Who is Going to Host in the NCAA Tournament? – Episode 138

The 2025-2026 season has reached the point where we get weekly NPI releases from the NCAA but where NPI stands on any given day is far less interesting than where it will end up. There is still plenty of basketball left to be played to determine that, but while we don’t know exactly what will happen, we can use our efficiency ratings to simulate the rest of the season 1,000 times. That can give us a look at the range of possible outcomes and assign odds from very likely to very unlikely.

So which teams are in the best shape to make the NCAA Tournament – whether through their conference’s automatic bid or with an at-large bid should they need it? Who might host opening weekend games, or where could teams be sent to play first round games? We dive into a fresh set of simulations following the close of play on Sunday, February 15 to start setting some expectations.

Join us this week on The D3 Datacast for that and more as we look back at last week in a new Four-Point Play, have Matt debut his Top 25 ballot for this week, pick another slate of games against the computer line (with a guest picker!) and wrap-up with one item in this week’s mailbag.

Note: This episode had been available in early access through Patreon. Head to our Patreon page for more information on how you can support us and gain early access to future episodes.

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Who is Going to Host in the NCAA Tournament? – Episode 138

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