Last Four In: Eastern Kentucky, Missouri State, New Hampshire. Richmond
First Four Out: Elon, Eastern Washington, Villanova, Fordham
Even with the number of FBS/FCS match-ups dwindling as everybody moves towards conference play, another upset was scored this week. The way that Sacramento State dominated FBS Colorado State though, it can hardly be called an upset. With that, the Hornets have kicked the door in on the seed lines and made a cozy room for themselves.
Some decent movement this week. New Hampshire and Richmond jump onto the bracket for the Colonial. Elon almost did too, but it’s a 24-team bracket, not 25. They host Richmond next week, so they’ve got the perfect opportunity to play themselves on. Southeastern Louisiana won a barnburner over Incarnate Word and likely put a stranglehold on the Southland automatic as the rest of the conference doesn’t look to be at either of these teams' level. Southern Illinois beat North Dakota and directly took another spot. With SIU back on the bracket, that makes UIW’s early obliteration of them look even better. This is the reason UIW continues to hold a seed, which also includes a win over FBS Nevada.
If you look at the map, right now could possibly be a first, if the Selection Committee went this route. Every First Round game could be considered local, at least very close. These fall within the 400 mile parameter for busing as opposed to flying. This would save the NCAA a lot of reimbursement for travel. The Second Round would be a mess with almost everybody heading west. All four Big Sky teams on the bracket right now are national seeds. That’s a feat they pulled off just a few seasons ago.
Bids By Conference
**Atlantic Sun (2): *Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky
Big Sky (4): *Montana, Weber State, Sacramento State, Montana State
Big South (1): *Campbell
Colonial (4): *Delaware, William & Mary, New Hampshire, Richmond
Missouri Valley (4): *North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Missouri State, Southern Illinois
Northeast (1): *Sacred Heart
Ohio Valley (1): *Southeast Missouri
Patriot (1): *Holy Cross
Pioneer (1): *Davidson
Southern (3): *Chattanooga, Samford, Mercer
Southland (2): *Southeastern Louisiana, Incarnate Word
**Western (0):
* denotes an automatic qualifier
** one of the champions between the Atlantic Sun and Western combined, will also receive an automatic bid
