March Madness: 5 Catholic Schools Battling For NCAA Basketball Tournament Bids
As February comes to an end, the race to secure a spot in the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament has certainly intensified. With Selection Sunday scheduled for March 15 looming, schools across the country are jockeying for position — some fighting to improve their seeding, while others want to remain on the bubble hoping to be selected.
For many programs this time of year, the question often shifts from whether they will make the field to how comfortably they can secure their place. For others, every remaining regular season game and conference tournaments carry with it significant weight, offering one last chance to reach the 68-team bracket.
This year’s tournament begins on March 17 with the First Four, the four play-in games to make the 64-team first round. Action continues throughout the month with the Final Four in Indianapolis to take place on April 4. The championship game will be played two days later.
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Automatic bids await conference tournament champions, but the majority of the field will be filled by at-large selections determined by overall body of work. Catholic colleges and universities have dominated the tournament for long stretches and have traditionally been very competitive in men’s basketball.
Here are five prominent Catholic schools and where each stands as the tournament approaches:
Gonzaga
The Bulldogs again appear positioned to extend its long NCAA tournament streak. Dominant within the West Coast Conference and battle-tested through non-conference scheduling, the Zags typically compile the kind of win totals and stats that translate well to at-large security. Their offensive execution and ability to score in bunches give them a strong chance to make the tournament. Since the WCC often produces up to two NCAA bids, the Jesuit school’s margin for error is slightly narrower than that of a power-conference team.
Graham Ike scored 19 points, matching a school record with seven steals, as Gonzaga routed Portland 89-48 on Feb. 25 to clinch at least a share of its first West Coast Conference regular-season championship in three years. In their final WCC home game before joining the reconstructed Pac-12 next season, the Bulldogs clinched the top seed in the conference tournament for the first time since 2022. Gonzaga has earned the No. 1 seed 11 times in the 17 seasons the WCC Tournament has been held in Las Vegas since 2009.
St. John’s
St. John’s, founded by the Vincentian Fathers, finds itself in more precarious territory compared to national locks. Competing in the Big East means traditionally tougher opposition. The Red Storm’s NCAA hopes hinge on finishing strong against conference opponents currently in the upper half of the standings. Signature wins can carry significant weight for bubble teams. It remains to be seen if they are rewarded with a bid, but winning the Big East would certainly end any doubt.
The Red Storm started the season ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll, their highest preseason ranking in program history. The men’s team have cracked the poll 24 times over the last two seasons under head coach Rick Pitino. It marks the highest total of weeks ranked in a two-season span since 1990-92, when St. John’s was in the AP Top 25 30 times.
Marquette
A perennial tournament presence, the Golden Eagles, also a Jesuit school, have had a challenging season. Nonetheless, they will need to secure key wins against high-level Big East opponents by finding a way to play 40 consistent minutes in order to solidify an at-large bid given just how competitive the conference has been this season.
The Golden Eagles defeated Georgetown on Feb. 24 after failing to win a road game since March 1, 2025, coincidentally on the road against the Hoyas. That skid included 12 games away from Fiserv Forum this season, including two neutral-court losses suffered in Chicago.
St. Mary’s
Based in California, Saint Mary’s has quietly assembled another consistent at-large consideration. Known for its disciplined defense, the Gaels rate highly in defensive efficiency metrics — a trait that bolsters their tournament profile — and competing in the WCC certainly gives them a chance at a bid. If not, St Mary’s, founded by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, could end up in the NIT.
St. Mary’s are riding high this season, setting a school record of 24 straight home wins at UCU Pavilion. The Gaels beat five teams twice during the streak — Oregon State, Pepperdine, Portland, USF and Washington State — and certainly can take advantage of home support.
Villanova
Until recently a powerhouse, Villanova’s tournament outlook depends largely on its finish in Big East play. The Wildcats, who won the NCAA Tournament as recently as 2018, need some quality wins — and a deep Big East run — in order to separate themselves from the rest of the bubble teams.
A balanced offensive attack and improved perimeter shooting typically define their successful stretches. When those two elements click, they look like a clear tournament team. If not, Villanova, founded by the Order of Saint Augustine, could be left out altogether.
Clemente Lisi is executive editor at Religion Unplugged.