Championship Week is here, and the stakes are rising for Utah’s college basketball teams as they navigate their respective conference tournaments. With Selection Sunday rapidly approaching, BYU and Utah State appear poised to secure bids to the 68-team NCAA Tournament, while Utah Valley and Utah Tech are battling for an automatic berth through the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) tournament. The coming days will be critical as teams compete for conference championships and improved seeding in the annual March Madness tournament.
The question on many fans’ minds is whether Utah can be represented by three teams in the NCAA Tournament this year. Bracketology experts are closely monitoring the performance of BYU, Utah State, and Utah Valley, with daily updates expected leading up to Selection Sunday. The Deseret News is tracking the latest projections, providing a comprehensive look at each team’s chances.
Today, March 11, features crucial matchups for Utah schools. No. 16 Utah faces No. 9 Cincinnati in the Big 12 tournament at 1 p.m. MDT (ESPN+), while No. 10 BYU takes on No. 15 Kansas State at 5 p.m. MDT (ESPN+). These games represent a final opportunity for both teams to bolster their resumes and potentially improve their seeding.
BYU’s Tournament Outlook
BYU is widely considered a lock for an NCAA Tournament invitation, and current bracketology projections largely agree. Here’s a breakdown of where various experts see the Cougars landing:
- ESPN: No. 6 seed, vs. No. 11 UCF in the first round, West Region
- CBS Sports: No. 6 seed, vs. No. 11 Missouri in the first round, West Region
- USA Today: No. 6 seed, vs. No. 11 Miami (Ohio) in the first round, West Region
- NCAA.com: No. 6 seed, vs. No. 11 Santa Clara in the first round, West Region
- Hoops HQ: No. 6 seed, vs. No. 11 VCU/Stanford winner in the first round, South Region
BYU currently holds a NET ranking of No. 24, a KenPom ranking of No. 25, and a Wins Above Bubble (WAB) ranking of No. 23, further solidifying their position in the field.
Utah State’s Tournament Outlook
Like BYU, Utah State is also projected to produce the NCAA Tournament. Their seeding varies slightly across different projections:
- ESPN: No. 8 seed, vs. No. 9 TCU in the first round, South Region
- CBS Sports: No. 8 seed, vs. No. 9 Saint Mary’s in the first round, Midwest Region
- USA Today: No. 7 seed, vs. No. 10 Texas in the first round, Midwest Region
- NCAA.com: No. 8 seed, vs. No. 9 Iowa in the first round, South Region
- Hoops HQ: No. 9 seed, vs. No. 8 Georgia in the first round, Midwest Region
Utah State’s key statistics include a NET ranking of No. 29, a KenPom ranking of No. 36, and a WAB ranking of No. 34.
Utah Valley’s Tournament Outlook
Utah Valley faces a more challenging path to the NCAA Tournament, needing a strong showing in the WAC tournament to secure the league’s automatic bid. Current projections place them as a No. 13 seed:
- ESPN: No. 13 seed, vs. No. 4 Gonzaga in the first round, West Region
- CBS Sports: No. 13 seed, vs. No. 4 Gonzaga in the first round, West Region
- USA Today: No. 13 seed, vs. No. 4 Purdue in the first round, East Region
- NCAA.com: No. 13 seed, vs. No. 4 Gonzaga in the first round, West Region
- Hoops HQ: No. 13 seed, vs. No. 4 Alabama in the first round, Midwest Region
Utah Valley’s rankings are lower, with a NET ranking of No. 85, a KenPom ranking of No. 90, and a WAB ranking of No. 79.
Weber State was eliminated from the Big Sky tournament on Monday night, diminishing their chances of an at-large bid. Utah and Southern Utah face long odds to win their respective conference tournaments and earn an automatic qualification.
As Championship Week progresses, these projections are subject to change based on tournament results. Fans can stay tuned for daily updates as teams battle for a spot in March Madness.
What impact will today’s Big 12 tournament games have on BYU and Utah’s seeding? Share your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow basketball fans.
