The 2024 NCAA Tournament is almost here. March Madness is about to be underway and everyone across the country will scramble to fill out brackets once Selection Sunday is over. There will be a ton of changes, but we compiled an early prediction amid the start of championship week in college basketball.
The full tournament field will be released on Sunday, March 17, but some programs have already locked in an automatic bid by winning their respective conference tournament. A total of 32 teams will earn automatic bids through the conference tournament, and as of Monday, four programs have punched their tickets to the Big Dance. Here is a tracker of every team that has sealed their way to March Madness.
March Madness automatic bids
Stetson- Atlantic Sun Conference
Stetson punched its first-ever ticket to the Big Dance by defeating Austin Peay in the title game, 94-91. The Hatters was second in the Atlantic Sun standings with a 22-12 overall record and an 11-5 conference mark.
The Stetson Hatters are going to dance at this years #MarchMadness #ASUN #NCAA #Basketball pic.twitter.com/OFIeeF1UpR
— tuddle (@tuddle) March 10, 2024
Longwood- Big South Conference
Longwood went just 6-10 in Big South play but had a 21-13 overall record. They blew out UNC Asheville in the Big South title game, 85-59, and are headed for their second NCAA Tournament in the past three years.
Drake- Missouri Valley Conference
Drake finished 28-6 overall and 16-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference, just behind Indiana State. However, the Bulldogs upset Indiana State in the MVC title game, 84-80, to punch their ticket. The question now is whether or not the Sycamores and Cream Abdul-Jabbar will earn an at-large bid to the Big Dance.
If you’re watching the MVC Title Game, and you don’t think BOTH Drake and Indiana State deserve to be in the NCAA Tournament…
We cannot be friends. pic.twitter.com/USbV60Ft8K
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) March 10, 2024
Morehead State- Ohio Valley Conference
Morehead State was the first team to earn an automatic bid when they defeated Arkansas-Little Rock in the Ohio Valley Conference title game. They were the top seed, tied with Tennessee-Martin with a 14-4 conference mark.
Morehead State players and fans celebrating the OVC Championship win and punching their ticket to the big dance!
Morehead 69 Little Rock 55 pic.twitter.com/JqRCbynyAl
— Everything College Basketball (@ecbpodcast10) March 10, 2024
James Madison- Sun Belt Conference
James Madison had all kinds of success in football this past season, although Curt Cignetti then left for Indiana. Now, the Dukes are going to the Big Dance after defeating Arkansas State by 20 in the title game and finishing the year with an eye-popping 30-3 record.
Samford- Southern Conference
Samford finished the year with a 28-5 record and defeated Eastern Tennessee State in the SoCon title game to punch their ticket to March Madness.
Wagner- Northeast Conference
Wagner was a six-seed in the Northeast Conference tournament and had just seven healthy players. Yet, somehow, they defeated Merrimack and won the title, punching their first ticket to the Big Dance since 2003.
This is what March is all about 🙌@Wagner_MBB wins the @nechoops Tourney 🏆 pic.twitter.com/jHly550ZJA
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 13, 2024
Charleston- Colonial Athletic Association
Charleston was a sensation last March before losing to San Diego State in the tournament. Now, they have clinched another automatic bid by defeating Stony Brook in overtime. Pat Kelsey is back in March Madness.
"This team is special. Charleston is special! … OUR CITY!"@CofCBasketball punches their ticket to the Big Dance 🎟️ pic.twitter.com/XDgKvAFnNr
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 13, 2024
Oakland – Horizon
Oakland finishes as the Horizon League champion after defeating Milwaukee.
South Dakota State – Summit League
South Dakota State, the other SDSU, is headed for the Big Dance after defeating Denver.
Saint Mary's – West Coast Conference
Saint MAry's has won the WCC tournament by defeating Gonzaga and punched its ticket. They are going to be an interesting team to watch when the bracket are revealed.
Few things in college basketball are as visually satisfying as Saint Mary’s whipping the ball around with their hit ahead pick and rolls. pic.twitter.com/rsFz5zJSsp
— Eric Fawcett (@EricFawcett_) March 13, 2024
Here are the rest of the automatic bids:
- UAB, AAC
- Vermont, America East
- Duquesne, A-10
- NC State, ACC
- Iowa State, Big 12
- Illinois, Big Ten
- New Mexico, Mountain West
- Long Beach State, Big West
- Western Kentucky, Conference USA
- Yale, Ivy League
- Saint Peter's, MAAC
- Akron, MAC
- Howard, MEAC
- Grand Canyon, WAC
- Oregon, Pac-12
- Colgate, Patriot League
- Auburn, SEC
- UConn, Big East
- McNeese State, Southland
- Grambling, SWAC
- South Dakota State, Summit League
- Montana State, Big Sky