rewrite this title Five men’s college basketball teams with most on the line in conference tournaments

Selection Sunday is just over a week away. Many teams are safely in the field of 68 and playing their regular-season finales, and their upcoming conference tournaments, merely for seeding purposes.

However, there are also plenty of groups that reside firmly on the bubble, with some on the right side and others on the wrong side of it.

While some conference tourneys are underway, the bulk of the larger ones will be transpiring into next week. It’s imperative for bubble teams to fare well, and that could mean winning several games or even cutting down the nets to ensure an invite to the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Five teams with most to prove in conference tournaments

Auburn Tigers2025-26 record: 16-14 overall, 7-10 in SEC

The Tigers, led by first-year head coach Steven Pearl, have a so-so record this season, albeit playing an extremely difficult schedule in the rugged Southeastern Conference. Auburn’s NCAA NET ranking of No. 40 hovers right around the cut line for a potential at-large bid, while on the Bracket Matrix website, the Tigers appear just outside the bubble. A great showing in the SEC Tournament would serve Auburn well.

Miami (Ohio) RedHawks2025-26 record: 31-0 overall, 18-0 in Mid-American Conference

Miami (Ohio) won in overtime at Ohio on Friday evening to cap a perfect regular season, which is an incredible feat. However, the RedHawks have a NET of No. 53, with zero quadrant-one victories. They are forecast as a No. 11 seed in the Big Dance. It would seem unfair if Miami (Ohio) gets shut out of March Madness should it fail to win the MAC Tournament; the RedHawks will make life easier for themselves by claiming that event to get an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

SMU Mustangs2025-26 record: 19-11 overall, 8-9 in ACC

SMU is the quintessential bubble bunch. The Mustangs are projected as a No. 11 seed in the Big Dance. Their NET is No. 38, while SMU is 4-8 in quadrant-one affairs. Securing at least one or two wins in the ACC Tournament would likely cement the Mustangs’ position inside the field of 68.

South Florida Bulls2025-26 record: 22-8 overall, 14-3 in American Conference

Bryan Hodgson has done a terrific job in his first campaign as South Florida’s head coach. The Bulls have won the American Conference regular-season title, but their NET is just No. 49, they are 2-2 in quadrant one and they are projected as a No. 12 seed in March Madness. If South Florida flames out early in the American Conference Tournament, that could make Selection Sunday a bit uneasy for this squad.

VCU Rams2025-26 record: 24-7 overall, 15-3 in Atlantic 10

The Rams need a quality performance in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament to feel safe on Selection Sunday. Yes, the Rams collected 24 triumphs in the regular season, but they are 2-5 in quadrant one, and a sizable 19 of their games fall into quadrant three/quadrant four. VCU is predicted as a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and its NET is No. 44.