RSSMarch 13, 10:20 a.m.: The national picture should come into better focus today because some teams – including Maryland and Virginia Tech -- have the opportunity to play their way into the tournament field.
San Diego State (vs. Brigham Young) and Florida (vs. Auburn) are two other teams that could significantly enhance their tournament chances with victories today.
Right now, I have 12 teams in contention for the last four at-large spots. The situation remains fluid, and it will change throughout the day.
LAST FOUR IN
Arizona (19-13, 9-9)
Pros: Beat Kansas, Washington and Gonzaga
Cons: 2-9 road record, 8-12 vs. top 100, lost five of six
San Diego State (20-8, 11-5)
Pros: Beat UNLV three times
Cons: 1 top 50 win
Nevada-Las Vegas (21-10, 9-7)
Pros: won at Louisville, swept BYU
Cons: Lost to San Diego State three times
Florida (23-9, 9-7)
Pros: Beat Washington, 23 overall wins
Cons: 2-6 vs. top 50, 2-7 on road
FIRST TEAMS OUT
Saint Mary’s (23-6, 10-4)
Pros: Mills is back, 8-3 road record
Cons: 146 SOS, 0-0 vs. top 25
Virginia Tech (18-13, 7-9)
Pros: two top 30 road wins
Cons: 2-8 vs. top 50, 1-6 down the stretch of reg. season
Maryland (19-12, 7-9)
Pros: two top five victories
Cons: 2-6 on road, 12-12 vs. top 200
South Carolina (21-8, 10-6)
Pros: 21 overall wins
Cons: 281 non-conference SOS, 1-5 vs. top 50
Creighton (26-7, 14-4)
Pros: 8 road wins, 26 overall wins
Cons: 10-0 vs. 200 or worse, 107 SOS
Auburn (20-10, 10-6)
Pros: 20 overall wins, beat the SEC’s two best teams
Cons: bland resume
Southern California (19-12, 9-9)
Pros: Beat California twice
Cons: 2-8 road record
Providence (19-13, 10-8)
Pros: Win vs. Pittsburgh, winning BE record
Cons: 70 RPI, 2-8 vs. top 50
By
Eric Prisbell
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March 13, 2009; 10:29 AM ET
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