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Bracketology: Bubble teams will be sweating these 5 conference tournaments

By Mike Phillips

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 27: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs defends against Joe Quintana #2 of the Loyola Marymount Lions in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center on February 27, 2021 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - FEBRUARY 27: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs defends against Joe Quintana #2 of the Loyola Marymount Lions in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center on February 27, 2021 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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Dec 15, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Loyola Ramblers center Cameron Krutwig (25) works the ball past Wisconsin Badgers forward Nate Reuvers (35) during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Loyola Ramblers center Cameron Krutwig (25) works the ball past Wisconsin Badgers forward Nate Reuvers (35) during the first half at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Leagues that could produce a bid thief – Missouri Valley Conference

Top Seed: Loyola-Chicago

One of the most underrated conference tournaments each year is Arch Madness, the Missouri Valley Conference’s showcase. The event has produced some incredible results over the years and this season could be the league’s most interesting tournament yet.

The favorite is top-seeded Loyola-Chicago, which is looking to make another deep March Madness run after their surprise trip to the Final Four in 2018. Senior center Cameron Krutwig played a key role on that team and the Ramblers have done enough to make the field even if they lose in St. Louis.

The other NCAA Tournament contender out of the Valley is Drake, which started the season 18-0 before going 6-3 down the stretch. A few key injuries have hurt the Bulldogs, who are in the bubble hunt as well but probably need to win Arch Madness to feel safe on Selection Sunday given their poor non-conference schedule.

Anyone upsetting Loyola-Chicago would shrink the bubble since the Ramblers would shrink the bubble by one spot. Arch Madness gets underway this week with the final set for Sunday, meaning we’ll know early on if we have any bubble shrinkage before the majority of conference tournaments tip off.

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