Bubble Watch

[The_Mack_Pack]

The bubble is super weak this season which is a major positive for the A-10. Good news tonight is that Louisville, Notre Dame, and Minnesota all lost plus loses by UNC and Uconn last night have probably just about popped all of their bubbles.

I would not be surprised at all if 6 A-10 teams make it in because they probably deserve it more than these underachievers.

Other bubble games tonight: Mississippi at Mississippi State, Washington at California, and Saint Mary's might be in trouble in they lose to Gonzaga tonight.

Pop them bubbles!

[Xman95]

I would not be surprised at all if 6 A-10 teams make it in because they probably deserve it more than these underachievers.

Seems that the league is picking up more and more support as the season moves on. The "big boys" aren't locking up what would normally be their spots in the field and the top half of the A-10 continues to look good. While I think six teams might be a stretch (not that they don't deserve it, just that the committee won't take them all), the higher the "possible" number gets, the more likely the "actual" number becomes higher. When five seemed possible, three or four was probably more likely. Now that six is being thrown around**, maybe four or five becomes likely.

Of course, if the league does get 4+, we have to hope that the teams don't get in the tourney and really blow it. If the tourney gives you some love and you play like arse, they'll think twice before putting that many back in again. Well, unless you're from a BCS conference.


** - just to clarify, I'm not suggesting that anyone has thrown Jenna von Oy around.
http://tracidavies.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/jenna.jpg

[JimCoker]

I don't care who makes it in as long as Cronin doesn't.

Ever notice how you don't get much interest in the office NIT bracket pool from UC fans.

[The_Mack_Pack]

The NIT is going to be power packed this season.

UNC, Arizona, UCLA, UC, Louisville, Notre Dame, Indiana, among others.

[94GRAD]

The NIT is going to be power packed this season.

UNC, Arizona, UCLA, UC, Louisville, Notre Dame, Indiana, among others.

Don't forget another final 4 participant from last year, UCONN.

[GoMuskies]

Indiana won't make the NIT. Perhaps the CBI.

[Pluto]

UNC might not end up with a .500 record

[The_Mack_Pack]

There's really only one bubble game tonight and that's Virginia at Maryland.

Teams who hurt themselves over the weekend: Uconn, Florida :), Illinois, Minnesota, Notre Dame, Dayton, URI, UAB,Texas Tech and Saint Mary's

Teams who helped themselves: UC and Louisville (not much of a list)

Xavier helped themselves a lot as well but they probably would have made the tournament had they lost that game anyway.

[American X]

The NIT is going to be power packed this season.

UNC, Arizona, UCLA, UC, Louisville, Notre Dame, Indiana, among others.

Crike. Add up the national championships for that group.

And a few people around here said X has not met their expectations this year. Goodness, have a chug of reality.

[rhyno2110]

With Louisville beating 'Cuse yesterday, that just makes Charlotte's resume that much better.

It showes you the kind of team Charlotte can be. If Charlotte wants to make the tourney, they need to avoid bad losses, and gain a big win. That means, a win over Xavier, Richmond, or RI would probably keep them in the tourney. I don't think they are in a good position though. Those are some tough games, and it seems like Charlotte is vulnerable to bad losses.

[AviatorX]

With Louisville beating 'Cuse yesterday, that just makes Charlotte's resume that much better.

It showes you the kind of team Charlotte can be. If Charlotte wants to make the tourney, they need to avoid bad losses, and gain a big win. That means, a win over Xavier, Richmond, or RI would probably keep them in the tourney. I don't think they are in a good position though. Those are some tough games, and it seems like Charlotte is vulnerable to bad losses.

Not really. Charlotte beat a UL team that was playing without several of its best players.

[rhyno2110]

I wasn't sure where to put this, but Charlotte is having a white-out when we go to their place.

[X-band '01]

I wasn't sure where to put this, but Charlotte is having a white-out when we go to their place.

3rd straight year they've had one for us. Now I get pissed when teams DON'T have a ----out against Xavier.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Not really. Charlotte beat a UL team that was playing without several of its best players.

I believe Charlotte was missing one of its starters as well.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Louisville was missing Siva and two other guards while Charlotte was missing Wilderness. I'd say since the game was at Louisville and both teams had some injuries that it was still pretty fair.

[AviatorX]

I believe Charlotte was missing one of its starters as well.

Fair enough. To be clear, my point (which wasn't worded very well) was more that Charlotte being a good team doesn't need to be validated by UL beating the Cuse.

[GoMuskies]

The game after losing to Charlotte at home, Louisville lost to Western Carolina at home. They stunk at that point. Hell, they've stunk most of the year (save Sunday).

[golfitup]

The awesome teams outside the bubble this year are a perfect example of why the tournament field needs to expand!

[XU05and07]

Don't forget another final 4 participant from last year, UCONN.

Until they decide to show up and knock off Nova

[GoMuskies]

Big East is finding a way to get 8 in.

[Masterofreality]

Big East is finding a way to get 8 in.

Yep. Top teams throw a couple of games to the borderlines to help their resume.

You'd think that they'd want a conference championship.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Monday and Tuesday games:

Teams who hurt themselves: UC, Virginia, Texas Tech, Mississippi State

Teams who helped themselves: Uconn, South Florida

Teams who are officially dead: UNC, George Mason

There are a lot of bubble games the next two days, should get exciting.

[The_Mack_Pack]

Wednesday and Thursday games:

Teams who helped themselves: Louisville, Florida State, Missouri

Teams who hurt themselves: Charlotte, UNLV, Notre Dame, Miami(FL), URI, Marquette, California, Mississippi

Teams who are dead: Virginia, Washington, Northwestern

This could be the make or break week for a lot of bubble teams.

[X-band '01]

If it makes UD, URI, and Charlotte feel any better, teams like ODU, Northeastern, W&M, and Siena wet themselves on BracketBusters this weekend. I fully expect Siena to win their conference tournament, but Butler and Gonzaga are the teams they have to watch out for.

In fact, it's only fair that Wright State beats Butler. At least then the Bulldogs can get back in Xavier's good graces by screwing Dayton out of two NCAA bids.