With NCAA tournament selection one month away, the new NPI formula has reshaped the bubble picture. The top four—Michigan State, Michigan, North Dakota, and defending champ Western Michigan—are positioned for top seeds, though all must navigate demanding final schedules in powerful conferences.

Five more teams sit on relatively solid ground, including Penn State, which must prove it can beat elite opponents, and Quinnipiac, whose weak schedule is a question mark. Four others, like Minnesota Duluth and UConn, are in good shape but face risks from sloppy finishes.

The projected cutline sits at No. 15 in the NPI, with the Atlantic champion locking the final spot. The pressure intensifies as every remaining game impacts the math, with regional sites set for March 22 and the Frozen Four destined for T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.