Selection Sunday is here: Where will HBCUs fall when the NCAA Tournament bracket is released?

The NCAA Tournament is back after a coronavirus pandemic-induced hiatus and HBCUs will be part of March Madness again.

The tournament will have a different look and feel for the participants in 2021. First, the entire event will be held in Indianapolis in an effort to mitigate transmission of COVID-19 that has made a significant impact during the regular season and even within conference tournaments.

As we approach Selection Sunday, SWAC champion Texas Southern and MEAC league titleholder Norfolk State will await their opponents and positions in the field of 68.

Before seeding and matchups are made official, here are where various college basketball prognosticators predict Texas Southern and Norfolk State will stand after all the participants are set.

As of Sunday morning, CBS Sports projects Texas Southern to face Sun Belt champion Appalachian State in the First Four. The winner will then play No. 1 seed and unbeaten Gonzaga in the West Region. Norfolk State is projected to play Mount Saint Mary’s in a South Region First Four contest.

Also read: Watch: Deja Winters hits 3-pointer to win women’s MEAC championship for North Carolina A&T

The Washington Post predicts that both Texas Southern and Norfolk State will be entrenched as No. 16 seeds in the field.

Like CBS and the Post, The Sporting News anticipates that Texas Southern and Norfolk will first have to navigate the long road of the First Four upon entry until the tournament.

Joe Lunardi of ESPN has Texas Southern and Norfolk State in the First Four against Appalachian State and Mount Saint Mary’s respectively.

Fox Sports tabbed Texas Southern to battle Mount Saint Mary’s for a shot to play Gonzaga and Norfolk State slotted to play No. 1 seed Baylor in the South Region opener.