**Key Takeaways:**
– The Mountain West Conference, featuring last year’s runner-up San Diego State, kicks off its tournament with three games on Wednesday.
– Only one team will clinch an automatic spot in the 68-team NCAA March Madness tournament by winning the conference tournament, though five more are projected to receive at-large bids.
– This year, the Mountain West could match its record for the most teams in the tournament, potentially sending six teams, a feat previously achieved only by the Atlantic 10 in 2014.
– The tournament schedule spans from Wednesday through Saturday, with games broadcasted on CBS Sports Network and CBS, alongside streaming options on the Mountain West Network and Paramount+.
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Men’s college basketball’s conference tournament season is in full swing nationwide, setting the stage for the NCAA Division I tournament. Among the conferences making headlines is the Mountain West, home to last year’s national championship finalist, San Diego State. The conference is gearing up for its tournament, starting with three opening-round games this Wednesday.
In the fiercely competitive race to March Madness, only the conference tournament victor secures an automatic berth in the 68-team field. However, according to the latest bracketology forecasts by USA TODAY, the Mountain West is poised to make a significant impact, with five additional teams potentially receiving at-large bids. Should this projection hold true, the conference would tie its record for the most bids, a distinction it shares with the Atlantic 10’s performance in 2014. Currently, only the Big 12 and SEC are expected to send more teams to the tournament, with the Big Ten also projected to match this number.
As anticipation builds for this year’s Mountain West tournament, fans and participants alike are buzzing with excitement. The tournament not only offers a chance at NCAA glory but also features a $1 million prize for the winner of USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest.
The standings within the Mountain West reflect the outcomes of conference games, with tiebreakers determined by head-to-head matchups and records against common opponents. As it stands, Utah State leads the pack, followed closely by Nevada and Boise State, with several other teams in contention.
For those eager to catch the action, the Mountain West tournament unfolds from Wednesday, March 13, through Saturday, March 16, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network, with the final game airing on CBS. Streaming options are available through the Mountain West Network for the first round and Paramount+ for the final, with additional coverage accessible via fuboTV.
This year’s Mountain West tournament promises intense competition and the potential for memorable basketball moments, as teams vie for their shot at March Madness and beyond.