Miami (Ohio) safe, Auburn not on NCAA Tournament bubble

The teams still playing in conference tournaments have a chance to differentiate themselves

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:13am

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The 2026 NCAA Tournament bubble is starting to feel the squeeze as bid stealers emerge during Championship Week. Miami (Ohio), the last undefeated team in the country, lost in the MAC tournament quarterfinals, but its 31-1 record should still see it through to the field. Teams like Texas, SMU, Auburn, and Oklahoma are feeling the stress as the bubble shrinks. The teams still playing have a massive chance to differentiate themselves, but more bid stealers are the most likely outcome.

Why it matters

The bubble is tightening as conference tournament champions claim automatic bids, leaving fewer at-large spots available. This puts pressure on teams like Miami (Ohio), Texas, SMU, Auburn, and Oklahoma to either secure their spot or risk missing out on the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Miami (Ohio) lost to UMass in the MAC tournament quarterfinals, finally watching its luck in close games run out. However, the RedHawks' 31-1 record should still see them through to the field. Teams like Texas, SMU, Auburn, and Oklahoma are feeling the stress as the bubble shrinks. Besides NC State, the ACC's bubble teams seem out of luck, and it is extremely difficult to envision Indiana squeezing its way in.

  • On Thursday, the 2026 bubble started to feel the squeeze.
  • Miami (Ohio) lost to UMass in the MAC tournament quarterfinals.

The players

Miami (Ohio)

An American college basketball team that was the last undefeated team in the country before losing in the MAC tournament quarterfinals.

Texas

A college basketball team that is a true fringe case for the NCAA Tournament, having lost five of their final six games.

SMU

A college basketball team that remains an exceedingly questionable case right near the cut line for the NCAA Tournament.

Auburn

A college basketball team that could not finish the job against Tennessee in the SEC tournament and must now hope for special consideration to sneak into the NCAA Tournament field.

Oklahoma

A college basketball team that has fought its way to the brink of the NCAA Tournament field, winning eight of their last 10 games.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.