Iowa's Bracketology Status Deteriorates After Nebraska Loss The Iowa Hawkeyes' recent defeat to No. 9 Nebraska in overtime has significantly impacted their NCAA Tournament seeding prospects, pushing them further down the bracketology rankings. The loss, which ended Iowa's hopes of securing a single-digit seed, has led to projections of a No. 10 seed in the upcoming tournament. This marks the first time since the start of the season the team is projected to be a double-digit seed, reflecting a steep decline from their earlier AP Top 25 rankings and previous projections of a No. 6 seed. The Hawkeyes' struggles have been evident throughout the season, with six of their last eight games resulting in losses. Four of those setbacks came against ranked opponents, including the recent overtime defeat to Nebraska. The loss not only deepened their woes but also raised concerns about their ability to secure a favorable path in the tournament. Analysts note that a No. 10 seed would present challenges, as the team would face a No. 7 seed in the first round, a scenario that could prove difficult despite the potential for a second-round matchup against a No. 2 seed. Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi has placed Iowa in the Midwest region, where they would play in Philadelphia, with later rounds set to take place in Chicago. Their projected first-round opponent is No. 7 seed Kentucky, a team with a 19-12 record that has fallen from earlier expectations of a No. 2 seed. While Kentucky's performance remains uncertain, the Hawkeyes' path includes a potential matchup with UConn, the No. 2 seed in the region, and a No. 1 seed Michigan, which they narrowly defeated earlier in the season. Despite the challenges, Iowa's position in the bracket offers some hope. A strong showing against a No.#nebraska #iowa_hawkeyes #joe_lunardi #bracketology #midwest_region
UMBC Secures America East Title, Earns NCAA Tournament Bid DJ Armstrong Jr. poured in 33 points, including seven 3-pointers, to lead the Retrievers to a 74-59 victory over Vermont in the America East championship game. The win secured UMBC’s first NCAA tournament berth since 2018 and marked their third appearance in the postseason. The Retrievers, ranked No. 1 in the tournament, will compete for the first time since their historic upset of No. 1 seed Virginia in 2018. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projected UMBC as a No. 16 seed in his latest bracket, giving the team another chance to face a top-tier opponent. Armstrong’s performance was pivotal, as he hit three 3-pointers, including a four-point play, to give UMBC a 64-56 lead with under two minutes remaining. The Retrievers closed the game by making 10 of 10 free throws, with Armstrong and Josh Odunowo combining for the final 10 points. Armstrong shot 9 of 11 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line, while Ace Valentine added 13 points and made all seven of his free throws. UMBC’s 22-of-26 free-throw accuracy contrasted with Vermont’s 4-of-10 performance. TJ Long led Vermont with 17 points, but the Catamounts struggled from the line, limiting their ability to close the gap. Long’s 3-pointer early in the second half gave Vermont a 17-12 lead, but Armstrong’s three-point play sparked a 12-2 run to give UMBC a 30-28 halftime advantage. Vermont managed a 51-48 lead in the second half but couldn’t sustain the momentum. UMBC’s dominance at home this season, with a 15-2 record, and their undefeated home slate against America East opponents underscored their strength. The victory not only secured the America East title but also positioned UMBC for a potential NCAA run, with Armstrong’s heroics setting the stage for a historic chapter in the program’s history.#ncaa_tournament #joe_lunardi #america_east #umbc #dj_armstrong_jr
Auburn basketball NCAA tournament bubble: Bruce Pearl conflict of interest Auburn has been the focus of numerous college basketball discussions in recent weeks. The Tigers, with a record of 17-16, are on the NCAA tournament “bubble” and are hoping to become the first team ever to secure an at-large bid to March Madness despite having more than 15 losses. Their quality wins over teams like Florida and St. John’s have made this possibility seem plausible, but many bracketologists currently predict the Tigers will miss the cut. At the center of these conversations is not head coach Steven Pearl or any of Auburn’s current players, but rather former Auburn head coach and current college basketball analyst Bruce Pearl, Steven’s father. Pearl, who stepped down as Auburn’s head coach on the eve of the 2025-2026 season’s practice, now serves as a commentator and studio analyst for TNT and CBS Sports. His role typically involves providing objective analysis of the sport, yet his family ties to Auburn and his continued financial connection to the university have sparked debate. Pearl remains listed as part of Auburn’s athletic department and is still receiving payments from the university. According to Auburn’s online payroll database, he recently received a $12,500 payment on Feb. 27. His title is “Special Assistant to the Athletic Director,” a position that has raised questions about his impartiality. Despite stepping down as head coach, his financial relationship with Auburn persists, creating a potential conflict of interest as the NCAA tournament selection process approaches. Auburn, which is firmly on the bubble, is expected to be a major topic on Selection Sunday. Pearl will be part of CBS Sports’ Selection Sunday studio team, despite his ongoing financial ties to the university.#cbs_sports #bruce_pearl #tnt #auburn #joe_lunardi
