5 teams most likely to make NCAA Tournament for first time

1. Utah Valley

Like many teams on this list, Utah Valley won at least a share of its conference regular season championship. Unlike other teams on this list however, this is not the Wolverines first rodeo winning the WAC regular season title as they have done so two times previously.

With a 23-7 record and 14-3 record in the WAC, Utah Valley is in prime position to make it into the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. There is one formidable obstacle in its way though in Sam Houston State, which currently has a 23-6 overall record and a 13-4 conference record.

While SHSU does present a difficult task, the Wolverines have proven they can handle them with an 80-64 victory over the team during their only meeting of the season on Dec. 29. Given its previous victory over Sam Houston and a likely No. 1 seed in the WAC tournament, expect Utah Valley to hear its name called for March Madness for the first time ever.

Congratulations once more to @UVUmbb on securing at least a share of the 2022-23 #WAChoops Championship! 🏀🏆 pic.twitter.com/R0fggeY5VS

— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) March 2, 2023