SERIOUSLY GONZAGA
Can you say Hampton?! If any potential #2/#3 (if you think they're up for a #1 seed just leave this site now and go back to your work at the Spokane Kool-Aid factory) seed looked ripe for a major first round upset, it's Gonzaga. They play zero defense, and for a Top 5 team sure did struggle against a bunch of teams at home that won't even be considered for the NIT. Hopefully they won't get every call in the Big Dance like they did all year in the WCC.
It's a good thing Hofstra battled back against UNC-Wilmington last night in the Colonial Athletic Association title game, because a blowout loss could have been just enough of an excuse for the selection committee to leave them out come Sunday. They did come back, however, and our numbers point to the Pride being solidly in the field (as a #9 seed in fact).
Now, for the updated bubble watch as of Tuesday morning:
Last Eight In: Seton Hall, Alabama, George Mason*, Kentucky, Michigan, Arizona, UAB, California
Eight Men Out: Syracuse, Florida State, Air Force, Houston, Maryland, Texas A&M, Colorado, BYU
*Our formula obviously doesn't take into account something like the suspension of a star player, as in the case of George Mason's Tony Shinn. So while the Patriot's resume should be enough to get in on merit, the loss of such a major contributor could damage the chances at a bid.
- There's no doubt that a first round exit from the Pac-10 Tournament could doom both Arizona and California. On the flip side, get past that one and both should be fine come Selection Sunday.
- Our numbers still show all six Missouri Valley teams, and all three Colonial teams in the field with some room to spare, but Championship Week can close that gap in a hurry since the power conferences all have several potential big games on the slate.
- Perfect example is in the Big 12, where only one of either A&M or Colorado can reach the semi-finals of the conference tournament. If the Buffs take care of Baylor and knock off A&M, look for them come Selection Sunday instead of the Aggies. If A&M takes care of either Baylor or Colorado, that should be enough to get them in. If the upstart Bears win two games, however, chalk up the Big 12 for a whopping 3 bids!
- Another league with room for some movement is the ACC, where Florida State probably will get in with just one more win against Wake Forest in the 1st round of the conference tournament. Maryland is also a team who with two more wins would be right on the cusp of a bid.
- And while Syracuse looks absolutely dead in the water right now, who knows what can happen in Madison Square Garden? And if the Orange were to knock off Cincinnati in the 1st round of the Big East tournament , they could be right back in the picture.
- Poor, poor, Air Force. Wish we could help you out. Unfortunately you're probably going to have to win your conference tournament, or at the very least get to the final to have a chance at the Big Dance.
It's a good thing Hofstra battled back against UNC-Wilmington last night in the Colonial Athletic Association title game, because a blowout loss could have been just enough of an excuse for the selection committee to leave them out come Sunday. They did come back, however, and our numbers point to the Pride being solidly in the field (as a #9 seed in fact).
Now, for the updated bubble watch as of Tuesday morning:
Last Eight In: Seton Hall, Alabama, George Mason*, Kentucky, Michigan, Arizona, UAB, California
Eight Men Out: Syracuse, Florida State, Air Force, Houston, Maryland, Texas A&M, Colorado, BYU
*Our formula obviously doesn't take into account something like the suspension of a star player, as in the case of George Mason's Tony Shinn. So while the Patriot's resume should be enough to get in on merit, the loss of such a major contributor could damage the chances at a bid.
- There's no doubt that a first round exit from the Pac-10 Tournament could doom both Arizona and California. On the flip side, get past that one and both should be fine come Selection Sunday.
- Our numbers still show all six Missouri Valley teams, and all three Colonial teams in the field with some room to spare, but Championship Week can close that gap in a hurry since the power conferences all have several potential big games on the slate.
- Perfect example is in the Big 12, where only one of either A&M or Colorado can reach the semi-finals of the conference tournament. If the Buffs take care of Baylor and knock off A&M, look for them come Selection Sunday instead of the Aggies. If A&M takes care of either Baylor or Colorado, that should be enough to get them in. If the upstart Bears win two games, however, chalk up the Big 12 for a whopping 3 bids!
- Another league with room for some movement is the ACC, where Florida State probably will get in with just one more win against Wake Forest in the 1st round of the conference tournament. Maryland is also a team who with two more wins would be right on the cusp of a bid.
- And while Syracuse looks absolutely dead in the water right now, who knows what can happen in Madison Square Garden? And if the Orange were to knock off Cincinnati in the 1st round of the Big East tournament , they could be right back in the picture.
- Poor, poor, Air Force. Wish we could help you out. Unfortunately you're probably going to have to win your conference tournament, or at the very least get to the final to have a chance at the Big Dance.
posted by Art Vandalay at 7:13 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home