Conference Tourney Preview Part. I

Big South
Winthrop enters the tournament as the 1-seed and will play all their games at home. They will likely face a hot Coastal Carolina team in the finals who have won 10 in a row and 12 of 13 which includes a season sweep of Winthrop.

Tourney winner- Coastal Carolina

Horizon
Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Butler have byes until the conference semis. The Panthers also have home court advantage throughout the tournament. They should have no problems getting the auto bid.

Tourney winner- Wisc.-Milwaukee

Southern
Georgia Southern had the best regular season record of all Southern teams, but this tournament is up for grabs with as many as 5 teams with a chance. The tournament will be played at College of Charleston’s home floor where they meet Chattanooga in the quarters. Charleston however went 0-5 against the Top 3 teams. I like a Davidson-Georgia Southern final which split the season series.

Tourney winner- Davidson

Atlantic Sun
East Tennessee St. enters as a tough luck 5-seed but gets the tournament on its floor. They are only 1-3 against the Top 4 seeds at home, but they were 3 close losses. Belmont has gone 9-1 in their last 10 and enters as a very solid 2-seed.

Tourney winner- Belmont

MAAC
Manhattan won the regular season title so they have a huge bye to the semis. They also wouldn’t have to face Iona until the finals that they beat twice.

Tourney winner- Manhattan

Bracket Update

1 seeds
Duke (ACC)+
Uconn (Big East)+
Villanova+
Memphis (C-USA)+

2 seeds
Texas (Big 12)+
Ohio St. (Big Ten)+
Tennessee (SEC)+
Gonzaga (WCC)+

3 seeds
Illinois+
UNC+
NC State+
Iowa+

4 seeds
Pitt+
GW (A-10)+
LSU+
UCLA (Pac-10)+

5 seeds
BC+
Kansas+
West Virginia+
Washington+

6 seeds
Florida+
Georgetown+
Michigan St.+
Wisconsin+

7 seeds
Marquette+
Oklahoma+
Michigan+
Wichita St. (MVC)+

8 seeds
Nevada (WAC)+
Arkansas+
Missouri St.
Syracuse

9 seeds
George Mason (CAA)+
Alabama
Arizona
Cal

10 seeds
Northern Iowa+
Bucknell (Patriot)
Kentucky
Creighton

11 seeds
Cincinnati
UNC Wilmington
Air Force
UAB

12 seeds
Bradley
Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)
Southern Illinois
Indiana

13 seeds
San Diego St. (Mt. West)
Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Horizon)
Kent St. (MAC)
Northwestern St. (Southland)

14 seeds
Winthrop (Big South)
Murray St. (OVC)
Manhattan (MAAC)
Penn (Ivy)

15 seeds
Pacific (Big West)
Northern Arizona (Big Sky)
Oral Roberts (MCC)
Albany (America East)

16 seeds
FDU (NEC)
Delaware St. (MEAC)
Georgia Southern (Southern)
Belmont (Atlantic Sun)*
Southern (SWAC)*

*- play-in game
+- locks

Last Three In- Bradley, Southern Illinois, Indiana
Other Six Out- Hofstra, Seton Hall, Texas A&M, Colorado, Florida St., Utah St.

Multi-Bid Conferences
Big East- 8
Big Ten- 7
MVC- 6
SEC- 6
ACC- 4
Pac-10- 4
Big 12- 3
CAA- 2
C-USA- 2
Mt. West- 2

In
Indiana
Manhattan
Northern Arizona
Oral Roberts
Georgia Southern

Out
Seton Hall
Iona
Montana
IUPUI
Davidson

Saturday Preview

Syracuse-Georgetown
The Orange are likely in after beating Louisville and West Virginia at home in the last week. Georgetown is looking to rebound after losing three of four. Pick-Syracuse

Arkansas-Tennessee
The Razorbacks are likely in after a huge comeback win against Alabama at home. However, they now go on the road where they have had some heart-breaking losses this year. Tennessee is home after four of five on the road and is coming off a great win at Florida. Pick-Tennessee

Michigan-Ohio St.
The Wolverines are in after beating Illinois at home. Ohio St. is coming off a rare Big Ten road win at Michigan St. Pick-Ohio St.

Louisville-West Virginia
The Mountaineers have lost four of five but were in all four of them. They were definitely tired after playing 5 games in 12 days, 4 of which were on the road. They now get a Louisville team who is desperate to make the Big East tournament. They have traded home wins with away losses in their last 6. Pick-WV

Northern Iowa-Southern Illinois
All of a sudden both teams are in some serious trouble. Northern Iowa just got crushed at home by 22. While the Salukis can’t buy a win against anyone recently. I think Southern Illinois pulls this one out however. Pick-Southern Illinois

BC-NC State
Both teams are coming off blowout losses, BC at Virginia and NC State against UNC. Recently though NC State has been better. Pick-NC State

Kentucky-LSU
The Wildcats have three straight wins and are coming off a 40-point win against Ole Miss. LSU though is much better than Ole Miss. Pick-LSU

Nebraska-Texas A&M
This is likely a Big 12 bubble elimination game. The Aggies have won four in a row. Pick-Texas A&M

Iowa-Illinois
Regardless of the outcome in this game, Iowa is looking like a good pick to win the Big Ten. However Illinois is at home and doesn’t lose their a lot. To go along with that, Big Ten teams have had all kind of problems winning on the road. Pick-Illinois

Creighton-Missouri St.
Both teams are looking good to make the tournament. Earlier this year Missouri St. lost by 22 at Creighton. Pick-Creighton

Kansas-Texas
The winner of this game will be the Big 12 champ. Texas is coming off two tough games on the road where they played horribly. Kansas is on a 10 game winning streak with 9 of those by 10+ points. Texas has been dominant at home with their only loss to Tennessee. The other opponent that Texas played at home which was close to the caliber of Kansas was Villanova. This game will be close but Kansas is playing too well right now. Pick-Kansas

Nevada-Utah St.
The Aggies need this one to keep their slim at-large hopes alive and give them a boost. Nevada probably clinches a bid with a win here. Utah St. has already won at Nevada but has really struggled in their last two against inferior opponents. Pick-Utah St.

Thursday Recap

George Mason-Hofstra
The Pride pick up a win that they had to have to stay on the bubble and in the discussion.

N.C. Wilmington-VCU
The Seahawks give the Rams just their second loss at home.

Villanova-Cincy
The Wildcats looked good early but let the Bearcats back in it late. Dante Cunningham who isn’t one of the four guards scored the winning basket on a layup with 3.2 seconds left. Nova goes to UConn for a great game on Sunday.

Wednesday Recap

Lehigh-Bucknell
The Bison clinch the Patriot League title and just have to beat Army at home on Saturday to go undefeated in PL play.

Penn St.-Indiana
If the Hoosiers can barely beat Penn St. at home then they have no chance the rest of the season.

Ohio St.-Michigan St.
The Buckeyes pick up a huge Big Ten road win and have a pretty easy finish stretch.

LSU-Vandy
The Commodores are likely finished after this loss.

Tennessee-Florida
The Vols clinch the SEC East title and maybe Bruce Pearl’s Coach of the Year title as well.

Texas-Kansas St.
The Longhorns struggled for the second straight game on the road. Luckily for them, they have Kansas and Oklahoma at home and only have to go to Texas A&M the rest of the season.

Bradley-Northern Iowa
The Braves pick up a huge win and are now in 5th place in the MVC pecking order as they move ahead of Southern Illinois. Northern Iowa is really struggling of late, but are still a lock to make the dance.

SDSU-BYU
Any at-large chance that San Diego St. had evaporated with this loss, but they still lead the Mt. West by a game over Air Force who they spilt with.

Maryland-Florida St.
The Seminoles won their second straight ACC bubble game, while Maryland appears done.

UNC-NC State
The Tar Heels have played awesome of late, while the Wolfpack have stunk up the gym. Both were on display in this game.

Tuesday Recap

Seton Hall-St. John’s
Apparently Seton Hall can only beat ranked teams. This loss puts them right in the middle of the bubble, but they would still be in if today was Selection Sunday.

BC-Virginia
Just when it looked like the Cavs were done, they pick up a huge win against Boston College. Next Wednesday’s game at UNC looms large.

Illinois-Michigan
This win for the Wolverines will end any talk that Michigan was on the bubble.

Davidson-Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern wins and thus takes control of the Southern race with one to play. Georgia Southern goes to Furman who already beat them this year.

Xavier-Dayton
The Musketeers lost almost all hope of an at-large bid after losing at Dayton

Texas A&M-Mizzou
The Aggies barely escape Missouri who can’t even fire a coach properly.

Alabama-Arkansas
A huge win and a huge comeback have the Razorbacks nearly in. If they win against Mississippi St. and at Georgia then that will give them 20 wins which should be enough for a SEC team.

Southern Illinois-Evansville
The Salukis are nearly done after losing a gimme game at Evansville.

Bracket Update

1 seeds
Duke (ACC)+
Uconn (Big East)+
Villanova+
Memphis (C-USA)+

2 seeds
Texas (Big 12)+
Tennessee (SEC)+
Gonzaga (WCC)+
Iowa (Big Ten)+

3 seeds
NC State+
Illinois+
Ohio St. +
Florida+

4 seeds
Pitt+
GW (A-10)+
UNC
Kansas+

5 seeds
UCLA (Pac-10)+
BC+
Michigan St.
West Virginia

6 seeds
LSU+
Wisconsin
Washington+
Georgetown

7 seeds
Marquette
Oklahoma
George Mason (CAA)
Michigan

8 seeds
Wichita St. (MVC)+
Nevada (WAC)
Northern Iowa+
Syracuse

9 seeds
Alabama
Missouri St.
Cal
Arizona

10 seeds
Bucknell (Patriot)
Creighton
Kentucky
Seton Hall

11 seeds
Cincinnati
UNC Wilmington
Southern Illinois
Air Force

12 seeds
Arkansas
Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)
UAB
Bradley

13 seeds
Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Horizon)
San Diego St. (Mt. West)
Iona (MAAC)
Kent St. (MAC)

14 seeds
Northwestern St. (Southland)
Murray St. (OVC)
Winthrop (Big South)
Montana (Big Sky)

15 seeds
Penn (Ivy)
Davidson (Southern)
Pacific (Big West)
Albany (America East)

16 seeds
IUPUI (MCC)
FDU (NEC)
Delaware St. (MEAC)
Belmont (Atlantic Sun)*
Southern (SWAC)*

*- play-in game
+- locks

Last Four In- Air Force, Arkansas, UAB, Bradley
First Four Out- Colorado, Maryland, Florida St., Indiana

Multi-Bid Conferences
Big East- 9
Big Ten- 6
MVC- 6
SEC- 6
ACC- 4
Pac-10- 4
Big 12- 3
CAA- 2
C-USA- 2
Mt. West- 2

In
Arkansas
Bradley
Davidson

Out
Indiana
Maryland
Georgia Southern

Also Considered
Colorado
Florida St.
Vandy
Utah St.
Houston
Xavier
Texas A&M
Hofstra
Old Dominion
Charlotte
USC

Saturday Recap

Bucknell-Northern Iowa
A lot of people said that Northern Iowa needed this game more, because their seed was being hurt by all their losses. However at least Northern Iowa would still be in the field, right now Bucknell’s profile looks a whole lot like Utah St.’s from a few years ago and that Utah St. team went to the NIT and they were in a better conference, the Big West. Well Northern Iowa won this game after Bucknell gave it away at the end of regulation and the first OT. Bucknell better win the Patriot League’s auto bid.

Iowa St.-Oklahoma
The Cyclones probably blew their final at-large chances. They had a marquee team beat but blew it by allowing Oklahoma to score 11 points in the final 72 seconds.

Colorado-Kansas St.
Just after the Buffalos were safely in the field, they go and lose to Kansas St. who is just barely staying on the end of the bubble.

Kentucky-South Carolina
The Wildcats have been up and down all year and now appear to be safely in again. The Wildcats also prevent South Carolina from getting back on the bubble.

Missouri St.-Wisconsin Milwaukee
The Bears pick up a huge win for their at-large hopes at Wis. Milwaukee. Right now the MVC has 5 teams solidly in the field.

Florida-Arkansas
The Razorbacks who have been all over the bubble this season might have finally moved into the field with a huge overtime win over the Gators.

Uconn-WV
The Mountaineers played a good game at home, but once they missed the open court lay-up, all the momentum went to the Huskies. The Huskies are still a one seed and West Virginia is probably still in the pod system.

Tennessee-Alabama
The Crimson Tide pick up a huge scalp especially after losing at South Carolina earlier in the week. They are 7-3 since losing Chuck Davis and looking good for an at-large bid.

Virginia-Florida St.
The Seminoles get a nice win over a fellow ACC bubble team. The Cavs are short on wins and are now just .500 in ACC play.

Michigan-Michigan St.
Can any Big Ten team win on the road? Apparently Not.

Georgia Tech-Maryland
The Terps get a huge overtime win to stay on the bubble.

Iowa-Minnesota
I must have been stupid to think a Big Ten team could have won on the road.

La Tech-Southern Illinois
The Salukis could have really used this win and might sit 5th on the MVC pecking order. Their season finale against Northern Iowa might make or break them.

George Mason-Wichita St.
Wichita St. has already locked up a bid, but this was a huge win for George Mason who might have also locked one up here.

Arizona St.-Cal
Cal blows what should be the easiest win in the Pac-10: Arizona St. at home. They still okay for a bid though.

Pitt-Marquette
Two Top 20 wins for Marquette this week likely seal their bid.

Louisville-Syracuse
The Cardinals aren’t going dancing this year unless they somehow win at West Virginia and Uconn in the coming weeks.

Thursday Recap

Miami Fl.-BC
The Eagles came out with ferocious defense for the first 14 minutes of the second half. To turn a 6 point halftime deficit into a 16 point lead.

Georgetown-Marquette
The Golden Eagles pick up a huge quality win with Pitt coming to town tomorrow. Marquette looks safely in at the moment.

Arizona-Cal
The Golden Bears pick up a huge bubble win over an Arizona team that just can’t seem to get it going. Cal is now tied for first in the Pac-10 with UCLA. Arizona has a good RPI and SOS and a few quality wins, but its overall and conference record might keep them out of the dance.

Wednesday Recap

Fl. St-NC St.
The Seminoles not only lost to a struggling NC State team, they got blown out. With the lost, Florida St. drops below .500 in the ACC and has two fellow ACC bubble teams, Virginia and Maryland, coming to town for their next two games.

Hofstra-UNC Wilmington
In a huge battle between CAA bubble teams, the Seahawks controlled the game from the start and look to be in good bubble position, while Hofstra probably needs to win the conference tournament now.

Cincy-Syracuse
The Bearcats trailed at the half but dominated the second half in a rout at Syracuse. Cincinnati gets a big win without Kirkland, while Syracuse heads onto the bubble.

Georgia-Kentucky
Kentucky picks up a huge bubble win and they eliminate a fellow SEC team from the bubble.

Nebraska-Iowa St.
Iowa St. loses another game at home and is pretty much done at 14-10 overall and 4-7 in the Big 12. The good news is that the game on Saturday against Oklahoma is away.

Florida-Vandy
The Commodores played well but couldn’t sneak out with the win.

Ohio St.-Wisconsin
In another elite Big Ten matchup, the road team lost. What else is new?

Arkansas-Mississippi
After this horrible loss, the Razorbacks probably need to take two from Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee in their next three.

Indiana-Penn St.
As rumors swirl that Mike Davis has resigned effective at season’s end, the Hoosiers lose their fourth in a row. This one was against a Penn St. team which had been blown out at home in their last two by Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Oklahoma-Colorado
The Buffalos finally pick up the huge, defining win that they were lacking from the resume. All of a sudden, they are very much in the field and will be Monday as long as they beat a fading Kansas St. team on Saturday.

Tuesday Recap

Alabama-South Carolina
South Carolina may have played their way onto the bubble with this victory. They are on a 3 game winning streak and have swept Florida but are still under .500 in the SEC. This was a game that bubble teams win to play their way into the field. The Tide aren’t done but probably need two of their next three (Tennessee, at Arkansas, Florida).

Creighton-Wichita St.
The Shockers picked up a huge win to move into sole possession of the MVC lead.

West Virginia-Seton Hall
The Pirates pick up another huge upset win against a tired West Virginia team and are looking great for an at-large.

Maryland-Clemson
Clemson has just pushed Maryland to the brink of the bubble.

Northern Iowa-Indiana St.
The Panthers are still easily in the field but this will hurt their seed.

Southern Illinois-Bradley
Maybe the Braves aren’t dead for an at-large quite yet. Southern Illinois needs two of their last three to assure themselves of an at-large.

Michigan St.-Iowa
Another marquee game in the Big Ten, another win for the home team.

Bracket Notes/Monday Recap

At-large teams
Every at-large team after Missouri St. is barely in the field. That leaves ten teams that are on the right side of the bubble and 18 teams on the other side of it. Some of those teams are pretty much done like Nebraska and Kansas St. but still have a chance because of the weakness of the at-large teams. A big win and they could be in next week.

The teams that occupy the one through six seeds are pretty much assured a spot in the field unless something drastic happens.

The seven through nine seeded teams are looking good, but have to win the games that they’re supposed to.

Missouri St. is looking good after their big win at Northern Iowa. Their RPI and SOS are very good and their Non-Conference RPI is awesome.

Automatic Bids
Georgia Southern takes control of the Southern but are in the play in game because they have the lowest RPI and SOS of any team in the field.

Montana is in over Northern Arizona because they have a better resume overall which indicates they are likely a better team. They play Northern Arizona on the 27th and the winner of that game will be my pick to win the Big Sky automatic bid.

Kent St. is the pick over Akron because of a head to head win. Same thing with Winthrop.

Belmont is in over Lipscomb because of a slightly better RPI, but a much better SOS. Although I think East Tennessee St. at a half-game back might be the best team.

Recap
Uconn-Villanova
The Wildcats played an absolute great game against the Huskies. The much smaller Wildcats had 6 block shots and out hustled the Huskies for loose balls and steals all night. It looked like they were done early in the second half after an early Uconn run, but dominated the rest of the game especially when Marcus Williams was sitting with foul trouble. There is no doubt that they are a one seed right now and might even be the number two seed overall. The rematch should be great in less than two weeks.

Chattanooga-Elon
The Phoenix clinch the Southern north conference and a one seed for the conference tournament.

La Tech-Nevada
Nevada trailed for most of the game but Nick Fazekas in a play reminiscent of Lorenzo Charles put back an airball and then broke up the inbounds pass to give the Wolf Pack the victory. The win gives Nevada a season sweep of former WAC leader La Tech, puts them in first by a game, and most importantly keeps them in the hunt for an at-large bid should they not get the auto bid.

Bracket Update

1 seeds
Duke (ACC)
Uconn (Big East)
Villanova
Memphis (C-USA)

2 seeds
Texas (Big 12)
Tennessee (SEC)
Ohio St. (Big Ten)
Gonzaga (WCC)

3 seeds
West Virginia
Pitt
Florida
Iowa

4 seeds
Illinois
GW (A-10)
NC State
UCLA (Pac-10)

5 seeds
UNC
Georgetown
Michigan St.
BC

6 seeds
Kansas
LSU
Oklahoma
Washington

7 seeds
Wisconsin
Northern Iowa (MVC)
Bucknell (Patriot)
Michigan

8 seeds
Syracuse
Wichita St.
George Mason (CAA)
Southern Illinois

9 seeds
Arizona
Nevada (WAC)
Cal
Creighton

10 seeds
Missouri St.
Alabama
Seton Hall
Indiana

11 seeds
Marquette
Maryland
UNC Wilmington
Kentucky

12 seeds
Cincinnati
Air Force
Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)
UAB

13 seeds
Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Horizon)
San Diego St. (Mt. West)
Iona (MAAC)
Kent St. (MAC)

14 seeds
Northwestern St. (Southland)
Murray St. (OVC)
Montana (Big Sky)
Penn (Ivy)

15 seeds
Winthrop (Big South)
Pacific (Big West)
IUPUI (MCC)
Albany (America East)

16 seeds
Delaware St. (MEAC)
Belmont (Atlantic Sun)
FDU (NEC)
Georgia Southern (Southern)*
Southern (SWAC)*

*- play-in game

Last Four In- Kentucky, Cincinnati, Air Force, UAB
First Four Out- Colorado, Vandy, Florida St., Arkansas

Multi-Bid Conferences
Big East- 9
Big Ten- 7
ACC- 5
MVC- 5
SEC- 5
Pac-10- 4
Big 12- 3
CAA- 2
C-USA- 2
Mt. West- 2

In
Alabama
UNC Wilmington
Cincinnati
Iona
Pacific
Belmont
Georgia Southern
Southern

Out
Iowa St.
Colorado
Utah St.
Manhattan
UC Irvine
Lipscomb
Davidson
Grambling St.

Also Considered
Vandy
Florida St.
Arkansas
Virginia
Hofstra
Houston
Akron
Miami Fl.
Louisville
Temple
Stanford
Xavier
Old Dominion
VCU
Texas A&M
Georgia
Kansas St.
Nebraska

Saturday Top Ten

Iowa-Indiana
Indiana is really struggling right now having lost four of five. However they are home for this one and Big Ten teams are having trouble winning on the road. Iowa is leading the Big Ten by a half-game but lost at Northwestern their last time out. Pick- Indiana

LSU-Florida
The Tigers avoided a losing streak by narrowly getting my Arkansas. Now they have to go to Florida where they may be without Glen “Baby Shaq” Davis. LSU has won three straight in the series. Pick- Florida

Duke-Maryland
The Terps are treading water since losing Chris McCray and they will play at a higher level with Duke coming into town. However Duke is just too good for Maryland. Pick Duke

Southern Illinois-Creighton
The Salukis won their first meeting of the season, but now go to Creighton for the rematch. The Blue Jays have played great since Nate Funk went down for the season. Both teams are safely in the Big Dance. Pick- Creighton

Kentucky-Vandy
When Vandy won at Kentucky, it looked like the Commodores where a lock for March and might even compete for the SEC championship. On the other hand, Kentucky was just trying to make the Field of 65. Since then Vandy has won once. Now Vandy appears done and Kentucky has some breathing room. However Vandy saves their season by sweeping the Wildcats. Pick- Vandy

UCLA-Washington
The Bruins are the only great team in the Pac-10 especially now that most of their players are back from injury. Pick- UCLA

Tennessee-Georgia
The Bulldogs are hanging around the bubble and surprisingly still have a good shot. But even though this game is at Georgia, Tennessee is a million times better. Pick- Tennessee

UConn-Seton Hall
The Pirates are riding an impressive 6 game winning streak. But they don’t have the size or talent to hang with UConn for long unless UConn takes the game off. Pick- UConn

Missouri St.-Northern Iowa
The Bears really need this game to keep their March hopes alive. However they have already lost to Northern Iowa at home and are coming off a heartbreaking loss at Southern Illinois. Northern Iowa’s spot for the dance is secure, but they are tied for the lead in the MVC. Pick- Northern Iowa

Stanford-Gonzaga
The Cardinal had an impressive recent stretch winning 8 of 9 before losing at California on Thursday. All that did was get them into the bubble talk. They still aren’t close from cracking the field and loss here likely means they are done. Gonzaga has had 5 days off and is coming off a big rivalry win against St. Mary’s. Pick- Gonzaga

Thursday Recap

Georgia Tech-Florida St.
The Seminoles furious run late in the second half keeps their tourney hoops alive. Beating UMass at home on Sunday is a must win.

Ohio St.-Michigan
This is only the third time this year a Big Ten elite has beaten another Big Ten elite on the road. This win is a little tainted though because Michigan was without their PG Dion Harris who left with 8 minutes to play.

George Mason-VCU
VCU hadn’t lost at home until the Patriots knocked them off at home. George Mason still has an at-large chance if they can’t get the automatic bid.

UCLA-Washington St.
The Bruins played Washington St.’s game better than the Cougars. Washington St. only scored 30 points for the whole game even tough Derrick Low returned albeit only playing 8 minutes. And this came 5 days after the Cougars had put up 77 against Washington.

Oregon-Arizona
The Wildcats somehow survived Oregon at home. A loss there and they would surely have been out of the bracket. Oregon St. shouldn’t be a problem, right?

West Virginia-Pitt
The Backyard Brawl nearly turned into one between Patrick Beilein and Carl Krasuer. It was a hotly contested game but West Virginia had no answer for Aaron Gray and Kevin Pittsnogle scored 0 points on 12 shots before fouling out with 7 minutes to play.

Stanford-Cal
Cal picks up a huge win in their rivalry but more importantly for the bubble. The Golden Bears stay a game out of the conference lead and stay ahead of Stanford in the standings. A Cardinal win would likely have put them ahead of Cal on list of bubble teams.

Wednesday Recap

NC State-Miami Fl.
Miami took NC State to double overtime, but couldn’t get the victory. They probably have to win two out of their next three against UNC, BC, and Duke to stay in the at-large discussion.

Indiana-Wisconsin
The Big Ten continues to prove that no one can win on the road. This time it was a hurting Indiana team getting crushed by an even worse-off Wisconsin team

Colorado-Texas A&M
The Buffalos have nothing close to a good victory and don’t pick one up here. For their part, the Aggies stay alive in the bubble talk.

Iowa St.-Kansas St.
The Wildcats also did their part to stay on the bubble.

Vandy-Alabama
Alabama gets another big win and this one comes against a fellow SEC bubble team. Right now Alabama is nearly in as Vandy is almost done.

Arkansas-LSU
The Razorbacks had their chance at a marquee win, but couldn’t close the deal. The same thing happened to them two weeks ago at Kentucky.

Syracuse-Uconn
The Orangemen continue their descent onto the bubble as the Huskies continue to show that they are the best team in America.

Air Force-SDSU
The Air Force loss likely guarantees this to be a one bid conference unless SDSU runs the table to the conference championship game.

UAB-UTEP
UTEP gave UAB a huge blow to their at-large chances and might get the Miners into the bubble talk.

Tuesday Recap

Duke-UNC
This was another great game in the Duke-North Carolina rivalry. UNC had a chance to tie, but passed up a tying three for a drive to the basket that produced a missed shot.

Tennessee-Kentucky
The Vols pick up another big victory and look to be a pod system team. Kentucky is still on the bubble and their remaining games aren’t easy.

Virginia-Maryland
A huge win for Maryland against another ACC bubble team and it was their first good win since losing Chris McCray.

St. Joe’s-Villanova
The Wildcats were down by 12 at half time, but Kyle Lowry had a huge second half as Villanova won by 13.

Wichita St.-N. Iowa
Northern Iowa won this battle between two of the three co-leaders in the MVC. Wichita St. still looks like a solid at-large team though.

Mizzou St.-Southern Illinois
The Salukis won this huge battle of MVC bubble teams. Southern Illinois stopped their two game slide and stays just a game behind the MVC leaders. Missouri St. can still get an at-large but probably need to win out in the regular season.

Monday Recap

Louisville-Cincy
The Bearcats get a huge win as it shows they can win without Armein Kirkland and it gives them separation against other Big East bubble teams.

St. Mary’s-Gonzaga
The Bulldogs get some home clock help at the end, but JP Batista and Sean Mallon who hit the game winning FT stepped up as Morrison had a bad shooting night and got into foul trouble in the second half.

Bracket Update

1 seeds
Duke (ACC)
Uconn (Big East)
Villanova
Memphis (C-USA)

2 seeds
Texas (Big 12)
Florida (SEC)
Michigan St. (Big Ten)
West Virginia

3 seeds
Gonzaga (WCC)
Illinois
Iowa
Tennessee

4 seeds
NC State
UCLA (Pac-10)
Pitt
Ohio St.

5 seeds
GW (A-10)
Georgetown
UNC
Indiana

6 seeds
Michigan
LSU
Northern Iowa (MVC)
BC

7 seeds
Oklahoma
UAB
Creighton
Bucknell (Patriot)

8 seeds
Syracuse
Wichita St.
Kansas
Washington

9 seeds
Kentucky
Seton Hall
George Mason (CAA)
Nevada

10 seeds
Wisconsin
Cal
Southern Illinois
Marquette

11 seeds
Arizona
Iowa St.
Maryland
Colorado

12 seeds
Utah St. (WAC)
Air Force
Western Kentucky (Sun Belt)
Missouri St.

13 seeds
Kent St. (MAC)
Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Horizon)
San Diego St. (Mt. West)
Manhattan (MAAC)

14 seeds
Northwestern St. (Southland)
Murray St. (OVC)
Montana (Big Sky)
Penn (Ivy)

15 seeds
Winthrop (Big South)
Davidson (Southern)
IUPUI (MCC)
UC Irvine (Big West)

16 seeds
Albany (America East)
Lipscomb (Atlantic Sun)
FDU (NEC)
Delaware St. (MEAC)*
Grambling St (SWAC)*

*- play-in game

Last Four In- Maryland, Colorado, Air Force, Missouri St.
First Four Out- Cincinnati, Miami Fl., Alabama, Temple

Multi-Bid Conferences
Big East- 8
Big Ten- 7
ACC- 5
Big 12- 5
MVC- 5
Pac-10- 4
SEC- 4
C-USA- 2
Mt. West- 2
WAC- 2

In
Iowa St.
Missouri St.
Kent St.
Manhattan
Utah St.
Grambling State

Out
Xavier
Vandy
Akron
Iona
La Tech
Southern

Also Considered
Cincy
Miami Fl.
Alabama
Temple
Arkansas
Louisville
Virginia
Georgia
Stanford
Hofstra
Bradley
Old Dominion
UNC Wilmington
Nebraska
Florida St.
Clemson
BYU
Houston
Rutgers
USC
Texas A&M
South Alabama
VCU
OK St.
Kansas St.

Sunday Preview

Pitt-Georgetown
This is going to be a rough and tough game between two teams who are solidly in the field.

Rutgers-Seton Hall
The Pirates have amazingly played themselves onto the bubble and likely into the field. This is a rivalry game, but a game the Pirates have to win.

Oklahoma-Kansas
A Jayhawks win seals their bid.

Maryland-NC State
The Terps need to right the ship and get a signature win without McCray. Both can be accomplished here but won’t.

Colorado-Iowa St.
The Buffalos are 15-3 but don’t have anything resembling a signature win. Although Iowa St. isn’t one either, it would still be their best win to date.

Thursday Recap

GW-Xavier
The Colonials played a great game at Xavier as the race for second best A-10 team becomes even more muddled.

UNC-Maryland
The Terps continue to struggle without Chris McCray and may be in danger of falling onto the bubble.

Arizona-USC
The Trojans get a bookend win to go along with their previous win against UNC. They aren’t out of it by any means but a win at Washington or against UCLA would go along way toward a bid, as Arizona continues to fall toward the bubble.

Wis. Milwaukee-Wright St.
The Panthers lost to Wright St. and now only have a one game lead in the loss column to Butler. Wright St. is two behind in the loss column.

ODU-Hofstra
The Pride are quietly putting together a nice little resume. They have won at St. John’s, beaten Wilmington, and now swept Old Dominion.

Northwestern St.-Sam Houston St.
The Demons of Northwestern St. win this battle for first place in the Southland.

Nevada-La Tech
The Wolf Pack pick up a win at conference leader Louisiana Tech and now move into a tie for second place with Utah St. who lost at New Mexico St. Both are just one behind La Tech for first.

Stanford-Oregon
The Cardinal pick up a nice win at Oregon.

UC Irvine-Pacific
A Pacific lost would have pretty much end this race, but they prevailed and can definitely win the conference tournament.

Wednesday Recap

Vandy-Tenn
The Commodores were leading the Vols for quite a while, but now Vandy has lost 4 of 5 and is short on wins.

Duke-BC
Great game all-around, it looks like BC has settled into ACC play even though they lost.

Virginia-NC State
The Cavs showed up on the road, but NC State found a way to win and get back on track. Virginia at 10-8 needs a miracle to make the Big Dance now.

UMass-Temple
Temple crushed UMass 11 days after only scoring 34 points against them. Temple is looking more and more like an NCAA team every day as they win and the other bubble teams lose.

Rutgers-Syracuse
A great game for Quincy Douby as he lit up the Orange, but Terrence Roberts hit a buzzer beater at the end of overtime to give the Orange their first win in 5 games.

Notre Dame-WV
No one wants the Luck of the Irish this year as they lose another close one.

Clemson-Fl. St.
The Tigers were better from the line, but shot only 35% from the field and 19% from the 3-point line.

Kent St.-Ohio
The Golden Flashes get a nice road win at Ohio and keep pace with Akron who beat Buffalo.

Alabama-Georgia
This is a road win that Alabama had to have, but they didn’t come through in a tough sport again.

St. Louis-URI
The Billikens end their streak-less streak as they won at Rhode Island which ends any hope that Rhode Island had at an at-large bid.

SH-Providence
The Pirates avoided a let down after beating two Top 25 teams last week and have a four game win streak headed into a rivalry game against Rutgers on Sunday.