The Dreaded Bubble, Part II

In: Creighton

Southern Illinois just does not have a strong enough RPI or collection of wins to make the tournament without winning the automatic bid. Creighton's RPI hovers right around the usual cut-off at #42. Should someone else win the conference tournament, these is a chance that Creighton could receive an at-large bid. If your team is on the bubble, root for Creighton to win the Missouri Valley tournament.

Mountain West

In: Utah, BYU

Bubble: Wyoming, UNLV

Utah and BYU both have RPIs in the top twenty, and since the conference tournament will involve both of them, plus UNLV (#42) and Wyoming (#54), those RPIs are unlikely to go down by much. UNLV has a borderline RPI and only quality wins against DePaul and BYU. A good tournament run might push them in. Wyoming still has an outside shot.

Northeast

In: Wagner

The automatic bid will be the only bid.

Ohio Valley

In: Morehead State

The winner of the conference tournament will be the only team to go, probably Morehead State or Austin Peay.

PAC-10

In: Arizona, Stanford, California

Bubble: Oregon, Arizona State

With Arizona State's RPI of #30 and Oregon's RPI of #36, the five teams listed above are most likely all going to go to the tournament. However, Oregon finishes with a cluster of road games and Arizona State plays Arizona, Stanford, California, and Oregon in four of its last five games. Either team could knock itself out with poor performances at the end of the year. Arizona (#8), Stanford (#19), and California (#26) are all in.

Patriot

In: Holy Cross

Only one team will go, and the smart money is on Holy Cross.

SEC

In: Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State

Bubble: Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU

At least two of the bubble teams will go from this deep conference. Tennessee (#33) and Auburn (#31) both have RPIs similar to Maryland (#32) and are the most likely two to go, although Auburn has not beaten a single team that is likely to go to the tournament. Alabama has an RPI of #27, but has lost all five road games in the SEC and had two road wins (Oklahoma and Ohio State) come on neutral, rather than away courts. With a good finish, Alabama may go as well, giving the SEC a total of seven bids. The conference tournament will raise everybody's RPI as all these teams face-off.

Southern

In: College of Charleston

Only one team will go, likely either College of Charleston or Chattanooga.

Southland

In: Sam Houston State

Only the automatic bid winner will

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