Wisconsin Basketball Bracketology Guide: March 7th

From all-conference selections to recruiting news, there has been no shortage of Wisconsin basketball news lately. First and foremost, however, remains the Badgers’ NCAA Tournament prospects.

Wisconsin begins Big Ten Tournament play tomorrow night against Ohio State. Before then, UW’s March Madness fate will be, in part, shaped by other games around the country.

Will Wisconsin Basketball Make the NCAA Tournament?

Yesterday was the first day that Wisconsin fell out of the aggregated bracket projection at Bracket Matrix. That projection remains the same today, as UW is the first team out of the field. Only 55 of 113 bracketologists have the Badgers in the NCAA Tournament. After two buzzer-beater wins last week, Penn State is the last team in the projected field.

Fortunately for Wisconsin, its NCAA Tournament prospects did not worsen yesterday. St. Mary’s and Gonzaga won their respective West Coast Conference Tournament semifinal matchups – meaning there will not be a bid thief in the WCC. Today, there are two conference championship games that could create bid thieves.

Good news for #Badgers fans – despite pushes from their respective opponents, St. Mary's and Gonzaga won their WCC semifinal matchups tonight, meaning there will be no bid thieves in the WCC.

The dream of landing on the right side of the bubble rolls on. #MarchMadness

— Kedrick Stumbris (@KedrickStumbris) March 7, 2023

Wisconsin Basketball NCAA Tournament Bubble Watch Guide

Charleston Cougars vs. UNC-Wilmington – Colonial Athletic Association Final – 6:00 PM CST on CBS Sports Network

Charleston won its 30th game yesterday in the CAA semifinals and has a small chance of making the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team. A loss in the final to UNC-Wilmington would be the Cougars’ third Quadrant 3 loss – likely eliminating them from at-large contention- but it would be best for Wisconsin basketball not to have to worry about Charleston potentially taking the Badgers’ spot on the bubble.

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles vs. North Dakota State Bison – Summit League Final – 8:00 PM on ESPN2

Oral Roberts is the highest-rated (Charleston is second) team at Bracket Matrix that is projected to make the tournament as an auto-qualifier but misses the field if it would need an at-large berth. The Golden Eagles are undefeated in Summit League play this season. Although Badgers and Golden Eagles (of Marquette) do not always get along, Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament chances would be better if Oral Roberts simply won the Summit League auto-bid tonight.

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