This Saturday, college basketball fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of games that could significantly influence the upcoming March Madness field. With Selection Sunday fast approaching, the stakes are high for teams vying for top seeds in the tournament.
At 3 p.m. ET, No. 2 Houston will take on No. 4 Arizona in a highly anticipated matchup featured on ABC. Later in the evening at 6:30 p.m. ET, No. 1 Michigan will face off against No. 3 Duke in what promises to be another thrilling clash, taking place in the nation’s capital.
This quartet of teams currently sits atop a mock bracket established during a gathering of college basketball media this past Thursday. Although the mock bracket won’t definitively dictate the decisions of the actual selection committee, it reflects a consensus among experts regarding the top teams in the sport. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi revealed that the projected top four seeds are Michigan, Duke, Arizona, and Houston.
Adding to the intrigue, Iowa State, which recently defeated Houston 70-67, is currently viewed as the top 2-seed in this hypothetical bracket. Should Arizona emerge victorious over Houston, the chances for Iowa State to secure a 1-seed could greatly increase.
In prediction markets, Iowa State’s odds of making the tournament as a 1-seed are currently trading at 25 cents per share, showing optimism following their recent success. Conversely, Houston’s prospects have dipped, trading as low as 37 cents per share after their loss.
Meanwhile, Florida stands out as the SEC team with the best chance to claim a 1-seed, although their path is complex, with a mere 8% likelihood. The Gators are scheduled to play against Ole Miss at noon ET, allowing their supporters to catch the later high-stakes matchups.
The upcoming weekend promises to be a pivotal one for teams looking to solidify their standings as the countdown to March Madness continues. Fans will surely be glued to their screens as they watch these critical games unfold.