March 4, 2010 Bracket Breakdown
Mitch Light's eighth Bracket Breakdown of the season is right here with 65 teams that would be in if the season ended today, a few more that are worth a mention and plenty of notes.
ACC (7)
In: Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Notes: Virginia Tech snapped a three-game slide Wednesday night with a win at home over NC State. The Hokies can solidify their spot in the field with a win at Georgia Tech this weekend. If not, they might have to win a game (or two, depending on the matchups) in the ACC Tournament. Tech’s main issue is its lack of quality wins, especially on the road. The Hokies beat Seton Hall (RPI 61) on a neutral court, but their best true road win is at No. 109 NC State. Georgia Tech, with four top-40 wins, is still in decent shape, but the Jackets don’t want to lose at home to Virginia Tech on Saturday.
America East (1)
In: Stony Brook
A-10 (5)
In: Dayton, Rhode Island, Richmond, Temple, Xavier
Worth a mention: Charlotte
Notes: Rhode Island snuck into the field with an impressive win over Charlotte Wednesday night. Dayton can really improve its resume by winning at Richmond Thursday night. A loss at Richmond isn’t a bad loss, but it would bump the Flyers’ conference record down to 8–7. Charlotte has lost five of six to play its way out of the field. A loss at home to Richmond on Saturday would end the 49ers’ slim hopes.
Atlantic Sun (1)
In: Belmont
Big 12 (7)
In: Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M
Notes: There is no Big 12 bubble. All seven teams are secure, and there are no other teams worth discussing.
Big East (8)
In: Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Villanova, West Virginia
Worth a mention: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Seton Hall, South Florida
Notes: For the purposes of this week’s bracket, the Notre Dame-UConn game last night, won by the Irish, was a true elimination game. The Huskies’ loss ensures a losing record in Big East play, which isn’t a deal-breaker by any stretch, but it is a wart on their resume. Notre Dame can lock up a bid by winning at Marquette, but that will be very difficult. Cincinnati can bolster its resume by winning at Georgetown this weekend.
Big Sky (1)
In: Weber State
Big South (1)
In: Coastal Carolina
Big Ten (5)
In: Illinois, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, Wisconsin
Notes: Illinois is a tough call. The Illini have a ton of losses (12 to be exact), including a couple of true warts (vs. Bradley, vs. Utah), but they do have four top-25 wins, including two on the road (Wisconsin, Clemson). To me, this separates this team from other clubs on the bubble. A win Sunday vs. Wisconsin would be a big help. Minnesota played its way out of the picture with its no-show at Michigan Tuesday night.
Big West (1)
In: UC-Santa Barbara
Colonial (1)
In: Old Dominion
Conference USA (1)
In: UTEP
Worth a mention: Memphis, UAB
Notes: UAB played its way out of the field by losing at home to Memphis (which is suddenly on the bubble), but the Blazers can play their way back in by winning at UTEP this weekend.
Horizon (1)
In: Butler
Ivy (1)
In: Cornell
MAAC (1)
In: Siena
MAC (1)
In: Kent State
MEAC (1)
In: Morgan State
Missouri Valley (1)
In: Northern Iowa
Mountain West (4)
In: BYU, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV
Worth a mention: San Diego State was the last team in the field, and the Aztecs they have the UAB Blazers to thank. UAB lost at home to Memphis, opening up one more spot in the field. The Aztecs are 10–5 in an underrated league but only have three wins vs. top-100 foes, all at home. They lost by 22 at fellow bubble member Saint Mary’s on opening night, and they also have losses at Arizona State and at Pacific.
Northeast (1)
In: Quinnipiac
Ohio Valley (1)
In: Murray State
Pac-10 (1)
In: California
Worth a mention: Arizona State, Washington
Notes: Cal, with its No. 21 RPI and gaudy league record (12–5), has played its way into the at-large pool if it doesn’t win the league tournament. Arizona State is in the picture, but the Sun Devils only have one top-50 win (vs. San Diego State at home) and have nine losses.
Patriot (1)
In: Lehigh
SEC (4)
In: Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Worth a mention: Mississippi State, Ole Miss
Notes: Mississippi State’s loss at Auburn Wednesday night was obviously very damaging, but the Bulldogs can pick up a quality win against Tennessee at home this weekend. Ole Miss needs to win its final two regular season games (LSU, at Arkansas) and get something done in the SEC Tournament. The Rebels do, however, have two quality non-conference wins to brag about -- Kansas State on a neutral court and home vs. UTEP.
Southern (1)
In: Wofford
Southland (1)
In: Sam Houston State
Summit (1)
In: Oakland
Sun Belt (1)
In: Troy
SWAC (1)
In: Jackson State
WAC (1)
In: Utah State
WCC (2)
In: Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s
Notes: Saint Mary’s doesn’t have the strongest of resumes, but in this year of the weak bubble, the Gaels are in decent shape. As the No. 2 seed in the WCC Tournament, it would not be a good thing if they lost before the championship game vs. Gonzaga.
