When the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee convenes on Selection Sunday, their work is nearly half-done. Of the 65 spots in your bracket, 31 are automatically assigned to conference champions -- leaving 34 spots for "at large" teams to be selected on their relative merits.
The following conferences will all receive automatic bids to the 2009 NCAA Tournament. All but the Ivy League will hold tournaments in early March to crown champions; the Ivy League's bid goes to the team with the best regular season record.
For the second straight year, the Big Red are going dancing. Cornell clinched the Ivy League title with a win over Penn on March 6.
Led by Belarusian center Artsiom Parakhouski, the Highlanders won the Big South tournament, beating VMI in the final.
ETSU is headed back to the Big Dance as champions of the Atlantic Sun Conference.
The newly-crowned Ohio Valley champs needed two overtimes to eliminate Austin Peay in the OVC finals.
The Panthers are headed back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
The 'Zags will be making their 11th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
The Mocs won the SoCon... which means Stephen Curry will be taking his heroics to the NIT.
8. Virginia Commonwealth
The Rams dominated George Mason to win the CAA title.9. Siena Saints
A second straight MAAC title sends the Saints back to the Big Dance.10. North Dakota State Bison
The 2009 NCAA Tournament officially has its Cinderella... the Bison of North Dakota State won the Summit League to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in the school's very first year of eligibility.
