Power Five Underdogs Battle for NCAA Bids

0:00On March 10th, with the college basketball regular season wrapped up, conference tournaments are heating up as teams fight for spots in the 68 team NCAA tournament field. Only 31 automatic bids go to conference champs, leaving bubble teams scrambling for at-large births. Four underdogs from Power 5 leagues could shake things up by stealing those bids if they win it all. Four to state in the ACC has surge lately, winning 9 of their last 11 after a rough patch. There are the number 8 seed facing California on Wednesday, March 11th, with tough matchups like Duke ahead. Over in the ACC, Oklahoma flipped their season around 2, grabbing 6 wins in their final 8 games to hit 17 wins and 14 losses as. The number 11 seed against South Carolina. Cincinnati in the Big 12 boasts a top defense and key victories over powerhouses like Iowa State and Arizona. They're opening against Utah on Tuesday, March 10th, with a chance to advance deep.

1:00Marquette in the Big East is the longest shot at 12 wins in 19 losses, but their recent upset over number 4 Yukon has fans buzzing. Especially with Nigel James Jr. heating up. Bracketologists have these squads on the cusp, some just outside the field. A deep run could punch their ticket and bump others off the bubble, while a title clinches it outright, as these tournaments unfold this week. Keep an eye on these surprise contenders. They could redefine the March Manus Bracket before it even starts.