases within the conference; both possess respectable records against top-tier opponents but encounter skepticism regarding overall consistency and nonconference strength. Beyond major conferences, smaller programs like Boise State, Dayton, VCU, UC Irvine, and UC San Diego continue battling for recognition amidst challenging circumstances.

Ultimately, these final days leading up to Selection Sunday will prove critical for numerous teams vying for inclusion in March Madness. Whether through securing automatic berths or convincing the selection committee via compelling resumes, each program must capitalize on remaining opportunities. As results unfold across various tournaments, fans eagerly anticipate learning which squads earn coveted spots in college basketball's premier event.