How Colorado State’s conference tourney title shakes up March Madness

The Rams lit it up from behind the arc Saturday afternoon in Las Vegas to beat Boise State in the Mountain West championship game and lock up the automatic bid in March Madness, a stunning run for a team that wasn’t projected to make the tournament a few weeks ago.

Entering the conference tournament on a seven-game winning streak, Colorado State needed a big weekend to continue the momentum toward clinching a tournament spot, likely needing to win the crown to erase any doubt. After a comfortable win over Nevada and taking down tournament-bound Utah State, the Rams faced a Boise State team also trying to play its way out of the bubble.

But the Broncos couldn’t stop the 3-pointers. Of Colorado State’s 22 made shots, 12 came from 3-point land, dealing major blows to Boise State since it couldn’t keep up with the pace. The Rams took a big lead early in the second half and cruised toward a 69-56 victory.

How Colorado State win affects NCAA Tournament

A bid has been stolen as teams on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament will feel the effects of Colorado State’s win. In the latest USA TODAY Sports Bracketology, Colorado State was among the first four teams out, and given the not ideal NET ranking of No. 50 and 1-5 Quad 1 record entering the day, it was going to have a tough case toward making the bracket without the automatic bid.

Now with a spot in the NCAA Tournament guaranteed, the Rams will jump over the rest of the bubble teams and assure themselves a spot in the first round. While it won’t be a great seed − likely a No. 10 or 11 − it’s better than having to hope to get in or having to play in the First Four.

The teams that will be sweating even more now are San Diego State, Texas, North Carolina and Boise State, which were the last teams projected to make the field before Colorado State’s conference title. One team will be pushed out of the field by Colorado State, and it could result in a team like Vanderbilt being pushed down and having to play in the First Four to get into the first round.

For teams like Xavier, Indiana and Ohio State, among the first teams projected to miss the field, it gives an even more grim outlook on Selection Sunday, as the case to make the tournament becomes even harder.