As the excitement around this year’s NCAA Tournament builds to a crescendo, we’re here to reveal the final predictions for the bracket, spotlighting the impressive performance of teams from the Mountain West Conference.

In a stunning turn of events, Colorado State shocked pundits by clinching the Mountain West tournament title, showcasing a level of skill and tenacity that has gained them notoriety on the national stage. Meanwhile, the runner-up, Boise State, has also shown remarkable form as they head into the tournament. Based on their impressive tournament runs, our projections now show a strong likelihood of five Mountain West teams making it into the coveted field of 68.

This is particularly noteworthy as it surpasses the traditional power conferences, such as the Big East and the ACC. Unfortunately for the SEC, Texas finds itself just outside the tournament cut, reducing the conference's historic number of bids to 13 – a considerable blow for a league that typically boasts multiple teams in the dance each year. Notably, Xavier and North Carolina have also finished on the bubble, potentially missing out on a spot, sparking debates among fans and analysts alike.

The selection process is intricate, influenced not just by statistics but also by personal biases of the committee members. Some may push for teams like the Big East, who are struggling for respect with just four bids, or support storied franchises like North Carolina for their meticulous scheduling.

As the tournament draws near, keep an eye on matchups that could dramatically alter the bracket. For instance, if UAB secures a victory against Memphis in the AAC Championship, that could mean one less spot in the tournament. The same goes for George Mason facing VCU—upsets could lead to significant shake-ups in the final bracket reveal.

Key changes in this latest projection include Florida moving up to the No. 3 overall seed and landing in the Midwest, while Houston has secured its place at the top of the West bracket. St. John’s has climbed to a No. 2 seed, also in the Midwest.

Tennessee, facing an uphill battle in their SEC showdown against the Gators, could find themselves in an advantageous position depending on the outcome, as they seek a promising path through the playoffs that may include a potential matchup with Memphis, just a short trip to Lexington, Kentucky, away.

The countdown to the tournament is on, and with every passing hour, the anticipation grows. Will the Mountain West prove the doubters wrong? Only time will tell, but one thing's certain: this year's NCAA Tournament promises to be one for the ages!