South
1. Auburn vs. 16. Southern
8. West Virginia vs. 9. Oklahoma
5. Memphis vs. 12. McNeese
4. Texas Tech vs. 13. Samford
6. Missouri vs. 11. Nebraska
3. Wisconsin vs. 14. Lipscomb
7. Mississippi State vs. 10. Ohio State
2. Houston vs. 15. UNC Wilmington
West
1. Alabama vs. 16. Little Rock/Omaha
8. Oregon vs. 9. Utah State
5. Marquette vs. 12. Yale
4. Michigan vs. 13. Arkansas State
6. UCLA vs. 11. UC San Diego
3. Arizona vs. 14. Grand Canyon
7. Louisville vs. 10. Gonzaga
2. Texas A&M vs. 15. Norfolk State
Midwest
1. Tennessee vs. 16. Bryant
8. St. Mary’s vs. 9. New Mexico
5. Ole Miss vs. 12. Drake
4. Kansas vs. 13. Akron
6. Creighton vs. 11. San Diego State/Arkansas
3. Iowa State vs. 14. Northern Colorado
7. Clemson vs. 10. Texas
2. Purdue vs. 15. Cleveland State
East
1. Duke vs. 16. Quinnipiac/American
8. UConn vs. 9. Vanderbilt
5. Kentucky vs. 12. VCU
4. St. John’s vs. 13. High Point
6. Illinois vs. 11. Georgia/Wake Forest
3. Michigan State vs. 14. Liberty
7. Maryland vs. 10. Baylor
2. Florida vs. 15. CCSU
Last Four In:
Georgia
Wake Forest
San Diego State
Arkansas
First Four Out:
BYU
SMU
Pitt
Boise State
Mountain West, UCSD on the rise
Once Boise State lost to New Mexico, San Diego State and Utah State in January, I wrote them off for an at-large spot. The Broncos continued to handle business and started to rise in the metrics. Right now, they are No. 47 in the NET rankings, ahead of fellow bubble teams North Carolina, Xavier and Wake Forest. What hurts Boise State is its 2-3 record in Quad 1 and 2, respectively. When looking at the blind resumes, there are worse resumes compared to previous years. If Boise State can go at least 2-1 this time around against the three Mountain West tournament teams, they have a shot at being the Mountain West’s fourth team dancing in March.
Another team out west to watch is UC San Diego. The Tritons went into Irvine and beat the Anteaters 85-67 to take the Big West automatic qualifier bid. Their resume is stronger than Drake’s and they have a better rotation. If they do not get the conference AQ spot, UCSD has a chance at getting an at-large.
Bubble Watch
It took me awhile to determine who would get the final spot. Arkansas has been playing better than BYU as of late. They both have very similar resumes, but the Cougars have lost two straight. SMU and Pitt have good resumes but have not passed the eye test and do not have any definitive wins. They will need to go far in the conference tournament or beat one of the top three teams in the ACC.
San Diego State will also need to show out against Utah State, New Mexico and Boise State. The Aztecs are in a similar situation as Boise State since it has not capitalized on its opportunities in conference play.
