Bracketogoly 165 – March 14th Edition
March 14th (Cick to enlarge)
Next Update: March 15th
Dear Umass, Oregon, Florida, Maryland, Ole Miss, New Mexico, and UAB Fans,
I feel your pain.
It wasn’t too long ago Michigan only needed one win in their conference tournament to make the field. Instead, like all the teams listed above, they came up short, and are headed to the NIT. After a good week of bubble teams duping us into thinking they knew what it took to make the field, they proved us all wrong yesterday. How bad was it? Arizona State is back in the field despite losing to USC, VCU rejoing the field after their early exit from the Colonial tournament, and Baylor managed to avoid serious bubble danger after a horrible loss to Colorado.
If I had to pick, I could call UMass this bracket’s biggest loser. The A10 is now in danger of ended up as a one-bid league if both Temple and Saint Joe’s lose today. On the other hand, it could easily become a 3 bid league if both win. The A10 is clearly today’s most intriguing tournament.
Despite not playing, Ohio State is this bracket’s the biggest winner, moving up to an 11 seed with everyone else losing. They still need to beat Michigan State for the second time in five days to lock up their bid. The way the other bubble teams are playing though, a competitive loss just might get them into the field when all is said and done.
Today’s Big Games:
Miami (FL) vs. Virginia Tech – The Hokies need two if they hope to make it back in.
Arkansas vs. Vanderbilt – The Hogs need to keep this one competitive to avoid falling out, while
Vanderbilt needs another win to help the committee forget about their horrid end to the year.
Colagate vs. American – The Patriot League awards it’s automatic bid. American has spent the vast majority of the season on the top of the standings, and get to play this one on their home floor as a reward.
St. Joe’s vs. Xavier – A win and the Red Hawks are dancing, while Xavier hopes to fight their way back to a 2 seed.
USC vs. UCLA – After splitting the season series, these two red-hot teams showdown for the a trip to the PAC 10 finals.
Washintgton State vs. Stanford: The Cardinal’s stock would definitely rise if they can pull off beat the Cougars for the third time this war.
Charlotte vs. Temple – A second place regular season finish, and at least a runner-up showing in the A10 Tourny should be enough to get the Owls into the field.
Miami (OH) vs. Kent State – Bubble teams, hold your breath…
tHe bReAkDoWn:
Last Four In: Ohio State, Arizona State, Villanova, VCU
First Four Out: Saint Joe’s, Temple, Oregon, Virginia Tech
Next Four Out: New Mexico, Syracuse, Charlotte, Maryland,
Conference-By-Conference (*Current Conference Leaders/Highest Remaining Seed)
Conference Champions: Cornell (Ivy), Belmont (A-Sun), Winthrop (Big South), Drake (MVC), Austin Peay (OVC), Davidson (SoCon), George Mason (CAA), Siena (MAAC), San Diego (WCC), Oral Roberts (Summit), Butler (Horizon), Western Kenucky (Sun Belt), Portland State (Big Sky), Moutn Saint Mary’s (Northest)
Big East (8 Bids)
Locked In: *Georgetown, Louisville, UConn, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pitt
Nearly Locked In: West Virginia
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in: Villanova
On the Bubble, but out: Syracuse
Big 12 (6 Bids)
Locked In: *Texas, Kansas
Nearly Locked In: Kansas State, Oklahoma
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in: Baylor, Texas A&M
On the Bubble, but out:
Pac-10 (6 Bids)
Locked In: *UCLA, Stanford, Washington State, USC
Nearly Locked In: Arizona
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in: Arizona State
On the Bubble, but out: Oregon
SEC (5 Bids)
Locked In: *Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Missippi State
Nearly Locked In: Kentucky
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in: Arkansas
On the Bubble, but out: Florida, Ole Miss
Big Ten (5 Bids)
Locked In: *Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue, Michigan State
Nearly Locked In:
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in: Ohio State
On the Bubble, but out:
ACC (4 Bids)
Locked In: *Duke, UNC, Clemson
Nearly Locked In:
Solidly In: Miami (FL)
On the Bubble, but in:
On the Bubble, but out: Maryland, Virginia Tech
West Coast (3 Bids)
Locked In: Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, **San Diego
Nearly Locked In:
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in:
On the Bubble, but out:
Missouri Valley (2 Bids)
Locked In: **Drake
Nearly Locked In:
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in: Illinois State
On the Bubble, but out:
Mountian West (2 Bids)
Locked In: *BYU
Nearly Locked In:
Solidly In: UNLV
On the Bubble, but in:
On the Bubble, but out: New Mexico
Sun Belt (2 Bids)
Locked In: **Western Kentucky
Nearly Locked In:
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in: South Alabama
On the Bubble, but out:
Colonial (2 Bids)
Locked In: **George Mason
Nearly Locked In:
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in: VCU
On the Bubble, but out:
A10 (1 Bid)
Locked In: *Xavier
Nearly Locked In:
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in:
On the Bubble, but out: Temple, Saint Joe’s, Charlotte, Dayton
The One-and-Done Conference Leaders:
Locked In: Memphis (C-USA)
Nearly Locked In:
Solidly In:
On the Bubble, but in: Kent State (MAC)
On the Bubble, but out: Stephen F. Austin (Southland)
Gotta win the Tournament: Morgan State (MEAC), American (Patriot), Alabama State (SWAC), Utah State (WAC), UCSB (Big West)
Mike Fahmie
