Colonial
In: UNC-Wilmington
Only the conference winner, likely UNC-Wilmington, will go.
Conference USA
In: Louisville, Marquette
Bubble: Cincinnati, Memphis, DePaul
Louisville and Marquette are clear locks, with both having RPIs among the top ten. Cincinnati's fate will be decided shortly, during the Bearcats remaining regular season games against Memphis, Marquette, and Louisville. Standing #22 in the RPI with quality wins over Oklahoma State and Oregon, Cincinnati would normally be in good shape. Most of its losses have also been to quality teams (Louisville, Marquette, Xavier, Dayton, DePaul). However, the selection committee never looks kindly on finishing the season with a cluster of losses, and losing those remaining three quality games would put Cincinnati below the touted .500 conference mark. The bottom line is that a couple of quality wins make Cincy a lock. A couple of losses and an early conference tournament exit send them to the NIT. Memphis stands #40 in the RPI ranking, and helped itself with its win over Louisville. A win against Cincy would probably clinch a spot in the big dance. DePaul's RPI of #35 certainly merits consideration. Conference USA is the strongest it has been in, well, ever. Expect four teams to join March Madness, possibly even five if bubble teams in other conferences falter.
Horizon
In: Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Bubble: Butler
There is a very slight possibility that two teams from the Horizon Conference could make the tournament. Whichever team, Butler or Wisconsin-Milwaukee, fails to win the conference tournament will be amongst the bubble teams. Butler makes a slightly better case, standing at #44 in the RPI. In all likelihood, only one team goes.
Ivy
In: Penn
With no conference tournament, the regular season leader receives the automatic bid. Penn will receive the bid.
MEAC
In: South Carolina State
One team, likely South Carolina State, will go to the NCAA tournament with the automatic bid.
Metro Atlantic
In: Manhattan
The automatic bid will be the only bid.
Mid-American
In: Kent State
Kent State started the year strong, but with an RPI of #57 and the RPI dragging Mid-American tournament ahead, the Flashes must win their conference tournament to earn another trip to the NCAAs. Given their performance last year, it does not seem fair that failing to gain the automatic bid would eliminate Kent State, but the world is not always fair.
Mid Continent
In: Valparaiso
With its RPI of #86, Valparaiso is only in with the automatic bid.
