The NCAA tournament field is almost set and the scenarios for which teams can still make it are among the most straightforward in recent memory.
In for sure
The following 12 teams are in for sure:
Denver
Minnesota Duluth
Harvard
Western Michigan
Minnesota
Boston University
Union
Mass.-Lowell
Cornell
Notre Dame
North Dakota
Penn State
In with a win
The winners of the WCHA tournament and Atlantic Hockey tournament will be in with their conferences’ autobids, but none can make it at-large. So, two more slots will be taken with two of the following teams:
Robert Morris or Air Force
Bowling Green or Michigan Tech
At-large hopes
With 14 slots taken, only 2 remain. The two teams eligible for at-large bids are:
Providence
Ohio State
Their fates come down to the two conference championships that feature one team that’s in for sure and one that isn’t. If a team that isn’t otherwise in takes one of those conference championships, they will take a slot and deny one of the at-large teams.
If Mass.-Lowell and Penn State win, both Providence and Ohio State are in
If only one of Mass.-Lowell or Penn State win, Providence is in but Ohio State is out
If Mass.-Lowell and Penn State both lose, both Providence and Ohio State are out