Mar 4, 2025 - Sports

San Diego basketball teams on the bubble for March Madness

Kate Murphy

A side by side of photos with basketball players dribbling. — UCSD and SDSU are bubble teams for March Madness. Photos: David Dennis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In the final stretch of the college basketball regular season, San Diego State is a bubble team that still has "work to do" in securing a spot in the 2025 men's NCAA tournament, per ESPN's latest forecast.

Driving the news: The Aztecs' recent wins against New Mexico and Wyoming improved the team's chances of getting an at-large bid as a projected No. 9 or 10-seed.

The next test is Tuesday at UNLV, where the Aztecs could avenge their January loss to the Runnin' Rebels. A win would take some pressure off their need to perform well in Mountain West conference tournament.

The intrigue: SDSU is fundraising for and negotiating NIL deals to keep players on the roster for next season.

Meanwhile, UC San Diego has been building a solid March Madness resume all season, and currently has a 70% chance at getting an at-large bid as they're expected to win out, per ESPN.

UCSD could guarantee a spot by winning just two games in the Big West Championship. The 26-4 team is on an 11-game winning streak, and has a compelling case for its first NCAA tournament even without that trophy.
The Tritons could clinch the Big West regular season title in the final home game vs. Long Beach State Thursday night.

What next: SDSU's last home game is Saturday against Nevada.

Mountain West and Big West tournaments start March 12 and 13, respectively.
Selection Sunday is March 16.

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San Diego basketball teams on the bubble for March Madness

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