For many teams, this Championship Week is going to make or break their season. These teams have had a solid season, but just haven't put together a resume they can feel confident about. However, a couple wins in their conference tournament could stick to the selection committee's short term memory, and perhaps push them into the field of 65. For the next couple of days, I'm going to do my own little bubble watch and tell you what teams need to do to get in.
ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Locked In: North Carolina, Dook, Clemson
Bubble Teams:
Miami (FL) (20-8, 8-7 ACC, 24 RPI, 29 SOS)
Quality Wins: Dook, Clemson, @Mississippi State
Bad Losses: Winthrop, @Boston College
Verdict: Strong computer numbers and some big wins have Miami one win away from being locked up. That win could come tomorrow at Florida State. The surprise team of the year in the ACC, Miami has picked up some very nice wins behind transfer PG Jack McClinton. I personally think they are a better team then Clemson, and have a better chance of doing damage in the Big Dance.
As of 3/7: Almost a lock
Virginia Tech (18-11, 9-6 ACC, 59 RPI, 55 SOS)
Top 3 Wins: @Maryland, Maryland, Florida St.
Bad Losses: @Penn State, @Old Dominion, @Richmond
Verdict: Virginia Tech finishes up its regular season with a tough game at home versus Clemson. A win there would put them 3rd in the ACC standings, above the Tigers. That should get them in, although picking up another win in the ACC tournament would only help. There isn't anything to work from in the non-conference schedule, so this game against Clemson is huge. A loss here and you're looking at a team that may need to pick up an upset in the ACC semis. However, if other teams continue to play themselves out of the field, Va. Tech could still get in due to a strong conference finish.
As of 3/7: In the field of 65
Maryland (18-12, 8-7 ACC, 65 RPI, 14 SOS)
Top 3 Wins: @North Carolina, Florida State, @Georgia Tech
Bad Losses: Boston College, Missouri, American
Verdict: Maryland has played themselves into a hole and now has a resume that screams NIT. They may need a run to the ACC Tournament finals in order to earn themselves an at-large bid. Outside of the North Carolina win, the Terps have nothing to build on. They have some pretty bad non-conference losses, including Ohio to go with the two above. If they lose the finale to Virginia, the Conference Championship auto-bid will probably become the necessity.
As of 3/7: A longshot to get in
Out to play some pool, I'll probably get another conference in tonight.
ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference)
Locked In: North Carolina, Dook, Clemson
Bubble Teams:
Miami (FL) (20-8, 8-7 ACC, 24 RPI, 29 SOS)
Quality Wins: Dook, Clemson, @Mississippi State
Bad Losses: Winthrop, @Boston College
Verdict: Strong computer numbers and some big wins have Miami one win away from being locked up. That win could come tomorrow at Florida State. The surprise team of the year in the ACC, Miami has picked up some very nice wins behind transfer PG Jack McClinton. I personally think they are a better team then Clemson, and have a better chance of doing damage in the Big Dance.
As of 3/7: Almost a lock
Virginia Tech (18-11, 9-6 ACC, 59 RPI, 55 SOS)
Top 3 Wins: @Maryland, Maryland, Florida St.
Bad Losses: @Penn State, @Old Dominion, @Richmond
Verdict: Virginia Tech finishes up its regular season with a tough game at home versus Clemson. A win there would put them 3rd in the ACC standings, above the Tigers. That should get them in, although picking up another win in the ACC tournament would only help. There isn't anything to work from in the non-conference schedule, so this game against Clemson is huge. A loss here and you're looking at a team that may need to pick up an upset in the ACC semis. However, if other teams continue to play themselves out of the field, Va. Tech could still get in due to a strong conference finish.
As of 3/7: In the field of 65
Maryland (18-12, 8-7 ACC, 65 RPI, 14 SOS)
Top 3 Wins: @North Carolina, Florida State, @Georgia Tech
Bad Losses: Boston College, Missouri, American
Verdict: Maryland has played themselves into a hole and now has a resume that screams NIT. They may need a run to the ACC Tournament finals in order to earn themselves an at-large bid. Outside of the North Carolina win, the Terps have nothing to build on. They have some pretty bad non-conference losses, including Ohio to go with the two above. If they lose the finale to Virginia, the Conference Championship auto-bid will probably become the necessity.
As of 3/7: A longshot to get in
Out to play some pool, I'll probably get another conference in tonight.
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