Friday, March 30, 2012

MLB Top 10 Catchers - Post 1980

As I was putting together my MLB lists, here are a few of the things to note.  (1) The player qualifies at the position he played the most career games at, but is not penalized for playing multiple positions.  (2)  While the list is Post 1980, it really is players I got to see a decent part of their careers and 1970's stats are included in my analysis.  (3)  I will use my own judgment when applying steroid use/suspicions.

10.  Tony Pena - More of a defensive catcher, but who didn't emulate some of his crazy catching stances as a kid?  Pena was a 5-time all-star and played in two World Series.

9.  Joe Mauer - The best pure hitter on the list, Mauer is one of two career .300 hitters on this list and one of two to win an MVP.  Injuries have started to take their toll on the early career returns, but Mauer is still poised to ascend up this ladder.

8. Javy Lopez - One of the many key players of those oh-so-close Atlanta teams, Lopez was another power-hitting catcher. His career totals of 260 home runs and over 800 RBI's are supplemented by 9 playoff appearances and 1 World Series ring.

7.  Lance Parrish - Remembered mostly as a fixture in the middle of the order for the Tigers of the 1980's, Parrish ended his career with 324 home runs and over 1000 RBI's.  He was an 8-time all-star and won 1 World Series ring with the dominant '84 Tigers.

6.  Benito Santiago - Santiago presented a good mix of offensive and defensive skills, with his defense placing him higher than some of his more gifted offensive counterparts.  His 34-game hitting streak was impressive considering the everyday grind of the catching position.

5.  Jorge Posada - The top four players on this list were all at least 10-time all-stars, but none have the post-season hardware of Posada.  15 playoff appearances, 6 World Series appearances, 4 Rings.  275 home runs and over 1000 RBI are not to shabby either.

4.  Gary Carter - The late Gary Carter lands at #4.  An 11-time all-star, Carter swatted 324 home runs and drove in over 1200 runs.  Like his mates in the top 4, Carter also exceeded 2000 career hits and is considered an all-time great at his position.

3.  Carlton Fisk - Stay fair, Stay Fair.  I know that was in the 70's, but it's an image we have all seen hundreds of times.  Fisk tallied over 2300 hits in his storied career, with 376 of those clearing the fence.  Despite the aforementioned highlight, Fisk did not win a World Series ring.

2.  Mike Piazza - Tommy Lasorda's nephew tops all catchers on the list with 427 long balls and joins Mauer as a career .300 hitter.  The best offensive catcher of his era, Piazza was a 12-time all-star and played in one World Series, where he was lucky enough to have Roger Clemens throw his broken bat back at him.

1.  Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez - Great defensive catcher? Check (13 Gold Gloves).  Over 300 HR's? Check.  Over 2800 hits? Check.  14-time All-Star?  Check.  MVP?  Check.  World Series ring?  Check.  While there are some greats on this list, there is no question that Rodriguez is the greatest catcher of the past 30 years. 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

More posts coming

After a short break to decompress after the bracketology season, I will get back to varied posts including more Sports Lists for your reading enjoyment.  We have the start of the MLB season, the NFL draft, NBA playoffs and more.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Bracketology Thank You

Thanks for those who followed my brackets throughout the year.  It looks like my end score will not be up to the standard I had hoped.  While I had 67 of 68 teams correct and 62 seeded within 1 ine, I only nailed 29 seeds exactly.  2012 will be known as the "off by one" year.  Back at it next year.  Now time to fill out some brackets.

NCAA Field of 68 - March 11 (FINAL)

Midwest Regional
Louisville
(1)  Kentucky (16) Vermont/Miss Valley State
(8)  Gonzaga vs (9) Purdue
Portland
(5)  New Mexico vs (12) Colorado
(4)  Georgetown vs (13) Long Beach State
Columbus
(6)  Temple vs (11) VCU
(3)  Michigan vs (14)  Belmont
Omaha
(7)  Cincinnati vs (10)  Virginia
(2)  Kansas vs (15)  Detroit
West Regional
Omaha
(1)  Missouri vs (16)  Norfolk State
(8)  St. Mary's vs (9)  Connecticut
Nashville
(5)  Murray State vs (12) Drexel/Iona
(4)  Florida State vs (13)  South Dakota State
Nashville
(6)  Florida vs (11)  Southern Miss
(3)  Louisville vs (14)  Montana
Columbus
(7)  San Diego State vs (10) St. Louis
(2)  Michigan State vs (15) Long Island

South Regional
Greensboro
(1)  North Carolina vs (16)  Western Kentucky/Lamar
(8)  Notre Dame vs (9)  Xavier
Portland
(5)  Indiana vs (12)  California
(4)  Vanderbilt vs (13)  Ohio
Louisville
(6)  UNLV vs (11) Texas/South Florida
(3)  Marquette vs (14)  Davidson
Pittsburgh
(7)  Kansas State  vs (10)  Harvard
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  Lehigh

East Regional
Pittsburgh
(1)  Syracuse vs (16)  UNC-Asheville
(8)  Iowa State vs (9)  Alabama
Albuquerque
(5)  Memphis vs (12) BYU
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13)  St. Bonaventure
Albuquerque
(6)  Wichita State vs (11)  Colorado State
(3)  Baylor vs (14)  New Mexico State
Greensboro
(7)  Creighton vs (10)  West Virginia
(2)  Duke vs (15)  Loyola-Maryland

Friday, March 9, 2012

NCAA Field of 68 - March 9 Midday

  • Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Kansas and North Carolina
  • I have done my best to balance the Top 4 in each region and consider distance.  This is not easy, as the West can not always get the 4th team on a line.
  • Last 6 In - Xavier, Drexel, South Florida, Iona, NC State and Tennessee (none are locked in)
  • Next 6 (no order) - Miami, Seton Hall, Washington, Northwestern, Mississippi
  • One First Four game moved to 11 line to accomodate travel.
Midwest Regional
Omaha
(1)  Kansas (16) Norfolk State
(8)  GONZAGA vs (9) CONNECTICUT
Portland
(5)  TEMPLE vs (12) SOUTH FLORIDA
(4)  WICHITA STATE vs (13)  SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
Columbus
(6)  San Diego State vs (11) VCU
(3)  Marquette vs (14)  BELMONT
Columbus
(7)  Florida vs (10)  HARVARD
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  LEHIGH

South Regional
Louisville
(1)  Kentucky vs (16)  Mississippi Valley State/Lamar
(8)  Cincinnati vs (9)  IOWA STATE
Portland
(5)  Florida State vs (12) Xavier
(4)  Louisville vs (13)  Nevada
Albuquerque
(6)  CREIGHTON vs (11)  WEST VIRGINIA
(3)  Baylor vs (14)  MONTANA
Columbus
(7)  New Mexico vs (10) Southern Miss
(2)  Michigan State vs (15) LONG ISLAND

West Regional
Greensboro
(1)  North Carolina vs (16)  WESTERN KENTUCKY/Stony Brook
(8)  KANSAS STATE vs (9)  Purdue
Albuquerque
(5)  UNLV vs (12)  BYU
(4)  GEORGETOWN vs (13)  Long Beach State
Louisville
(6)  Vanderbilt vs (11)  NC STATE/IONA
(3)  Michigan vs (14)  DAVIDSON
Omaha
(7)  ST. MARY'S  vs (10)  California
(2)  Missouri vs (15)  DETROIT

East Regional
Pittsburgh
(1)  Syracuse vs (16)  UNC-ASHEVILLE
(8)  Alabama vs (9)  VIRGINIA
Nashville
(5)  MURRAY STATE vs (12) Texas
(4)  INDIANA vs (13)  Tennessee/DREXEL
Nashville
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11)  St. Louis
(3)  Wisconsin vs (14)  Akron
Greensboro
(7)  Memphis vs (10)  Colorado State
(2)  Duke vs (15)  LOYOLA-MARYLAND

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Field of 68 - Christmas in March

Today is the day it really starts.  The Madness begins as all conference tournaments get underway today, including a plethora of bubble teams in action.  Wall-to-Wall College Basketball for the next 3 days (Sunday has become less important in the overall landscape until the Selection Show).  Here are the things I am looking for over the next 3 days, as well as some thoughts on my bracket.

The Overall #1 Seed
Kentucky vs Syracuse.  Kentucky has been #1 now since Syracuse took their first loss, but it could be argued that the Orange have played a tougher schedule and that the Big East is stronger than the SEC.  If only one of them wins their conference tourney, its an easy choice.  If both do, it will be interesting which way the committee goes.

The Final Two #1 Seeds
Kentucky and Syracuse are locked in as #1's.  Book it.  Conceivably Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio State, Missouri, Duke and Michigan State are still alive for the final two #1's.  I think Kansas and North Carolina control their own destiny.  The messiest scenario has Duke beating UNC in the ACC Final, Missouri beating Kansas in the Big 12 Final and Ohio State and Michigan State playing in the Big 10 Final as the committee is finishing the bracket. 

Michigan State minus Brandon Dawson
While not a star player, Dawson plays a significant role for the Spartans, especially his athleticism on defense.  If Michigan State does not show well on Friday or Saturday, I think a 3-seed may be more fitting for Sparty.

Mountain West Free-for-All
At times this year, UNLV, San Diego State and New Mexico have all looked the part of best in the Mountain West.  It is still difficult to separate these teams, outside of UNLV's win over North Carolina that the other two don't have.  The tragic aspect of the Mountain West Tourney is that UNLV is the host, but I am interested in seeing if the results the next 3 days will give a clearer picture of the order of these 3 schools.

Strong Mid-Major vs Decent High-Major
Currently, the 4 through 7 lines are potentially littered with best of the Mid-Majors this year.  The second level of High-Major teams have been going backwards lately (think Florida) and there has been little movement from behind with any late chargers.  Typically, there are a couple of hot teams that budge their way into this area (think Kansas State last year) and bump a few Mid-Majors into the 8-9 games against the underachieving High-Majors.  Ultimately, the committee is going to have to compare a bunch of 10 and 11 loss High-Majors vs some 6 and 7 loss Mid-Majors.

The PAC-12 Debacle
Forget any East Coast bias, the PAC-12 has stunk this year.  Their non-conference performance was beyond brutal.  California should have the only legitimate at-large shot and even that will be iffy depending on when they would lose in the PAC-12 tourney.  That said, the conference tournament should be wide-open from here on out, and I could see Cal, Washington, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, UCLA or Stanford winning it.  Seriously.  These teams can lose to anyone on a given day, and none is particularly hot right now.

Bubble-Mania
I challenge the following teams to improve their resume and show why they deserve to be in the tournament ahead of Iona, Drexel and Oral Roberts (and Nevada if the Wolfpack would fall to a good New Mexico State team)...South Florida, Texas, Northwestern, Miami, Xavier, Mississippi State, Tennessee, NC State, Mississippi, St. Joseph's, Dayton and to some extent, St. Louis, Southern Mississippi and Colorado State.

Streaming Bracket Thoughts
The last two #4 seeds are giving me some headaches, so hopefully some clarity will come the next 3 days.  I think I will end up with Murray State on the 5-line if Nashville is a viable destination.  If the committee sends them to Portland I would be shocked.  Despite RPI and SOS, doesn't St. Mary's deserve to be ahead of (even with) Gonzaga after winning both the regular season and post-season WCC titles?  Teams I am most likely mis-seeding...St. Louis, Cincinnati, California and Southern Miss. 

That's all for now.  Merry Christmas in March everyone!!

NCAA Field of 68 - March 8, 2012 Edition

  • Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Kansas and North Carolina
  • I have done my best to balance the Top 4 in each region and consider distance.  This is not easy, as the West can not always get the 4th team on a line.
  • Last 6 In - BYU, Xavier, Northwestern, South Florida, Iona, and Tennessee (none are locked in)
  • Next 6 (no order) - Texas, Miami, Seton Hall, Oregon, St. Joseph's, Mississippi
  • One First Four game moved to 11 line to accomodate travel, Northwestern, California and BYU moved to 12 line, but ahead of these teams in my S-curve
Midwest Regional
Omaha
(1)  Kansas (16) Texas-Arlington
(8)  GONZAGA vs (9) Virginia
Albuquerque
(5)  Louisville vs (12) California
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13)  Long Beach State
Columbus
(6)  Florida vs (11) VCU
(3)  Marquette vs (14)  DAVIDSON
Columbus
(7)  CREIGHTON vs (10)  Colorado State
(2)  Michigan State vs (15)  LEHIGH

South Regional
Louisville
(1)  Kentucky vs (16)  Mississippi Valley State/Stony Brook
(8)  Memphis vs (9)  Connecticut
Portland
(5)  UNLV vs (12) Northwestern
(4)  Temple vs (13)  SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
Nashville
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11)  Mississippi State
(3)  Michigan vs (14)  Akron
Greensboro
(7)  Kansas State vs (10) HARVARD
(2)  Duke vs (15) LONG ISLAND

West Regional
Greensboro
(1)  North Carolina vs (16)  WESTERN KENTUCKY/UNC-ASHEVILLE
(8)  Alabama vs (9)  Cincinnati
Nashville
(5)  WICHITA STATE vs (12)  IONA/Tennessee
(4)  Georgetown vs (13)  Washington
Albuquerque
(6)  San Diego State vs (11)  St. Louis
(3)  Baylor vs (14)  MONTANA
Pittsburgh
(7)  ST. MARY'S  vs (10)  West Virginia
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  LOYOLA-MARYLAND

East Regional
Pittsburgh
(1)  Syracuse vs (16)  Norfolk State
(8)  Iowa State vs (9)  Purdue
Portland
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  BYU
(4)  Vanderbilt vs (13)  Nevada
Louisville
(6)  MURRAY STATE vs (11)  South Florida/Xavier
(3)  Indiana vs (14)  BELMONT
Omaha
(7)  New Mexico vs (10)  Southern Miss
(2)  Missouri vs (15)  DETROIT

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

NCAA Field of 68 - March 7, 2012 Edition

  • Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Kansas and North Carolina
  • I have done my best to balance the Top 4 in each region and consider distance.  This is not easy, as the West can not always get the 4th team on a line.
  • Last 5 In - BYU, Xavier, Northwestern, Iona, and Tennessee
  • Next 6 (no order) - Texas, Miami, Seton Hall, Oregon, St. Joseph's, Mississippi
  • One First Four game moved to 11 line to accomodate travel, Northwestern and BYU moved to 12 line, but ahead of these teams in my S-curve
Midwest Regional
Omaha
(1)  Kansas (16) Texas-Arlington
(8)  GONZAGA vs (9) Virginia
Albuquerque
(5)  Louisville vs (12) VCU
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13)  Long Beach State
Columbus
(6)  Florida vs (11) California
(3)  Marquette vs (14)  DAVIDSON
Columbus
(7)  CREIGHTON vs (10)  Colorado State
(2)  Michigan State vs (15)  Bucknell

South Regional
Louisville
(1)  Kentucky vs (16)  Mississippi Valley State/Stony Brook
(8)  Memphis vs (9)  Connecticut
Portland
(5)  UNLV vs (12) Northwestern
(4)  Temple vs (13)  SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
Nashville
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11)  Mississippi State
(3)  Michigan vs (14)  LOYOLA-MARYLAND
Greensboro
(7)  Kansas State vs (10) Harvard
(2)  Duke vs (15) Long Island

West Regional
Greensboro
(1)  North Carolina vs (16)  WESTERN KENTUCKY/Savannah State
(8)  Alabama vs (9)  West Virginia
Nashville
(5)  WICHITA STATE vs (12)  IONA/Tennessee
(4)  Georgetown vs (13)  Washington
Albuquerque
(6)  San Diego State vs (11)  St. Louis
(3)  Baylor vs (14)  Akron
Pittsburgh
(7)  ST. MARY'S  vs (10)  Cincinnati
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  DETROIT

East Regional
Pittsburgh
(1)  Syracuse vs (16)  UNC-ASHEVILLE
(8)  Iowa State vs (9)  Purdue
Portland
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  BYU
(4)  Vanderbilt vs (13)  Nevada
Louisville
(6)  MURRAY STATE vs (11)  Seton Hall/Xavier
(3)  Indiana vs (14)  BELMONT
Omaha
(7)  New Mexico vs (10)  Southern Miss
(2)  Missouri vs (15)  Montana

NCAA Field of 68 - March 6, 2012 Edition

  • Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Kansas and North Carolina
  • I have done my best to balance the Top 4 in each region and consider distance.  This is not easy, as the West can not always get the 4th team on a line.
  • Last 5 In - BYU, Xavier, Northwestern, Iona, and Tennessee
  • Next 6 (no order) - Texas, Miami, Seton Hall, Oregon, St. Joseph's, Mississippi
  • One First Four game moved to 11 line to accomodate travel, Northwestern and BYU moved to 12 line, but ahead of these teams in my S-curve
Midwest Regional
Omaha
(1)  Kansas (16) Texas-Arlington
(8)  GONZAGA vs (9) Virginia
Albuquerque
(5)  Louisville vs (12) VCU
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13)  Long Beach State
Columbus
(6)  Florida vs (11) California
(3)  Marquette vs (14)  DAVIDSON
Columbus
(7)  CREIGHTON vs (10)  Colorado State
(2)  Michigan State vs (15)  Bucknell

South Regional
Louisville
(1)  Kentucky vs (16)  Mississippi Valley State/Stony Brook
(8)  Memphis vs (9)  Connecticut
Portland
(5)  UNLV vs (12) Northwestern
(4)  Temple vs (13)  South Dakota State
Nashville
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11)  Mississippi State
(3)  Michigan vs (14)  LOYOLA-MARYLAND
Greensboro
(7)  Kansas State vs (10) Harvard
(2)  Duke vs (15) Long Island

West Regional
Greensboro
(1)  North Carolina vs (16)  North Texas/Savannah State
(8)  Alabama vs (9)  St. Louis
Nashville
(5)  WICHITA STATE vs (12)  IONA/Tennessee
(4)  Georgetown vs (13)  Washington
Albuquerque
(6)  San Diego State vs (11)  Southern Miss
(3)  Baylor vs (14)  Akron
Pittsburgh
(7)  ST. MARY'S  vs (10)  Cincinnati
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  Detroit

East Regional
Pittsburgh
(1)  Syracuse vs (16)  UNC-ASHEVILLE
(8)  Iowa State vs (9)  Purdue
Portland
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  BYU
(4)  Vanderbilt vs (13)  Nevada
Louisville
(6)  MURRAY STATE vs (11)  South Florida/Xavier
(3)  Indiana vs (14)  BELMONT
Omaha
(7)  New Mexico vs (10)  West Virginia
(2)  Missouri vs (15)  Montana

Monday, March 5, 2012

Breaking Down the Field - March 5, 2012

With one week to go, some teams are playing for seed, while other are trying to add to their resumes in hopes of making the field.  Here is a lock/bubble breakdown as I have it, with a little additional bubble analysis.

LOCKS (55)

ACC(4) - North Carolina, Duke, Florida State, Virginia
Big East(5) - Syracuse, Marquette, Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame
Big 12(5) - Kansas, Missouri, Baylor, Kansas State, Iowa State
Big 10(6) - Ohio State, Michigan State, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue
SEC(4) - Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida, Alabama
Mountain West(3) - UNLV, San Diego State, Wyoming
Atlantic 10(2) - Temple, St. Louis
Missouri Valley(2) - Creighton, Wichita State
West Coast(2) - Gonzaga, St. Mary's
Conference USA(1) - Memphis
Ohio Valley(1) - Murray State
Atlantic Sun(1) - Belmont
Big South (1) - UNC-Asheville
Colonial (1) - VCU
Metro Atlantic (1) - Loyola-Maryland
Southern (1) - Davidson
Other Automatic Bids (15) - PAC-12, WAC, Ivy League, Horizon, Summit, Mid-American, Sun Belt, Patriot, Big West, Big Sky, Northeast, Southland, America East, MEAC, SWAC

That leaves 13 bids.  Connecticut is probably safe, but beating DePaul on Tuesday would take any doubt I have away.  If the Huskies win, they would face West Virginia in the 2nd round.  I also believe the Mountaineers are safe, but again, an extra win never hurts.  Cincinnati finally has a palatable RPI, but the non-conference schedule does not go away.  They have to wait two days for a probable match-up with Georgetown.  A win over the Hoyas will for sure do it, although I think they are fine as well.

That leaves 10 bids, with a few teams closer to those bids than others. 

Southern Mississippi (22-7, RPI 17) is a bit of a lightning rod, but with 3 Top 50 wins and 9 Top 100 wins, the Golden Eagles are likely part of the field.  They also own a road win against Colorado State and home wins against South Florida and Mississippi, all teams on the bubble.  That said, beating Rice/East Carolina and avoiding a 4th 100+ loss would remove any doubt.

Colorado State (18-10, RPI 22) is the epitome of the "Homecourt Hero", but when three of those are against UNLV, New Mexico and San Diego State, you can't argue with some of the quality.  The Rams are 8-9 against the RPI top 100 and have just one bad loss.  My research indicated 6 road/neutral wins was suggested, so a win over TCU would take care of that and likely salt away a bid.

California (23-8, RPI 37) is in a bit of a precarious position.  The loss at Stanford denied the Golden Bears a share of the PAC-12 title, so a loss in the PAC-12 tournament would leave Cal without either a regular-season or post-season title in a likely max 2-bid league.  While Cal sits with 2 Top 50 wins today, they have 0 Top 49 wins.  If Oregon falls one spot, that number changes.  The 7 top 100 wins stack up well with some of the others, but the lack of a big win could spell doom come Sunday if the Golden Bears need an at-large berth.

BYU (23-8, RPI 44) is sitting and waiting and hoping they are not forgotten.  They have 3 Top 50 wins, including their one big win at home vs Gonzaga.  The other two are Nevada(46) and Oregon(50) and BYU sits at 5-6 vs the Top 100, so the resume isn't sparkling.  The worry for BYU should be a shrinking bubble and wins by their fellow bubble partners.

Iona (25-7, RPI 43) needs to overcome the stigma of the Metro Atlantic Conference, a conference that has never received multiple bids.  The Gaels have just one top 50 win over Nevada(46) and 5 Top 100 wins.  In their defense, it only took them 2 games to have 1 top 50 win, while Northwestern has had 11 chances, South Florida 10, Mississippi and Washington 7 and they each only have 1 Top 50 win as well.  The 5 Top 100 wins currently exceeds that of Texas(4), Washington(4) and Miami(3) and matches that of Creighton, Iowa State, BYU, Northwestern and Oregon.  I guess what I am saying, is they should not automatically be dismissed.

Mississippi State (21-10, RPI 63) hopes a 2-game winning streak to finish the season will erase the lingering doubts precipitated by a 5-game losing streak.  The RPI is shaky, but the Rebels have 3 top 50 wins and are 8-8 vs the Top 100.  They have a good non-conference win against West Virginia and a key road win at Vandy.  Despite that, a loss to Georgia in the SEC first round will send the RPI lower and put them in great danger.

Tennessee (17-13, RPI 75) has won 8 of 9 and owns victories over Vanderbilt, Connecticut and a sweep of Florida.  The RPI is still too low, so the Vols need to do some damage in the SEC tournament.  Potential games against Mississippi and then either Vanderbilt or Mississippi State provide UT with the opportunities.  I think two wins gets it done for the Vols.

Mississippi (18-12, RPI 58) is the forgotten team in the SEC.  They have the same problem as others, with a 1-6 record vs the RPI top 50, but their 7 top 100 wins exceed many of their counterparts.  They own victories over Alabama, as well as fellow bubble squads Mississippi State and Miami.  They start with Auburn in the SEC tournament, with Tennessee waiting.  Winning the first two will get them more in the discussion, but a run to the SEC Championship game is probably needed.

South Florida (18-12, RPI 45) hopes a 12-6 Big East record is at least in the minds of the committee.  Wins over Seton Hall, Cincinnati and at Louisville give them quality wins, but is there enough?  The 6 seed in the Big East tournament does not initially help, as a game vs Rutgers/Villanova is only a losing proposition.  The Bulls might need a quarterfinal win over Notre Dame depending on what happens around them.

Seton Hall (19-11, RPI 60) just lost to DePaul by 28.  They have a respectable 4 top 50 wins, including one over Georgetown and are 7-8 vs the Top 100.  They are just 4-9 in their last 13, and while the committee does not look at that, they are human.  Providence is first up on Tuesday, followed by an opportunity to play their way in against Louisville.  Based upon Saturday, the Pirates will not even be playing by Wednesday.

Xavier (19-11, RPI 57) has had a tale of two seasons.  A hot start included wins over Purdue, Cincinnati and at Vanderbilt.  Then the brawl came and the rest of the season has been average at best.  The committee will give some consideration to their 0-3 record during the suspensions, but how much nobody knows.  A win over Dayton/George Washington should be enough, but a loss in the quarterfinal might send them to the NIT.

Northwestern (18-12, RPI 48) is a committee nightmare.  A top SOS, no bad losses, but only one big win at home vs Michigan State.  With just 5 RPI top 100 wins, the Wildcats are on shaky ground.  They get Minnesota first on Thursday, which would add a Top 100 win.  They would then get Michigan, who they played tough in two losses earlier in the year.  They need two wins to feel safe with everything else going on around them.

Texas (19-12, RPI 52) has 3 RPI top 50 wins (Temple, Iowa State and Kansas State0 but only 4 top 100 wins, putting them on shaky footing despite a strong SOS.  They get Iowa State and then likely Missouri, a chance to get to 6 top 100 wins if they can get to the Big 12 Final.

Miami (18-11, RPI 54) has two big wins (at Duke, vs Florida State), but just 3 total against the Top 100.  Throw in a 5-8 Road/Neutral record and things don't look good for the Hurricanes.  They start with Georgia Tech and have Florida State waiting in Round 2.  Duke is the Round 3 possibility.  I think the Hurricanes need to run all the way to the ACC final to solidify a bid.

Washington (21-9, RPI 53) has the PAC-12 regular season title and that's about it.  Currently 1 Top 50 win (Oregon(50)) and 4 Top 100 wins lends to a pretty weak at-large resume.  A semifinal win over Arizona would add one more good win, but my suggestion for all PAC-12 teams would be to win the tournament.  That includes Oregon (22-8, RPI 50), who can add 2 top 100 wins if it makes the final, but would have to be chosen over the regular season champion to get a berth.

St. Joseph's (19-12, RPI 55) has wins over Creighton, Temple and Drexel amongst its 6 top 100 wins.  A win over St. Bonaventure may get them another one, but I think they need to also beat Temple in the A-10 semis to play their way into the field.

If NC State beats Virginia and North Carolina, they re-enter the discussion.  Dayton needs a run to the A-10 finals to gain any consideration.  Drexel is likely done, especially in comparisons to Iona and Oral Roberts.

NCAA Field of 68 - March 5, 2012 Edition

  • Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, Kansas and North Carolina
  • I have done my best to balance the Top 4 in each region and consider distance.  This is not easy, as the West can not always get the 4th team on a line.
  • Last 5 In - BYU, Xavier, Northwestern, Iona, and Tennessee
  • Next 6 (no order) - Texas, Miami, Seton Hall, Oregon, St. Joseph's, Mississippi
  • One week to go and to say the bottom of the bracket is unsettled is an understatment.  First, prohibitive favorites Iona and Middle Tennessee lost in their conference tournaments.  Second, the bubble teams continue to do little to separate themsleves, leading to an interesting conference tournament week.  I have left Iona in as of today, but with other teams having the chance to surpass them this week, their stay might be short-lived.
  • One First Four game moved to 11 line to accomodate travel, Northwestern and BYU moved to 12 line, but ahead of these teams in my S-curve
Midwest Regional
Omaha
(1)  Kansas (16) Texas-Arlington
(8)  St. Mary's vs (9) Virginia
Albuquerque
(5)  Louisville vs (12) Washington
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13)  Oral Roberts
Columbus
(6)  Florida vs (11) California
(3)  Marquette vs (14)  Davidson
Columbus
(7)  Creighton vs (10)  Colorado State
(2)  Michigan State vs (15)  Bucknell

South Regional
Louisville
(1)  Kentucky vs (16)  Mississippi Valley State/UNC-Asheville
(8)  Memphis vs (9)  Connecticut
Portland
(5)  UNLV vs (12) Northwestern
(4)  Temple vs (13)  Long Beach State
Nashville
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11)  Mississippi State
(3)  Michigan vs (14)  Akron
Greensboro
(7)  Kansas State vs (10) Harvard
(2)  Duke vs (15) Fairfield

West Regional
Greensboro
(1)  North Carolina vs (16)  Stony Brook/Savannah State
(8)  Alabama vs (9)  St. Louis
Nashville
(5)  Wichita State vs (12)  Iona/Tennessee
(4)  Georgetown vs (13)  VCU
Albuquerque
(6)  San Diego State vs (11)  Southern Miss
(3)  Baylor vs (14)  Denver
Pittsburgh
(7)  Gonzaga  vs (10)  Cincinnati
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  Detroit

East Regional
Pittsburgh
(1)  Syracuse vs (16)  Long Island
(8)  Iowa State vs (9)  Purdue
Portland
(5)  Florida State vs (12)  BYU
(4)  Vanderbilt vs (13)  Nevada
Louisville
(6)  Murray State vs (11)  South Florida/Xavier
(3)  Indiana vs (14)  Belmont
Omaha
(7)  New Mexico vs (10)  West Virginia
(2)  Missouri vs (15)  Montana

Sunday, March 4, 2012

NCAA Field of 68 - March 4, 2012 Edition

  • Kentucky overall #1, followed by Syracuse, North Carolina and Kansas
  • I have done my best to balance the Top 4 in each region and consider distance.  This is not easy, as the West can not always get the 4th team on a line.
  • Last 5 In - BYU, Xavier, Northwestern, Miami, and Tennessee
  • Next 5 - Texas, Seton Hall, Oregon, St. Joseph's, Arizona
  • Interesting bubble race between Texas, Northwestern, Miami, Xavier, and South Florida.  All teams with similar RPI's, and similarly poor Top 50 and Top 100 records.  None can afford a first round exit in their conference tourney.  I added Tennessee today, at least they are beating people (although they need to win at least one more, but so does everyone I just mentioned).  These teams are also all huge Creighton fans today.
  • One First Four game moved to 11 line to accomodate travel, South Florida and BYU moved to 12 line, but ahead of these teams in my S-curve
West Regional
Omaha
(1)  Kansas (16) Texas-Arlington
(8)  Purdue vs (9) California
Portland
(5)  UNLV vs (12) South Florida
(4)  Florida vs (13)  Long Beach State
Louisville
(6)  Murray State vs (11) Xavier/Miami
(3)  Marquette vs (14)  Davidson
Columbus
(7)  Gonzaga vs (10)  Harvard
(2)  Michigan State vs (15)  Bucknell

Midwest Regional
Louisville
(1)  Kentucky vs (16)  Mississippi Valley State/UNC-Asheville
(8)  Kansas State vs (9)  Connecticut
Portland
(5)  Florida State vs (12) Iona
(4)  Temple vs (13)  Middle Tennessee
Columbus
(6)  Louisville vs (11)  Southern Miss
(3)  Indiana vs (14)  Belmont
Omaha
(7)  New Mexico vs (10) Cincinnati
(2)  Missouri vs (15) Montana

South Regional
Greensboro
(1)  North Carolina vs (16)  Stony Brook/Savannah State
(8)  Alabama vs (9)  St. Mary's
Nashville
(5)  Wichita State vs (12)  Northwestern/Tennessee
(4)  Georgetown vs (13)  VCU
Albuquerque
(6)  San Diego State vs (11)  St. Louis
(3)  Baylor vs (14)  Nevada
Louisville
(7)  Memphis  vs (10)  West Virginia
(2)  Ohio State vs (15)  Detroit

East Regional
Pittsburgh
(1)  Syracuse vs (16)  Long Island
(8)  Iowa State vs (9)  Virginia
Albuquerque
(5)  Vanderbilt vs (12)  BYU
(4)  Wisconsin vs (13)  Washington
Nashville
(6)  Notre Dame vs (11)  Mississippi State
(3)  Michigan vs (14)  Oral Roberts
Greensboro
(7)  Creighton vs (10)  Colorado State
(2)  Duke vs (15)  Akron

Friday, March 2, 2012

Bid Stealers and Other Nuggets

Conference tournament play is underway and the first bids will be awarded tomorrow.  We have spent the past few months/weeks playing ping pong with the final at-large teams in the field and analyzing the bubble ad nauseum.  This is the week where those bubble teams start to worry that the bid stealers will be out in full force and lower the number of spots available for the final at-large teams.  Are there really that many bid-stealers out there this year?  Is this the year the bubble remains intact?  Here are the possibilities for bubble shrinkage.
  • Ohio Valley Conference - Murray State will be in the Field of 68 even if they lose in the OVC Tourney.  They deserve it this year and are simply playing for seed.  All bubble teams are huge Racer fans today and tomorrow.
  • Missouri Valley Conference - Wichita State and Creighton have locked themselves into the field.  That leaves some danger for a bid stealer, a concept the Missouri Valley has been no stranger to over the years.  Watch out for Evansville, Northern Iowa, Illinois State and Missouri State (does anyone remember when they were Southwest Missouri State??).
  • Conference USA - Memphis and Southern Miss have arguably inflated RPI's, but both appear safe as Selection Sunday approaches.  Would it be a surprise if UCF, Tulsa, Marshall or even UAB won the C-USA Tourney over these two?  Not at all.  The committee says they award bids to teams and not leagues, so 3 from this desperately mediocre conference is not out of the question, especially if the two so-called locks make at least the semis.
  • West Coast Conference - This one teeters on how safe BYU really is, if at all.  This is one where if Loyola Marymount or less likely San Francisco shocked the conference and took the automatic bid, I would guess BYU should start looking into hosting NIT games.
  • Mountain West Conference - I am starting to get into longshots for bid stealing now.  This would require both a good performance from Colorado State, but ultimately Wyoming or TCU would have to win the tournament.  Plus UNLV plays this one at home, so are any of these teams really going to get through a UNLV/New Mexico/San Diego State gauntlet?  This is really only a bid stealer if you feel Colorado State is not in.
  • Ivy League - Could Harvard make it with 5 losses?  They have a pretty clean profile, including more Top 100 wins than usual.  They would be in the discussion at a minimum.
  • Atlantic 10 - Conventional wisdom says at least 3 teams will get in from the A-10, but if a school other than Temple or St. Louis wins the tourney, that will be almost a certainty.
  • Sun Belt and Colonial - Middle Tennesse, Drexel and VCU all have had very good seasons and currently sit at 5 or 6 losses.  All three lack the number of Top 50 and 100 wins typical of an at-large team.  Some will argue their inclusion over a 13 loss UConn.  Unless the committee changes their philosophy, I suggest all 3 win their Conference Tourney (and I know only two can).
A few other thoughts.
  • Is Tennessee this years USC, a team not on the radar until the last week?  If Tennessee beats Vanderbilt at home this weekend and follows up with another quality win in the SEC tournament, their profile will be worth considering.  They currently sit at 80 in the RPI, but that number would be sure to rise in this scenario, just how far I don't know.  Vandy would be a 4th Top 50 win, joining two over Florida and one over Connecticut.  The SEC tournament win would need to be at least a top 100 win, either say one of the Mississippi schools or even better, Alabama.  This all goes out the window with a loss to Vandy, but keep an eye on this one.
  • The Big Ten is not guaranteed a 1-seed.  I keep hearing the committee will reward the #1 conference with a 1-seed.  The committee looks at teams, not conferences.  If Kansas and either Duke or North Carolina wins out, I think the Big Ten will be off the 1-line.  My opinion, but there is nothing saying a team from the #1 RPI conference has to be a 1 seed.  Its #1 because of its depth and they just happened to beat each other up this year.

2011-12 NCAA Tournament Tracker (in progress)

Here is one of many tools I will use to track the world of College Basketball in their four month pursuit of the Field of 68.  This one is simple.  I have listed out roughly 100 teams that right now I see having a shot at an at-large berth or having a resume that would consider them a quality win.  This schedule will list out the wins against teams that are also on this schedule, which should equate closely to Top 100 RPI wins.  It is simply a way to assess quality wins.  I will also note whether the game was at home (H), away (A) or neutral (N).  The tracker will be flexible with additions and subtractions for surprise over and under achievers.  Please note:  The second record shown is only against teams on this list.

Remaining This Week/Next Week (26)
Friday(1):  Akron at Kent State
Saturday(18):  West Virginia at South Florida, St. Louis at Duquesne, Pittsburgh at Connecticut, Oklahoma State at Kansas State, Washington at UCLA, St. Bonaventure at LaSalle, Georgetown at Marquette, Cincinnati at Villanova, Southern Miss at Marshall, Northwestern at Iowa, Colorado at Oregon State, Alabama at Mississippi, Louisville at Syracuse, Arkansas at Mississippi State, North Carolina at Duke, Baylor at Iowa State, Texas at Kansas, Wyoming at UNLV
Sunday(7):  Kentucky at Florida, Illinois at Wisconsin, Virginia at Maryland, Ohio State at Michigan State, California at Stanford, Purdue at Indiana, NC State at Virginia Tech
Plus Conference Tourney action this week and next week

ACC (8)
North Carolina (26-4, 13-4) - Michigan State(N), Wisconsin(H), Long Beach State(H), Texas(H), Miami, FL(H), Virginia Tech(A), NC State(H), Maryland(A), Virginia(H), Miami, FL(A), NC State(A), Virginia(A), Maryland(H)
Duke (26-4, 15-4) - Belmont(H), Michigan State(N), Davidson(H), Michigan(N), Kansas(N), Washington(N), Colorado State(H), Virginia(H), Maryland(A), Virginia Tech(A), North Carolina(A), Maryland(H), NC State(H), Florida State(A), Virginia Tech(H)
Virginia (21-8, 9-6) - Michigan(H), Drexel(N), George Mason(H), Oregon(A), LSU(A), Miami, FL(H), NC State(A), Maryland (H), Virginia Tech(A)
Florida State (20-9, 11-6) - Central Florida(H), Massachusetts(N), Virginia Tech(A), North Carolina(H), Maryland(H), Duke(A), Virginia(H), Miami, FL(H), Virginia Tech(H), NC State(A), Virginia(A)

Virginia Tech (15-15, 4-12) - Oklahoma State(N), St. Bonaventure(H), Oklahoma State(A), Virginia(A)
North Carolina State (19-11, 5-9) - Texas(N), St. Bonaventure(A), Maryland(H), Miami, FL(A), Miami, FL(H)
Maryland (16-13, 4-12) - Notre Dame(H), Colorado(A), Virginia Tech(H), Miami, FL(H)

Miami (17-11, 5-11) - Massachusetts(H), Maryland(H), Duke(A), Virginia Tech(H), Florida State(H)

Big 12 (8)
Baylor (25-5, 14-5) - San Diego State(H), Northwestern(A), BYU(A), St. Mary's(N), West Virginia(N), Mississippi State(N), Kansas State(A), Oklahoma State(H), Oklahoma(A), Texas(H), Oklahoma State(A), Iowa State(H), Texas(A), Oklahoma(H)

Missouri (26-4, 14-4) - Notre Dame (N), California(N), Villanova(N), Illinois(H), Oklahoma(H), Iowa State(A), Texas(H), Baylor(A), Texas(A), Kansas(H), Oklahoma(A), Baylor(H), Oklahoma State(H), Iowa State(H)
Kansas (25-5, 16-5) - Georgetown(N), UCLA(N), Long Beach State(H), South Florida(H), Ohio State(H), Kansas State(H), Oklahoma(A), Iowa State(H), Baylor(H), Texas(A), Oklahoma(H), Baylor(A), Oklahoma State(H), Kansas State(A), Missouri(H), Oklahoma State(A)
Texas (19-11, 7-11) - UCLA(A), Temple(H), Oklahoma State(H), Iowa State(H), Kansas State(H), Oklahoma(A), Oklahoma(H)
Kansas State (20-9, 8-9) - Virginia Tech(A), Alabama(H), Long Beach State(N), Missouri(H), Texas(H), Oklahoma State(H), Baylor(A), Missouri(A)

Oklahoma (14-15, 5-13) - Oral Roberts(H), Arkansas(H), Kansas State(H), Kansas State(A), Oklahoma State(H)
Iowa State (21-9, 8-8) - Texas(H), Iowa(H), Oklahoma State(H), Kansas(H), Kansas State(H), Oklahoma(A), Oklahoma(H), Kansas State(A)
Oklahoma State (14-16, 5-15) - Missouri State(A), Oklahoma(H), Missouri(H), Iowa State(H), Texas(H)

Big East (12)
Syracuse (29-1, 17-1) - Stanford(N), Virginia Tech(N), Florida(H), Bucknell(H), Marshall(H), NC State(A), Seton Hall(H), Marquette(H), Villanova(A), Pittsburgh(H), Cincinnati(A), West Virginia(H), Georgetown(H), Connecticut(H), Louisville(A), South Florida(H), Connecticut(A)
Connecticut (17-12, 9-9) - Florida State(N), Wagner(H), Arkansas(H), Harvard(H), West Virginia(H), South Florida(A), Notre Dame(A), Seton Hall(H), Villanova(A)
Marquette (24-6, 12-6) - Mississippi(N), Wisconsin(A), Washington(N), Villanova(H), Pittsburgh(H), Louisville(H), South Florida(H), Villanova(A), Seton Hall(H), Cincinnati(H), Connecticut(A), West Virginia(A)

Georgetown (22-6, 9-6) - Memphis(N), Alabama(A), Memphis(H), Louisville(A), Marquette(H), Connecticut(H), South Florida(H), Villanova(H), Notre Dame(H)
West Virginia (18-12, 10-11) - Akron(H), Oral Roberts(H), Kansas State(A), Miami,FL(H), Missouri State(N), Villanova(H), Georgetown(H), Marshall(H), Cincinnati(H), Pittsburgh(A)
Seton Hall (19-10, 7-9) - VCU(H), St. Joseph's(A), Dayton(A), West Virginia(H), Connecticut(H), Pittsburgh(H), Georgetown(H)

Louisville (22-8, 10-7) - Long Beach State(H), Vanderbilt(H), Ohio(H), Memphis(H), Pittsburgh(A), Villanova(H), Seton Hall(A), Connecticut(H), West Virginia(A), Pittsburgh(H)
Cincinnati (21-9, 9-6) - Oklahoma(H), Pittsburgh(A), Notre Dame(H), Georgetown(A), Villanova(H), Connecticut(A), Seton Hall(H), Louisville(H), Marquette(H)
Notre Dame (20-10, 10-7) - South Florida(H), Pittsburgh(H), Louisville(A), Syracuse(H), Seton Hall(A), Connecticut(A), Marquette(H), West Virginia(A), Villanova(A), West Virginia(H)
Pittsburgh (16-14, 6-12) - Oklahoma State(N), Duquesne(N), LaSalle(H), Georgetown(H), West Virginia(A), Villanova(H)

Villanova (12-17, 2-16) - LaSalle(H), Seton Hall(H)
South Florida (19-11, 8-8) - Cleveland State(H), Seton Hall(H), Villanova(A), Pittsburgh(H), Villanova(H), Pittsburgh(A), Cincinnati(H), Louisville(A)

Big Ten (10)
Ohio State (24-6, 11-6) - Florida(H), Duke(H), Northwestern(H), Iowa(A), Indiana(H), Michigan(H), Wisconsin(A), Purdue(H), Minnesota(A), Illinois(H), Northwestern(A)
Michigan State (24-6, 12-6) - Florida State(H), Gonzaga(A), Indiana(H), Wisconsin(A), Iowa(H), Purdue(H), Minnesota(H), Michigan(H), Ohio State(A), Wisconsin(H), Purdue(A), Minnesota(A)

Indiana (23-7, 11-6) - NC State(A), Kentucky(H), Notre Dame(A), Ohio State(H), Michigan(H), Iowa(H), Purdue(A), Illinois(H), Northwestern(H), Minnesota(A), Michigan State(H)
llinois (17-13, 8-11) - Maryland(A), Gonzaga(H), St. Bonaventure(H), Minnesota(H), Northwestern(A), Ohio State(H), Michigan State(H), Iowa(H)
Wisconsin (22-8, 9-8) - BYU(N), UNLV(H), Purdue(A), Northwestern(H), Illinois(A), Indiana(H), Minnesota(A), Ohio State(A), Minnesota(H)
Purdue (20-10, 11-8) - Iona(N), Temple(N), MiamiFL(H), Illinois(H), Iowa(A), Minnesota(A), Iowa(H), Northwestern(A), Northwestern(H), Illinois(A), Michigan(A)

Michigan (22-8, 13-8) - Memphis(N), UCLA(N), Iowa State(H), Minnesota(H), Wisconsin(H), Northwestern(H), Michigan State(H), Purdue(A), Indiana(H), Illinois(H), Ohio State(H), Northwestern(A), Illinois(A)
Northwestern (17-12, 6-12) - LSU(H), Seton Hall(A), Michigan State(H), Illinois(A), Iowa(H), Minnesota(H)
Minnesota (17-13, 6-13) - South Dakota State(H), Bucknell(H), Virginia Tech(H), Indiana(A), Northwestern(H), Illinois(H)

Iowa (16-14, 6-10) - Wisconsin(A), Minnesota(A), Michigan(H), Minnesota(H), Indiana(H), Wisconsin(H)

SEC (8)
Kentucky (29-1, 11-1) - Kansas(N), North Carolina(H), Louisville(H), Arkansas(H), Alabama(H), LSU(A), Florida(H), Vanderbilt(A), Mississippi(H), Mississippi State(A), Vanderbilt(H)
Vanderbilt (21-9, 11-8) - Oregon(H), NC State(N), Bucknell(H), Davidson(A), Oregon State(N), Marquette(A), Alabama(A), Middle Tennessee(H), LSU(H), Mississippi(A), Florida(H)
Florida (22-8, 8-4) - Arizona(H), Florida State(H), LSU(H), Mississippi(A), Mississippi State(H), Vanderbilt(H), Alabama(A), Arkansas(A)
Alabama (20-9, 10-8) - Maryland(N), Wichita State(N), Purdue(N), VCU(H), Oklahoma State(H), LSU(H), Arkansas(H), Mississippi(H), Arkansas(A), Mississippi State(H)
Mississippi State (20-10, 6-8) - Arizona(N), West Virginia(H), Alabama(H), Vanderbilt(A), LSU(H), Mississippi(H)
Mississippi (17-12, 5-10) - MiamiFL(H), Arkansas(H), Mississippi State(H), LSU(H), Arkansas(A)

LSU (17-12, 5-9) - Marquette(H), Mississippi(H), Arkansas(H), Alabama(H), Mississippi State(H)
Arkansas (18-12, 5-9) - Charlotte(H), Mississippi State(H), LSU(H), Michigan(H), Vanderbilt(H)

PAC-12 (8)
California (23-7, 10-6) - Denver(H), Weber State(H), UCLA(H), Oregon(A), Colorado(H), Washington(A), Stanford(H), UCLA(A), Oregon(H), Oregon State(H)
Stanford (19-10, 8-7) - Oklahoma State(N), NC State(H), Colorado State(H), UCLA(H), Oregon State(A), Colorado(H), Oregon State(H), Colorado(A)
Arizona (21-9, 7-9) - New Mexico State(A), Duquesne(H), Oregon State(H), California(A), Stanford(A), Colorado(H), UCLA(H)

Washington (21-8, 7-8) - Oregon State(H), Oregon(H), Stanford(H), Arizona(A), UCLA(H), Oregon State(A), Arizona(H)
Oregon (21-8, 7-8) - Stanford(H), Arizona(A), UCLA(H), Washington(H), Stanford(A), Oregon State(A), Colorado(H)

UCLA (17-13, 3-11) - Arizona(H), Colorado(H), Stanford(H)
Colorado (19-10, 5-10) - Washington(H), Arizona(H), Oregon State(H), Oregon(H), California(H)
Oregon State (16-13, 4-9) - Texas(N), California(H), UCLA(H), Oregon(A)


Atlantic 10 (9)
Xavier (18-11, 7-10) - Vanderbilt(A), Purdue(H), Cincinnati(H), St. Bonaventure(H), Duquesne(H), St. Joseph's(H), Dayton(H)
Temple (23-6, 13-4) - Wichita State(N), Buffalo(H), Villanova(H), Duke(H), St. Louis(A), LaSalle(H), Maryland(H), St. Joseph's(H), Xavier(H), St. Bonaventure(A), Duquesne(H), LaSalle(A), Massachusetts(H)
St. Louis (23-6, 10-4) - Washington(H), Villanova(N), Oklahoma(N), Xavier(A), Duquesne(H), St. Bonaventure(H), Dayton(H), St. Joseph's(A), LaSalle(A)
Dayton (18-11, 9-8) - Minnesota(N), Alabama(H), Mississippi(H), St. Louis(H), LaSalle(H), Temple(A), Xavier(H), Duquesne(A), Massachusetts(H)

St. Joseph's (19-12, 8-8) - Creighton(H), Drexel(H), Villanova(H), Duquesne(A), Dayton(H), LaSalle(H), Massachusetts(H), Temple(H)
Massachusetts (19-10, 5-8) - Davidson(H), St. Joseph's(H), St. Louis(H), St. Bonaventure(H), Xavier(H)
LaSalle (19-11, 5-7) - Bucknell(H), Xavier(H), Duquesne(A), Massachusetts(H), Massachusetts(A)
St. Bonaventure (17-10, 4-9) - Buffalo(A), Dayton(H), Duquesne(H), St. Joseph's(H)

Duquesne (16-13, 5-9) - Akron(N), Massachusetts(H), Dayton(A), St. Bonaventure(H), George Mason(A)

Colonial (3)
VCU (25-6, 4-4) - Akron(A), South Florida(H), Northern Iowa(H), George Mason(H)
George Mason (23-8, 2-4) - Bucknell(H), VCU(H)

Drexel (25-5, 3-2) - VCU(H), George Mason(H), Cleveland State(A)

Conference USA (4)
Memphis (22-8, 7-7) - Belmont(H), Miami, FL(A), Southern Miss(H), Marshall(H), Xavier(H), Marshall(A), Central Florida(H)
Marshall (17-12, 4-9) - Cincinnati(A), Iona(H), Belmont(H), Central Florida(H)
Central Florida (20-9, 3-6) - Connecticut(N), Memphis(H), Marshall(H)

Southern Miss (24-6, 9-3) - New Mexico State(H), New Mexico State(A), South Florida(H), Colorado State(A), Mississippi(H), Marshall(H), Central Florida(A), Memphis(H), Central Florida(H)

WCC (3)
Gonzaga (24-5, 6-4) - Notre Dame(H), Oral Roberts(H), Arizona(H), Xavier(A), St. Mary's(H), BYU(H)
St. Mary's (25-5, 6-4) - Northern Iowa(H), Weber State(H), Missouri State(N), BYU(H), Gonzaga(H), BYU(A)

BYU (24-7, 6-5) - Oregon(H), Buffalo(H), Nevada(N), Weber State(H), Virginia Tech(A), Gonzaga(H)

Missouri Valley (4)
Creighton (25-5, 7-4) - San Diego State(A), Iowa(H), Northwestern(H), Wichita State(A), Northern Iowa(H), Missouri State(A), Long Beach State(H)
Northern Iowa (19-12, 5-7) - Iowa(H), Iowa State(A), Colorado State(H), Missouri State(H), Creighton(H)

Wichita State (26-4, 8-3) - Colorado(A), UNLV(H), Northern Iowa(A), Missouri State(A), Northern Iowa(H), Creighton(A), Missouri State(H), Davidson(A)
Missouri State (16-15, 3-9) - Nevada(A), Creighton(A), Northern Iowa(H)

Mountain West (5)
UNLV (24-7, 7-6)North Carolina(N), Nevada(H), Illinois(A), California(H), New Mexico(H), Colorado State(H), San Diego State(H)
San Diego State (23-6, 8-5)Long Beach State(H), Arizona(A), California(H), UNLV(H), New Mexico(A), Wyoming(A), Wyoming(H), Colorado State(H)

New Mexico (23-6, 9-4) - Missouri State(H), Oklahoma State(A), New Mexico State(A), St. Louis(H), Wyoming(A), Colorado State(H), Wyoming(H), San Diego State(A), UNLV(H)
Colorado State (18-10, 6-8) - Colorado(H), Denver(H), San Diego State(H), Wyoming(H), New Mexico(H), UNLV(H)
Wyoming (20-9, 3-5) - Colorado State(H), Colorado(A), UNLV(H)

MAC (4)
Akron (20-10, 4-9) - Mississippi State(A), Marshall(A), Ohio(H), Kent State(H)
Kent State (20-9, 3-4) - West Virginia(A), Buffalo(H), Ohio(H)

Ohio (23-7, 6-3) - Marshall(A), Northern Iowa(A), Buffalo(H), Kent State(H), Buffalo(A), Akron(H)
Buffalo (18-9, 4-6) - Dayton(A), Akron(H), Kent State(H), Akron(A)

Sun Belt (2)
Middle Tennesee (25-5, 4-3) - UCLA(A), Akron(H), Belmont(H), Mississippi(H)
Denver (21-8, 4-3) - St. Mary's(H), Southern Miss(H), Wyoming(H), Middle Tennessee(H)

WAC (2)
Nevada (24-5, 3-4) - Washington(H), New Mexico State(A), New Mexico State(H)
New Mexico State (22-9, 1-6) - New Mexico(A)

Summit (2)
Oral Roberts (26-5, 4-4) - Missouri State(H), South Dakota State(H), Xavier(A), Akron(H)
South Dakota State (24-7, 2-2) - Washington(A), Oral Roberts(H)

Other Quality Teams (10)
Harvard (24-4, 3-1) - Florida State(N), Central Florida(N), St. Joseph's(H)

Murray State (28-1, 4-0) - Dayton(H), Memphis(A), Southern Miss(H), St. Mary's(H)
Iona (24-6, 4-2) - Maryland(N), St. Joseph's(A), Denver(A), Nevada(H)
Long Beach State (22-7, 2-6) - Pittsburgh(A), Xavier(N)
Belmont (24-7, 2-4) - Middle Tennessee(A), Marshall(H)
Weber State (23-5, 0-3)
Wagner (25-5, 1-1) - Pittsburgh(A)
Davidson (22-7, 1-4) - Kansas(A)
Bucknell (23-8, 0-5) -
Cleveland State (22-9, 4-2) - Vanderbilt(A), St. Bonaventure(H), Kent State(A), Akron(H)