***NCAA Bubble Breakdown - 3/7***

[ZeroTolerance 582]

Single bid conferences (15): America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Ivy, MAAC, MEAC, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southland, SWAC, Summit, WAC

 

Teams that are 'in' (27):

A-10 - Xavier

ACC - Duke, North Carolina, Clemson

Big XII - Kansas, Texas

Big East - Georgetown, Louisville, UConn, Notre Dame, Marquette

Big Ten - Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue, Michigan St

C-USA - Memphis

Horizon - Butler

Missouri Valley - Drake

Mountain West - BYU

Pac-10 - UCLA, Stanford, Washington St

SEC - Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Mississippi St

WCC - Gonzaga, St Mary's

 

Atlantic 10

 

----Massachusetts (20-9, 9-6, 38 RPI)

------------Positives: swept Rhode Island, 1-0 vs Dayton

------------Negatives: swept by St Joe's, 9-3 vs RPI 101-200

------------Non-conference: 11-3 (23 RPI, 85 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: @Syracuse, Houston

------------Key losses: @Vanderbilt, @IUPUI

------------Last 12: 7-5*

------------Remaining: @George Washington

 

----St. Joseph's (18-10, 9-6, 56 RPI)

------------Positives: swept UMass, 10-5 road/neutral, 3-2 vs top 50, 1-0 vs Rhode Island

------------Negatives: 5-4 vs RPI 101-200

------------Non-conference: 9-4 (66 RPI, 126 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Villanova

------------Key losses: @Syracuse, Gonzaga, @Creighton

------------Last 12: 7-5

------------Remaining: @Dayton

 

----Dayton (19-9, 7-8, 37 RPI)

------------Positives: non-conf RPI, 14-1 with Chris Wright, 6-2 vs 51-100

------------Negatives: conf record, 6-4 vs 101-200, 0-1 vs UMass

------------Non-conference: 12-1 (4 RPI, 45 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: @Louisville, Pittsburgh

------------Key losses: @George Mason

------------Last 12: 5-7*

------------Remaining: St. Joseph's

 

---Rhode Island (21-9, 7-8, 59 RPI)

------------Positives: 5-0 neutral

------------Negatives: swept by UMass, 0-1 vs St Joseph's, 17-3 vs 101+, non-conf SOS, 2-6 last 8

------------Non-conference: 14-1 (21 RPI, 191 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: UAB (N), @Syracuse

------------Key losses:

------------Last 12: 6-6

------------Remaining: Charlotte

 

 

ACC

 

---- Miami (FL) (20-8, 8-7, 24 RPI)

------------Positives: 4-3 vs RPI top 50, 5-3 vs 51-100, 29 SOS, 2-0 vs Maryland/Va Tech

------------Negatives: non-conf SOS

------------Non-conference: 12-1 (24 RPI, 153 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: VCU (N), @Miss. St, Providence

------------Key losses: Winthrop (N)

------------Last 12: 7-5*

------------Remaining: @Florida St

 

---- Virginia Tech (18-11, 9-6, 57 RPI)

------------Positives: conf record, swept Maryland, 5-3 vs 51-100

------------Negatives: 0-5 vs top 50, 8-3 vs 101-200, 4-7 road, non-conf RPI/SOS, 0-1 vs Miami

------------Non-conference: 9-5 (91 RPI, 128 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins:

------------Key losses: Butler (N), Gonzaga (N), @Old Dominion

------------Last 12: 7-5*

------------Remaining: @Clemson

 

----Maryland (18-12, 8-7, 63 RPI)

------------Positives: 14 SOS, swept Wake Forest, 6-4 vs 51-100

------------Negatives: 111 non-conf RPI, swept by Va Tech, 0-1 vs Miami, 1-6 vs top 50, 8-2 vs 101-200

------------Non-conference: 10-5 (111 RPI, 82 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins:

------------Key losses: VCU (N), Missouri (N), UCLA (N), Ohio

------------Last 12: 7-5

------------Remaining: @Virginia

 

 

Big 12

 

----Kansas St (18-10, 9-6, 44 RPI)

------------Positives: 3rd in Big XII, 18 SOS, 2-0 vs Oklahoma/Texas A&M

------------Negatives: 2-6 road, 3-4 vs 51-100, 0-1 vs Baylor

------------Non-conference: 9-4 (88 RPI, 77 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Cal

------------Key losses: George Mason (N), Oregon, Notre Dame (N), @Xavier (26 pts)

------------Last 12: 6-6

------------Remaining: @Iowa St

 

----Oklahoma (20-10, 8-7, 27 RPI)

------------Positives: swept Baylor, non-conf RPI, 7 SOS, 4-2 vs 51-100, 6 top 50 wins

------------Negatives: 0-1 vs Kansas St

------------Non-conference: 12-3 (37 RPI, 80 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Gonzaga, @West Virginia, Arkansas

------------Key losses: Memphis (N), Stephen F Austin, @USC

------------Last 12: 7-5

------------Remaining: Missouri

 

----Texas A&M (21-8, 8-7, 42 RPI)

------------Positives: won NIT Season Tip-Off, 4-3 vs 51-100

------------Negatives: 65 SOS, non-conf SOS, 0-1 Kansas St

------------Non-conference: 13-1 (32 RPI, 227 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Oral Roberts, Washington (N), Ohio St (N)

------------Key losses: @Arizona

------------Last 12: 7-5*

------------Remaining: Kansas

 

----Baylor (19-9, 8-7, 43 RPI)

------------Positives: 8-4 road/neutral, 1-0 vs Kansas St, 3-1 vs 51-100

------------Negatives: 4-6 last 10, 3-8 vs RPI top 50, 6 wins vs RPI 200+, swept by Oklahoma, non-conf SOS

------------Non-conference: 11-2 (48 RPI, 175 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Notre Dame (N), Winthrop (N)

------------Key losses: @Washington St, Arkansas

------------Last 12: 5-7

------------Remaining: @Texas Tech

 

Big East

 

----Pittsburgh (20-9, 9-8, 25 RPI)

------------Positives: non-conf RPI, 5-1 vs 51-100, 23 SOS, 1-0 vs Syracuse

------------Negatives: 7th in Big East, 5-1 vs 201+, 3-6 vs top 50

------------Non-conference: 11-1 (10 RPI, 91 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Oklahoma St, Duke (N), @Washington

------------Key losses: @Dayton

------------Last 12: 6-6

------------Remaining: DePaul

 

----West Virginia (20-9, 10-7, 40 RPI)

------------Positives: conf. record, 1-0 vs Syracuse, 5-1 vs 51-100

------------Negatives: 2-7 vs RPI top 50, 0-1 vs Villanova, non-conf SOS

------------Non-conference: 10-2 (42 RPI, 161 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Winthrop

------------Key losses: Tennessee (N), Oklahoma

------------Last 12: 7-5

------------Remaining: @St John's

 

----Syracuse (18-12, 8-9, 51 RPI)

------------Positives: 8 SOS, non-conf RPI/SOS, 6-3 vs 51-100, 1-0 vs Villanova

------------Negatives: 1-7 vs top 50, conf. record, 0-2 vs West Virginia/Pitt, 4-6 road, 10-2 vs 101-200

------------Non-conference: 10-3 (33 RPI, 19 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: St Joseph's, Washington (N), Cornell, @Virginia

------------Key losses: Ohio St (N), @UMass, Rhode Island

------------Last 12: 5-7*

------------Remaining: Marquette

 

----Villanova (18-11, 8-9, 60 RPI)

------------Positives: 3-1 neutral, 1-0 vs West Virginia, 4-3 vs 51-100

------------Negatives: conf. record, 3-7 road, 0-1 vs Syracuse, non-conf SOS, 11-3 vs 101+

------------Non-conference: 10-2 (38 RPI, 164 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: George Mason (N), @Temple

------------Key losses: North Carolina St (N)

------------Last 12: 5-7*

------------Remaining: @Providence

 

Big Ten

 

----Ohio St (18-12, 9-8, 54 RPI)

------------Positives: 5-1 vs 51-100, non-conf RPI/SOS, 27 SOS

------------Negatives: 4-8 road, 1-5 vs Big Ten top 4, 1-9 vs top 50, 6-2 vs 101-200

------------Non-conference: 9-4 (29 RPI, 12 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Syracuse (N), Florida

------------Key losses: Texas A&M (N), North Carolina, @Butler

------------Last 12: 6-6

------------Remaining: Michigan St

 

Colonial

 

----Virginia Commonwealth (23-6, 15-3, 45 RPI)

------------Positives: Colonial champs, 9-3 road, 4-1 vs 51-100

------------Negatives: 0-2 vs top 50, Colonial RPI (13th), 147 SOS, 19-3 vs 101+

------------Non-conference: 8-3 (41 RPI, 73 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Houston (N), Maryland (N), @Bradley, @Akron

------------Key losses: Miami (N), Arkansas (N)

------------Last 12: 10-2

------------Remaining: Colonial Tournament

 

Conference USA

 

----UAB (22-8, 12-3, 49 RPI)

------------Positives: 2nd in C-USA, 8-4 road, 1-0 vs Houston

------------Negatives: 0-3 neutral, 0-1 vs top 50, 12-5 vs 101-200, 112 SOS, non-conf RPI/SOS

------------Non-conference: 10-5 (92 RPI, 144 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Cincinnati, @Kentucky

------------Key losses: Florida St (N), Rhode Island (N)

------------Last 12: 10-2

------------Remaining: @Memphis

 

----Houston (22-7, 11-4, 65 RPI)

------------Positives:

------------Negatives: 0-6 vs top 50, 21-1 vs 101+, non-conf RPI/SOS, 148 SOS, 0-1 vs UAB

------------Non-conference: 11-3 (93 RPI, 208 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Kentucky

------------Key losses: VCU (N), @UMass, Arizona

------------Last 12: 8-4

------------Remaining: @UTEP

 

Mid-American

 

----Kent St (24-6, 12-3, 31 RPI)

------------Positives: 1st in MAC, 2-2 vs top 50, 6-1 vs 51-100, non-conf RPI, 8-2 last 10

------------Negatives: 10-2 vs 201+, MAC RPI (12th)

------------Non-conference: 12-3 (22 RPI, 66 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Illinois St (N), George Mason, @St Mary's

------------Key losses: Xavier (N), @North Carolina (29 pts)

------------Last 12: 10-2

------------Remaining: @Akron

 

Missouri Valley

 

----Illinois St (21-8, 13-5, 35 RPI)

------------Positives: 4-1 vs 51-100, 2nd in MVC, swept Southern Illinois

------------Negatives: 15-3 vs 101+, non-conf SOS

------------Non-conference: 8-3 (59 RPI, 102 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Cincinnati, Wright St

------------Key losses: Kent St (N), Indiana (N)

------------Last 12: 8-4*

------------Remaining: Missouri St (MVC Tournament)

 

----Southern Illinois (17-13, 11-7, 50 RPI)

------------Positives: 9 SOS, 4-2 vs 51-100, non-conf SOS

------------Negatives: 3-9 road, 6-5 vs 101-200, swept by Illinois St

------------Non-conference: 6-6 (55 RPI, 6 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Miss St (N), St Mary's, Western Kentucky, Nevada (25 pts)

------------Key losses: USC (N), Indiana, Butler

------------Last 12: 8-4*

------------Remaining: Northern Iowa (MVC Tournament)

 

Mountain West

 

----UNLV (21-7, 11-4, 29 RPI)

------------Positives: 2nd in MWC, 4-1 vs 51-100

------------Negatives: 70 SOS, 8-2 vs 101-200

------------Non-conference: 10-3 (44 RPI, 58 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: @San Diego, Nevada, Minnesota

------------Key losses: Louisville, Arizona

------------Last 12: 9-3

------------Remaining: Utah

 

----New Mexico (23-7, 10-5, 47 RPI)

------------Positives: 7-5 road

------------Negatives: 1-4 vs top 50, 12-2 vs 101-200, non-conf SOS, 131 SOS

------------Non-conference: 13-2 (54 RPI, 264 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Texas Tech

------------Key losses: @Mississippi

------------Last 12: 9-3

------------Remaining: @Colorado St

 

Pac-10

 

----Southern Cal (19-10, 10-7, 39 RPI)

------------Positives: 4-2 vs 51-100, 4th in Pac-10, 10-5 road/neutral, swept Oregon, 22 SOS

------------Negatives: 5-1 vs 201+, non-conf SOS

------------Non-conference: 9-3 (69 RPI, 106 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Southern Illinois (N), Oklahoma (N), San Diego (N), Miami OH (N)

------------Key losses: Kansas, Memphis (N)

------------Last 12: 8-4

------------Remaining: Stanford

 

----Arizona (17-12, 8-9, 26 RPI)

------------Positives: 5 wins vs top 50, 5-3 vs 51-100, 2 SOS, non-conf RPI/SOS, swept Cal, swept Wash St

------------Negatives: conf. record, swept by Arizona St, 3-2 vs 101-200, overall record

------------Non-conference: 9-3 (5 RPI, 7 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Texas A&M (N), @Houston, San Diego St, @UNLV

------------Key losses: @Kansas, @Memphis

------------Last 12: 6-6

------------Remaining: @Oregon

 

----Oregon (17-12, 8-9, 58 RPI)

------------Positives: 1-0 vs Arizona, swept Cal, 33 SOS, 3-2 vs 51-100

------------Negatives: 5-2 vs 101-200, 5-8 road, 3-8 vs top 50, non-conf SOS, conf. record

------------Non-conference: 9-3 (67 RPI, 170 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: @Kansas St

------------Key losses: @St Mary's, @Nebraska

------------Last 12: 5-7*

------------Remaining: Arizona

 

----Arizona St (18-11, 8-9, 72 RPI)

------------Positives: swept Arizona, 5-6 vs top 50

------------Negatives: 2-3 vs 51-100, 3-2 vs 101-200, 3-5 road, non-conf RPI/SOS, conf. record

------------Non-conference: 10-2 (116 RPI, 307 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Xavier (22 pts)

------------Key losses: @Nebraska

------------Last 12: 4-8*

------------Remaining: @Oregon St

 

 

SEC

 

----Arkansas (19-10, 8-7, 41 RPI)

------------Positives: 5-4 vs top 50, 1-0 vs Florida

------------Negatives: 3-7 road, 6-4 vs 101-200, 0-1 vs Kentucky

------------Non-conference: 11-3 (43 RPI, 94 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: VCU (N), Oral Roberts, @Baylor

------------Key losses: Providence (N), @Oklahoma

------------Last 12: 6-6*

------------Remaining: Auburn

 

----Kentucky (17-11, 11-4, 53 RPI)

------------Positives: conf. record, 12 SOS, 8-2 last 10, 2-0 vs Arkansas/Ole Miss

------------Negatives: 0-2 vs 51-100, 7-2 vs 101-200, 4-6 road, non-conf record/RPI, 0-1 vs Florida

------------Non-conference: 6-7 (203 RPI, 87 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins:

------------Key losses: North Carolina, @Indiana (19 pts), Louisville

------------Last 12: 10-2

------------Remaining: Florida

 

----Florida (21-9, 8-7, 66 RPI)

------------Positives: 1-0 vs Kentucky

------------Negatives: 1-6 vs top 50, 3-5 road, 9 wins vs 201+, 2-5 road, non-conf RPI/SOS, 0-2 vs Arkansas/Ole Miss, 87 SOS, 4-6 last 10

------------Non-conference: 13-2 (87 RPI, 278 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Temple (N)

------------Key losses: Florida St, @Ohio St

------------Last 12: 6-6

------------Remaining: @Kentucky

 

----Mississippi (20-9, 6-9, 46 RPI)

------------Positives: 6-3 vs top 50, 3-0 neutral, 1-0 vs Florida, non-conf RPI

------------Negatives: 8-5 vs 101-200, conf record, 4-6 last 10, 1-7 road, 0-1 vs Kentucky, non-conf SOS

------------Non-conference: 14-0 (8 RPI, 142 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: New Mexico, Clemson (N)

------------Key losses:

------------Last 12: 5-7*

------------Remaining: Georgia

 

 

Southern

 

----Davidson (22-6, 20-0, 34 RPI)

------------Positives: 20-0 conference, 11-4 road, non-conf SOS, 19 game win streak

------------Negatives: 2-6 non-conference, 0-5 vs top 100

------------Best wins: @Winthrop

------------Non-conference: 2-6 (130 RPI, 8 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: @Winthrop

------------Key losses: North Carolina (N), @Duke, UCLA (N), @North Carolina St

------------Last 12: 12-0

------------Remaining: Southern Tournament

 

Sun Belt

 

----South Alabama (23-5, 16-2, 30 RPI)

------------Positives: Sun Belt champs, swept W. Kentucky, 9-5 road/neutral, 8-2 last 10, 3-2 vs top 50

------------Negatives: 9-2 vs 101-200, 11 wins vs 201+, 133 SOS

------------Non-conference: 7-3 (50 RPI, 79 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Mississippi St, San Diego (N)

------------Key losses: @Mississippi, Miami OH (N), @Vanderbilt

------------Last 12: 10-2

------------Remaining: New Orleans (Sun Belt Tournament)

 

----Western Kentucky (22-6, 16-2, 48 RPI)

------------Positives: 9-3 road, 14-1 last 15

------------Negatives: 1-5 vs top 100, swept by South Alabama, 157 SOS, 13 wins vs 201+

------------Non-conference: 6-4 (96 RPI, 95 SOS)

------------Non-conference wins: Nebraska

------------Key losses: Gonzaga (N), Tennessee (N), @Southern Illinois

------------Last 12: 11-1

------------Remaining: North Texas (Sun Belt Tournament)

[cmh6476 778]

big 12 gets 6

[hellothere 1]

Big 12 homer-look

 

Kansas and texas are obivously in as you said.

 

Kansas St. is in regardless right now, if for nothing else the tourney wants to see Beasley take over a game or two in the finals apart from them being a good team.

 

Oklahoma and Texas A&M are more than likely in, if they win either their final game or at least one Big 12 Tourney game they are for sure.

 

Baylor needs to beat Tech in the final game I think to assure their spot, otherwise at show up well in the Tourney.

[Scatterbrain 0]

Kansas St. is in regardless right now, if for nothing else the tourney wants to see Beasley take over a game or two in the finals apart from them being a good team.

 

They might get in because of the Beasley-factor, but I have to disagree on them being a good team. I think they need a good draw just to get past the first round.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

Illinois St survives a scare to advance to the MVC semis. The Redbirds at-large chances basically require them to lose to Drake in the finals. Should Creighton knock off the Bulldogs tomorrow, Illinois St would probably need to beat them on Sunday for the auto-bid.

[Skiptown 0]

Pac 10 gets six, possibly seven; depending on the conference tourney.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

Southern Illinois drops off the bubble with a quarterfinal loss. Illinois St now draws Northern Iowa in the MVC semis.

 

Pac-10 right now looks like 5 bids. UCLA, Stanford, and Washington St are locks, USC is close. Arizona still has work to do and they can start by beating Oregon. Oregon needs to beat Arizona and win a couple Pac-10 tournament games. Arizona St needs a deep run in the Pac-10 tournament to have any shot. The only real scenario at this point for 6 bids is if Arizona makes a good Pac-10 tournament run and the auto-bid somehow gets stolen by ASU/Oregon/Cal.

 

Arizona St's overall resume is very weak right now. They have by far the worst non-conference schedule of the bubble teams (307th) and were swept by UCLA and Washington St. They have precisely one quality non-conference win, are 3-6 on the road, and have dropped 8 of their last 12. They need to win from now through the Pac-10 semis just to have a chance.

 

Oregon also played a weak non-conference schedule, and also has only one quality non-conference win. Unlike ASU, the Ducks are only 3-8 against the top 50 and were swept by UCLA, USC, and Washington St. They are 5-7 in their last 12 and need to beat Arizona, then make a run into the Pac-10 semis to be considered. The important thing to keep in mind is this; teams are awarded bids, not conferences.

 

The Big XII is looking at 5 or 6 bids. After Texas and Kansas, Oklahoma has the best resume right now. The Sooners have 6 wins against the top 50, are 4-2 against the 51-100, and have quality non-conference wins over Gonzaga, Arkansas, and at West Virginia.

 

The next 3 teams are pretty muddled. Kansas St has the best SOS (18th), holds 3rd place outright at the moment and beat A&M in their only meeting this year. On the down side, the Wildcats have a non-conference resume made up of losses to good teams, but only a win at home over Cal which loses impact with each game the Bears play. K-State is 6-9 against the top 100 and has a brutal 2-6 road mark including 5 straight road losses.

 

Texas A&M has been slightly hotter than the other 2 teams down the stretch but loses that tiebreaker to Kansas St and has the worst non-conference schedule of the 3 (227th). The Aggies best win out of the Big XII is a neutral site win over fellow bubble team Ohio St. A&M is 7-8 against the top 100. Their regular season finale will determine what they need to do next week. A win over Kansas at home would give them a win apiece against KU and Texas and would probably leave them needing only one win in Kansas City (and still in the mix even with a loss). If they lose to the Jayhawks they will likely drop a game behind OU and Baylor in the final standings and need at least 1 win in the Big XII tournament.

 

Baylor has the most to worry about of the 3. The Bears have dropped 7 of their last 12 and are only 3-8 against the top 50. Baylor's neutral site win over Notre Dame is better than the top wins for A&M and Kansas St but their non-conference SOS is still quite weak (175th). Unlike the other 2 teams, Baylor did not pick up a win over Texas or Kansas, and are 2-6 against the Big XII's 5 tournament contenders. The Bears are near must-win territory at Texas Tech tomorrow, and need 1-2 wins in the Big XII Tournament as well.

[Skiptown 0]

Southern Illinois drops off the bubble with a quarterfinal loss. Illinois St now draws Northern Iowa in the MVC semis.

 

Pac-10 right now looks like 5 bids. UCLA, Stanford, and Washington St are locks, USC is close. Arizona still has work to do and they can start by beating Oregon. Oregon needs to beat Arizona and win a couple Pac-10 tournament games. Arizona St needs a deep run in the Pac-10 tournament to have any shot. The only real scenario at this point for 6 bids is if Arizona makes a good Pac-10 tournament run and the auto-bid somehow gets stolen by ASU/Oregon/Cal.

USC is in, as is ASU (and it hurts me to say that as a UofA alumni). UofA is going to need a win against Oregon or a win of the Pac 10 tourney.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

USC is in, as is ASU (and it hurts me to say that as a UofA alumni). UofA is going to need a win against Oregon or a win of the Pac 10 tourney.

Arizona St is far from in right now. They are 8-9 in the Pac-10 and only managed 1 win against the conference's top 3. They played by far the weakest schedule of the group, and at the moment their ONLY trump card is a sweep of Arizona. The problem with that, is the two teams are unlikely to be compared head-to-head when the final bids are being determined. The loss Thursday night at Oregon was a killer. The scenarios should be fairly clear-cut tomorrow once the Pac-10 tournament bracket is finalized.

[Skiptown 0]

Arizona St is far from in right now. They are 8-9 in the Pac-10 and only managed 1 win against the conference's top 3. They played by far the weakest schedule of the group, and at the moment their ONLY trump card is a sweep of Arizona. The problem with that, is the two teams are unlikely to be compared head-to-head when the final bids are being determined. The loss Thursday night at Oregon was a killer.

But the win against OSU tomorrow is just about a given (also making OSU the first team to go 0-fer in Pac 10 history), giving them a .500 mark in the toughest conference in the country. They're in.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

But the win against OSU tomorrow is just about a given (also making OSU the first team to go 0-fer in Pac 10 history), giving them a .500 mark in the toughest conference in the country. They're in.

Conference RPI rankings last year:

1. SEC

-- Mississippi St 8-8 NIT

-- Mississippi 8-8 NIT

-- Georgia 8-8 NIT

 

Conference RPI rankings in 2006:

1. Big Ten

-- Michigan 8-8 NIT

2. Big East

-- Cincinnati 8-8 NIT

 

Conference RPI rankings in 2005:

1. ACC

-- Virginia Tech 8-8 NIT

 

.500 in the toughest conference in the country is in no way a free pass into the tournament. ASU will be tied for 5th in a 10 team conference with almost all of their wins coming against the lower 7 teams. They played a cupcake non-conference schedule, and are playing bad down the stretch. The Sun Devils have a lot of work to do.

[Skiptown 0]

And as an ardent Sparky hater, I'd love to agree with you.

 

However, in this case, I think you're wrong.

[Me_2006 14]

I think the winner of Cats/Gaytors tomorrow is in.

 

 

 

Even without Patterson.

[Giants Fan 85]

Who cares about ASU ... do you realize how HUGE it is if Arizona doesn't make it? Are they in after beating the crap out of Oregon at home? That was sad.

 

But ... it's the end of a record consecutive trips to the tourney for Arizona if they don't make it. 24 years straight is it? And counting? That record is going to stand for a long time even if it ends this year.

[Skiptown 0]

Who cares about ASU ... do you realize how HUGE it is if Arizona doesn't make it? Are they in after beating the crap out of Oregon at home? That was sad.

 

But ... it's the end of a record consecutive trips to the tourney for Arizona if they don't make it. 24 years straight is it? And counting? That record is going to stand for a long time even if it ends this year.

I do realize the streak at 23, but as both of us are Wilbur alumni, we both know UofA has NO chance of winning the championship. Personally, I'd like to see the end of the "Lute" era, and the start of a new regime. I think them missing the tourney this season would define that line.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

I think the winner of Cats/Gaytors tomorrow is in.

Even without Patterson.

Florida will still need a little more work even with a win at Rupp. On the other hand, Kentucky could very well be a lock with a win over Florida (though beating Ole Miss in the SEC tournament wouldn't hurt).

 

Arizona is probably set with a win at Oregon tomorrow. Their SOS combined with a sweep of Washington St and what would be an 8-6 road mark should carry them, though a loss in their opening Pac-10 Tournament game would make the wait an uncomfortable one.

 

That's all for me tonight, back on tomorrow for a busy day of updates.

[Giants Fan 85]

I do realize the streak at 23, but as both of us are Wilbur alumni, we both know UofA has NO chance of winning the championship. Personally, I'd like to see the end of the "Lute" era, and the start of a new regime. I think them missing the tourney this season would define that line.

 

Kids are gonna want to play for Lute ... the man has a gift. And great hair ... and now we get a bald guy? We knew it had to end eventually. A friend of mine knows that Bayless kid personally ... and he's gonna be a great guard ... but he's not sticking around.

 

What would you do? I'd go pro too.

 

I want Lute to come back ... for one more year. Maybe keep the team intact, for one last run.

 

REMEMBER ... in 97 nobody said we could do it. We beat 3 number one seeds.

 

Another record that may never be matched.

[Giants Fan 85]

Ahem ... NY Giants ... Wildcard.

[Giants Fan 85]

And we ALMOST beat UCLA.

[Skiptown 0]

And we ALMOST beat UCLA.

Why didn't Walters take that last shot??? Oh, what could have been!

 

Also, had a great chance to take down Stanford in Tucson, but again, poor choices at the the end.

[Giants Fan 85]

And ASU beat us at home for the first time since the history of ever.

[Giants Fan 85]

At any rate ... I'd say the talent is there with the Killer B's of Bayless and Budinger ... and what Arizona does so well is change gears.

 

That's a threat against any team.

 

Arizona ... easy Cindarella pick.

 

It's happened before ... with less talented players. Remember "Simon SAYS!"?

 

How did Miles Simon do as a player in the NBA?

[spottedowl 1]

.

[Fumbleweed 453]

But the win against OSU tomorrow is just about a given (also making OSU the first team to go 0-fer in Pac 10 history), giving them a .500 mark in the toughest conference in the country. They're in.

 

Arizona State has a lot of work to do. A lot. You're basing everything seemingly on a 9-9 record. Their RPI is no good...they have no marquee wins. I think they can still get it done, but ZT is right.

[Me_2006 14]

At any rate ... I'd say the talent is there with the Killer B's of Bayless and Budinger ... and what Arizona does so well is change gears.

 

That's a threat against any team.

 

Arizona ... easy Cindarella pick.

 

It's happened before ... with less talented players. Remember "Simon SAYS!"?

 

How did Miles Simon do as a player in the NBA?

Yeah, and Bibby and Terry were garbage. If you're the third or 4th best player in the starting line-up with NBA guys and get hot in the tourney, the team is going places.

 

Did they have Dickerson too? I know they beat my Cats, but I was a little too young to remember all of them. Dickerson or no?

[jerryskids 5,427]

Conference RPI rankings last year:

1. SEC

-- Mississippi St 8-8 NIT

-- Mississippi 8-8 NIT

-- Georgia 8-8 NIT

 

Conference RPI rankings in 2006:

1. Big Ten

-- Michigan 8-8 NIT

2. Big East

-- Cincinnati 8-8 NIT

 

Conference RPI rankings in 2005:

1. ACC

-- Virginia Tech 8-8 NIT

 

.500 in the toughest conference in the country is in no way a free pass into the tournament. ASU will be tied for 5th in a 10 team conference with almost all of their wins coming against the lower 7 teams. They played a cupcake non-conference schedule, and are playing bad down the stretch. The Sun Devils have a lot of work to do.

Talk here in Devil land was that they only needed a split of the Oregon schools (now, a win vs. OSU) to get in. Frankly I don't get it, as I'm inclined to agree with your argument. Keep in mind tho that every team but OSU in the PAC-10 is good or better than good this year.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

- Winthrop wins their fourth straight Big South title. Expect them to once again be one of the biggest upset candidates.

 

- UAB doing some damage to their image, getting absolutely manhandled by Memphis. Down 50-20...this could take the Dragons out of the field entering the CUSA tourney.

 

- West Virginia and Miami trying to avoid road upsets. Mountaineers currently in OT against St John's, which would be a major hit to their resume. Miami is a bit safer should they lose at FSU.

 

- USC looking good against the Cardinal. A win today makes SC a lock.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

Biggest bubble games of the day are underway.

 

- St Joseph's and Dayton midway through the first half in what likely amounts to an elimination game. Hawks are in deep trouble, down 17 at the half.

 

- Baylor, getting close to must-win status, will be in serious trouble if they lose at TT. Bears have come on strong after a slow start and now have a double-digit lead.

 

- West Virginia avoids an embarassing loss at St John's in OT. The Mountaineers finish 11-7 in the Big East which will give them 5th place should Marquette lose to Syracuse. Miami unable to do the same in OT at FSU. Canes are still in solid position likely needing only one win in the ACC Tourney.

 

- UAB gets railed by 38 at Memphis. The Dragons profile was weak to begin with and this blowout only highlights the holes, namely 0-2 against the top 50 and only 2-4 vs the top 100. UAB probably needs to reach the C-USA finals now.

 

- In mid-major bubble action, VCU and Davidson are taking care of business in quarterfinal games.

[Fumbleweed 453]

You're right....must-win for Baylor. Right now, they're holding up well.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

- Baylor gets the big 12 pt road win at Tech. Baylor finishes 9-7 in the Big XII, likely in a multi-team tie for 3rd.

 

- Dayton beats St Joseph's at home. The Flyers status is a bit uncertain; if Chris Wright can return in time for the A-10 tourney the committee could take into account their 14-1 mark before his injury (including a blowout win over Pitt and a win at Louisville). St Joes on the other hand now needs at least an A-10 finals appearance to have a shot as an at-large.

 

- Creighton giving Drake all they can handle in the first MVC semi. A Blue Jays upset could suck an at-large bid out of the pool.

 

- USC moves into lock status with a big home win over Stanford.

[jerryskids 5,427]

- USC moves into lock status with a big home win over Stanford.

I don't see how the committee would have kept Mayo out of the tourney anyway. If you right-coasters haven't seen him play, you are in for a treat.

[Yer mom 2]

Did they have Dickerson too? I know they beat my Cats, but I was a little too young to remember all of them. Dickerson or no?

 

Yep

[ZeroTolerance 582]

- Drake gets past Creighton and into the MVC finals, giving bubble teams a sigh of relief for now. Should Illinois St beat Northern Iowa tonight the MVC may be a 2 bid league even before the championship game tomorrow.

[Yer mom 2]

I don't see how the committee would have kept Mayo out of the tourney anyway. If you right-coasters haven't seen him play, you are in for a treat.

 

Hes wicked good

 

For the Eastsiders

[Fumbleweed 453]

- Drake gets past Creighton and into the MVC finals, giving bubble teams a sigh of relief for now. Should Illinois St beat Northern Iowa tonight the MVC may be a 2 bid league even before the championship game tomorrow.

 

Yep. I think Illinois State will get a bid by beating Northern Iowa.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

- Oklahoma tacks on another win to finish 9-7 in the Big XII. The Sooners might have enough to get them in now, if not then 1 win in the Big XII tournament will do it. Oklahoma should wind up the 4 seed by virtue of a season sweep of Baylor, which sets the two teams up to meet each other in the Big 12 quarterfinals (should Baylor beat Iowa St/Colorado).

 

- Kansas St gets an ugly win at Iowa St. Wildcats still have work to do next week, but finishing alone in 3rd helps.

 

- A&M gets dropped at home by Kansas. The Aggies finishes at 8-8 which is important as it leaves them behind the pack in 6th place. It also forces them to play on Thursday, after which they would play Kansas St.

 

- Syracuse stays alive with a home win over Marquette. The Orange most likely need 2 wins in New York, maybe even 3.

 

- UNLV holds off Utah to assure themselves sole possession of 2nd in the Mountain West. The Rebels have homecourt for the MWC tournament, but that also means the committee will expect more from them. A loss in the semis could prove fatal.

 

- 2 seed Cleveland St will be Public Enemy #1 on Tuesday night (barring a Butler loss tonight to UIC). The Vikings advance to the Horizon finals where they will look to steal a bid from the field by knocking off at-large lock Butler.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

- Illinois St advances to face Drake in the Missouri Valley finals. Combined with finish in 2nd place by multiple games during the regular season, a sweep of Southern Illinois, and an 8-4 mark in their last 10, the Redbirds are very close to, if not already, getting a bid. The big mark against them is their 0-4 record against the top 50, but a 6-1 mark against teams 51-100 is a decent substitute.

 

- It wasn't pretty, but Arizona St picks up the road win at Oregon St. The Sun Devils will face USC on Thursday in the Pac-10 quarterfinals which may well be a must-win for them.

 

- UMass, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Villanova all take care of business as expected. Rhode Island fails to protect home court against Charlotte, completely eliminating the Rams from the at-large picture.

 

- Butler will face Cleveland St Tuesday in the Horizon final. Bubble teams across the country will be hoping the Bulldogs don't cost the field a spot for the second year running.

 

- Houston becomes the latest team to fall off the bubble today with a loss at UTEP, joining Rhode Island, and perhaps St Joseph's.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

- Big weekend for Oregon with the home sweep of the Arizona schools. The win pulls the Ducks to .500 and pushes them past Arizona in the standings. The Ducks will face Washington St on Thursday. Oregon probably needs two more wins to feel comfortable about their chances. They finished 1-7 against the top 4 teams in the conference, are 4-8 against the top 50, have 2 losses outside the top 100, and a 5-9 road/neutral record. The only thing that stands out from a week non-conference schedule is a road win at Kansas St.

 

- Arizona, on the other hand, seems hell bent on playing chicken with the selection committee. The Wildcats finish 8-10 and have lost 7 of their last 10 games. The number 2 SOS still carries a lot of weight, as do the 5 top 50 wins. Arizona is probably fine, but a loss Wednesday in the first round of the Pac-10 tournament to lowly Oregon St could drive them off the cliff.

[ZeroTolerance 582]

Conference Tournament matchups:

 

A-10:

Dayton - Wed. vs Saint Louis (Thur vs Xavier)

UMass - Thur vs Charlotte/Rhode Island

St Joseph's - Wed vs Fordham (Thur vs Richmond)

 

C-USA:

UAB - Thur vs Tulsa/East Carolina

 

Missouri Valley:

Illinois St - Sun vs Drake (championship)

 

Mountain West:

UNLV - Thur vs TCU

New Mexico - Thur vs Utah

 

Pac-10:

Arizona - Wed vs Oregon St (Thur vs Stanford)

Oregon - Thu vs Washington St

Arizona St - Thu vs USC

 

SEC:

Arkansas - Thur vs Vanderbilt/Auburn

Kentucky - Thur vs Mississippi/Georgia

Mississippi - Wed vs Georgia (Thu vs Kentucky)

 

Southern:

Davidson - Sun vs UNC-Greensboro

 

Sun Belt:

South Alabama - Sun vs New Orleans

Western Kentucky - Sun vs North Texas

[cortezthekiller303 0]

West Virginia is in with the win over St. Johns and the Marquette loss to Syracuse. Their New York number went from 1 to zero with the Cuse win, plus their 11 wins in the Big East. I would rather they make a deep run next week and go in hot, but they could be a good tournament team either way.

 

Syracuse might play their way in with a 2 win New York trip, but definitely with a 3-win New York trip, givng the Big East 7 teams in the Dance.