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DEL.ICIO.USTony Barnhart’s daily picks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After Tony’s update, log your own opinion in our daily blog.
WHO’S IN
• Belmont (A-Sun), Winthrop (Big South), VCU (Colonial), Penn (Ivy), Niagara (MAAC), Creighton (Missouri Valley), Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley), Davidson (Southern), Gonzaga (West Coast), Wright State (Horizon), Oral Roberts (Mid-Continent), North Texas (Sun Belt).
WHO’S OUT
• Arkansas (18-12, RPI 49): Wright State (23-9, RPI 72) earned the automatic bid from the Horizon by upsetting Butler (25-6, RPI 31) in Tuesday night’s championship game. Butler, which has wins over NCAA-bound Notre Dame, Indiana, Tennessee, Purdue, Wright State, and Gonzaga will get an at-large bid. Arkansas could play its way back into the field with a good performance in the SEC Tournament.
WHO GETS IN WEDNESDAY
• Big Sky Championship: Weber State (16-11, RPI 151) vs. Northern Arizona (16-11, RPI 148): Winner gets automatic bid. No at-large bids.
• Northeast Championship: Central Connecticut State (21-11, RPI 153) vs. Sacred Heart (18-13, RPI 149): Winner gets automatic bid. No at-large bids.
IN, BUT NERVOUS
• Clemson (20-10, RPI 34): Tigers can’t lose to Florida State in first round of ACC Tournament.
• Drexel (22-8, RPI 39): Best road record (13-5) in the field but lost in Colonial semifinals.
• Missouri State (21-10, RPI 38): If Missouri Valley only gets two bids, Bears could be odd man out.
• Old Dominion (24-8, RPI 40): Monarchs had won 12 straight before losing to George Mason in Colonial semifinals.
• Purdue (20-10, RPI 46): Boilermakers have wins over Michigan State, Indiana, and Virginia. Can’t slip up against Iowa.
• Syracuse (21-9, RPI 51): Orange cannot lose to Connecticut today in first round of Big East tournament.
• Southern Cal (21-10, RPI 53): Trojans should beat Stanford in first round of Pac-10 Tournament.
WHO GETS IN WEDNESDAY
• Big Sky Championship: Weber State (16-11, RPI 151) vs. Northern Arizona (16-11, RPI 148): Winner gets automatic bid. No at-large bids.
• Northeast Championship: Central Connecticut State (21-11, RPI 153) vs. Sacred Heart (18-13, RPI 149): Winner gets automatic bid. No at-large bids.
RIGHT ON THE BUBBLE
These guys can see the glass slipper, but right now it doesn’t fit:
• Alabama (20-10, RPI 45)
• Arkansas (18-12, RPI 49)
• Bradley (20-12, RPI 44)
• Florida State (19-11, RPI 47)
• Illinois (21-10, RPI 35)
• Kansas State (21-10, RPI 60)
• Michigan (20-11, RPI 52)
• San Diego State (19-9, RPI 54)
• Stanford (18-11, RPI 56)
• UMass (23-7, RPI 55)
• West Virginia (20-8, RPI 57)
TOP 65 BY REGIONS
*=Already earned automatic bid. Other conference winners are projected.
• EAST REGIONAL, EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
1: Ohio State (Big Ten champ)
2: Georgetown (Big East champ)
3: Tennessee (SEC at-large)
4: Texas (Big 12 at-large)
5: Arizona (Pac: 10 at-large)
6: Virginia Tech (ACC at-large)
7: Creighton* (Missouri Valley champ)
8: Boston College (ACC at-large)
9: Syracuse (Big East champ)
10: BYU (Mountain West at-large)
11: Old Dominion (Colonial at-large)
12: Davidson* (Southern champ)
13: Holy Cross/Bucknell winner (Patriot)
14: Vermont/Albany winner (America East)
15: Oral Roberts* (Mid-Continent champs)
16: Niagara* (Metro Atlantic Champ)
• SOUTH REGIONAL, SAN ANTONIO
1: Florida (SEC champ)
2: Texas A&M (Big 12 at-large)
3: Maryland (ACC at-large)
4: Washington State (Pac: 10 at-large)
5: Louisville (Big East at-large)
6: UNLV (Mountain West champ)
7: Notre Dame (Big East at-large)
8: Indiana (Big Ten at-large)
9: Xavier (A: 10 champ)
10: Oregon (Pac-10 at-large)
11: Winthrop* (Big South champ)
12: Clemson (ACC at-large)
13: Drexel (Colonial at-large)
14: TAMU: CC (Southland champ)
15: Delaware State (MEAC champ)
16: North Texas* (Sun Belt champ)
• MIDWEST REGIONAL, ST. LOUIS
1: Kansas (Big 12 champ)
2: North Carolina (ACC champ)
3: Pittsburgh (Big East at-large)
4: Southern Illinois (Missouri Valley at-large)
5: Virginia (ACC at-large)
6: Butler (Horizon at-large)
7: Michigan State (Big Ten at-large)
8: Kentucky (SEC at-large)
9: Air Force (Mountain West at-large)
10: Southern Cal (Pac: 10 at-large)
11: VCU* (Colonial champ)
12: Purdue (Big Ten at-large)
13: Missouri State (Missouri Valley at-large)
14: Toledo (Mid-America champ)
15: Eastern Kentucky* (Ohio Valley champ)
16: Mississippi Valley (SWAC) vs. Weber State/Northern Arizona winner (Big Sky) (Play-in game)
• WEST REGIONAL, SAN JOSE
1: UCLA (PAC: 10 champ)
2: Wisconsin (Big Ten at-large)
3: Memphis (Conference USA champ)
4: Marquette (Big East at-large)
5: Duke (ACC at-large)
6: Villanova (Big East at-large)
7: Vanderbilt (SEC at-large)
8: Nevada (WAC champ)
9: Texas Tech (Big 12 at-large)
10: Georgia Tech (ACC at-large)
11: Wright State* (Horizon champ)
12: Gonzaga* (West Coast champ)
13: Long Beach State (Big West champ)
14: Penn* (Ivy League champs)
15: Belmont* (Atlantic Sun champ)
16: Central Connecticut/Sacred Heart winner (Northeast champ)
TOP 65 BY CONFERENCE
We project that 21 of the 31 conferences will receive only one bid. The other 44 spots in the NCAA field will be divided among the 10 remaining conferences as follows:
• ACC (8) Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech.
Tournament: March 8-11, Tampa.
• Big East (7): Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Marquette, Syracuse, Villanova.
Tournament: March 7-10, New York.
• Big Ten (5): Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, Wisconsin. Tournament: March 8-11, Chicago
• Big 12 (4): Kansas, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech.
Tournament: March 8-11, Oklahoma City.
• Colonial (3): Drexel, Old Dominion, VCU*
Tournament: VCU beat George Mason for championship.
• Horizon (2): Wright State*, Butler.
Tournament: Wright State beat Butler for championship.
• Missouri Valley (3): Creighton*, Missouri State, Southern Illinois.
Tournament: Creighton beat Southern Illinois for championship.
• Mountain West (3): Air Force, BYU, UNLV
Tournament: March 8-10, Las Vegas.
• PAC: 10 (5): Arizona, Oregon, Southern Cal, UCLA, Washington State.
Tournament: March 7-10, Los Angeles.
• SEC (4): Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt.
Tournament: March 8-11, Atlanta.
• How do you see it?
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment | Categories: Tony Barnhart's daily picks
Comments
By JustMe
March 7, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
I just do not see how a team with an overall record of 20-10 and an RPI of 34 in the #1 toughest conference NOT get into the NCAA?!?!?!?! Would someone please explain that one to me?
Clemson should be in and it shouldn’t matter whether they beat FSU in the first round of the ACC tournament or not!
By gtfan4life
March 7, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
Actually Clemson’s record is 21-9 and all 9 of those losses came in conference play. They did not finish the season very strong losing 7 out of their last 10, even though they got screwed at Duke, but who doesn’t at some point. The only non-conference wins on their resume that hold any weight are @Old Dominion and maybe vs. Georgia, so the bulk of their “quality” wins came in conference play @Va Tech, vs. Ga Tech, and vs. BC. Clemson definitely has the upper hand on FSU right now, since they swept them in the regular season. With that said, I still believe since Clemson finished the season poorly they must beat FSU again in order to get in the NCAA tourney.
By Jon
March 7, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
I’ll explain it to you, JustMe. Clemson’s RPI is that high because they play in the toughest conference. What are the Tigers’ biggest wins this year? Old Dominion, Boston College, and Virginia Tech? That isn’t going to get it done, dude.
The Tigers will need to beat FSU to have a chance and will have to beat UNC to lock up a bid to the dance. Sorry, but if you’re one and out in the ACC tourney, you’ll be in the NIT.
By JustMe
March 7, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
Jon and others….
You must compare apples to apples. It is unfair for you to say that one team’s “only” good wins are against top 25 teams; then compare that to a team in the NCAA as an at-large that has NO wins against top 25 teams.
If you use the RPI, then use the RPI. If you use the win/loss record, then use the win/loss record. If you use wins against the top teams, then use the wins against top teams.
ANY team with an RPI that high and with Clemson’s record should be a lock in the NCAA. And please, don’t say that the RPI is ONLY that high due to the ACC conference. Otherwise, wouldn’t Wake Forest have a good RPI?????
Again, compare apples to apples.
By clemsonblows
March 7, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
what happened to Clemsons huge win streak?? Did they win a game after that? I guess thats what happens when you start playing real teams.
By Eli
March 7, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
Can someone please explain to me how Kentucky is considered an 8-seed when they haven’t beaten a ranked opponent all year? Talk about getting in based purely on past performance…they’re terrible! Teams like Kentucky have no business being handed a bid to the tournament, much less a seeding as high as this. They’ve been swept by Vandy for two years straight, and they haven’t beaten Florida since the late 90s (or so it seems, anway). The Mildcats will be a first-weekend casualty.
By Cam
March 7, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
Clemson’s record is 21-9 (7-9) not 20-10. Just a correction. Thanks for the info.
By dbo
March 7, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
I don’t agree with the Kentucky seed either. I would swap GT and Kentucky’s seeding. Tech is better than a 10 seed by far. They are deserving of a 7 or 6 in my honest opinion. Maybe higher with a solid ACCT run. As for Kentucky, they will be bounced in first or second round. I like Tubby personally, but his a$$ is scalding hot right now.
By preston
March 7, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
Did yall hear what the guy on espn said? He said that Tech needs to win 2-3 games in the acc tourny to be a lock for the ncaa tourny, because of the fact that butler lost to wright state, and will steal our bid. Is that a buch of crap or what?
By preston
March 7, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
I AM SOOOOOOO SICK OF THIS MID-MAJOR CRAP!!! GEORGE MASON WAS A FLUKE!!!!!! Tech, who was 8-8 in the TOUGHEST CONFRENCE IN THE CONFERENCE I THE COUNTRY, should automatically deserve a better bid than a team called Butler! Who in the crap is Butler?
By preston
March 7, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
I AM SOOOOOOO SICK OF THIS MID-MAJOR CRAP!!! GEORGE MASON WAS A FLUKE!!!!!! Tech, who was 8-8 in the TOUGHEST CONFRENCE IN THE CONFERENCE I THE COUNTRY, should automatically deserve a better bid than a team called Butler! Who in the crap is Butler?
By preston
March 7, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this
I AM SOOOOOOO SICK OF THIS MID-MAJOR CRAP!!! GEORGE MASON WAS A FLUKE!!!!!! Tech, who was 8-8 in the TOUGHEST CONFRENCE IN THE CONFERENCE I THE COUNTRY, should automatically deserve a better bid than a team called Butler! Who in the crap is Butler? Butler, or Georgia Tech, take your pick!
By preston
March 7, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
Sorry,I din’t mean to post it so many times, my bad.
Go Jackets!!!!!
By gtforever
March 7, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this
Clemson SUXS!
By Crittenton + Young = Win
March 7, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
How is Duke a lock for an NCAA bid and GT is not? We have a higher seed in the conference tourney and have a more impressive out of conference record. I’m tired of this bubble non-sense.
By GTFanSinceBirth
March 7, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
Clemsons strength of schedule = 50th Georgia Tech’s = 25th There’s the difference. Clemson sucks and their fans are a bunch of hyped up red-necks. (Kinda reminds me of Georgia)
By TechRox
March 7, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
Eli, u suck. And the Jackets Rock! Lookin at the bracket right now, Tech will win two games, Wake then Va Tech, and make it to the Acc Finals. I see a 7 seed and some damage all the way to the Sweet 16 for Hewitts boyz this year. I love Ann Coulter!
By acc fan for life GT'98
March 7, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
Don’t let SEC biased Tony blowhart get you down. How does he bust us 2 seeds on his own seeding chart after Butler shows they can’t even di it in the Mid Minors. If UK is a higher seed, I’d love to see them and show them how the ACC plays hoops. On the buble or a 10 seed with RPI 34, 8 top 50 RPI wins and 3 top 15 AP wins. His precious Butler or UK can’t come close to those numbers. He’s still sandbagging the ACC which is what is supposed to happen at the AJC (save Winklejohn). REmember this is the guy who would not rank Tech in Football int he top 40 next year. Keep talking Tony, you look more and more like the biased writer you are. Get ready to watch Tech rip some wins off to start climbing in the seedings before Sunday.
Still have seen nothing about UGA or UGA fans saying we suck after the UNC win. Only the leader of the pack writing the column and he still has to succumb to the fact that Tech is in!
And Clemson fans, ask your coach to schedule someone other than UGA out of conference. If the tigers want todance they need to not start the season in January. 14 straight wins against nobody = NIT!
Go Jackets!! I want to see Maryland or UNC Sunday!
By JustMe
March 8, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
You guys miss my point entirely! I am not a Clemson fan. I am a fan of fairness!
Clemson in the ACC is getting hosed when you look at the many other at-large teams with worse records, worse RPI, playing in lesser leagues.
The ACC should be getting 9 teams in the dance, if you compare apples to apples.
By B Ball Fan
March 8, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
Ga Tech is in. They will be seeded between 6-9 depoending on what they do in the ACC tourney. They are still a young team, depending on matchups they can get to the sweet 16 which I deem as a solid year.Coach Hewitt will get one more year out of Javaris and Young, he better get the guys to get better around those two players. Lawal from Norcross is going to make them better. I think losing Lewis Clinch was a bigger loss than people are talking about, that guy can light it up hopefully he will be back next year.
By JustMe
March 8, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
Bubble Team Compairsons….
Clemson: 21-9. RPI = 36. Saragin = 25. Wins against GA Tech, Boston College, UGA, and ODU.
Drexel: 23-8. RPI = 46. Saragin = 72. Wins against Villanova, Syracuse. Losses against ODU twice!
Missouri State: 22-10. RPI = 38. Saragin = 27. Losses to Saint Louis, Evansville, and Winthrop.
Purdue: 20-10. RPI = 45. Saragin = 34. Loss to GA Tech. Win against UVA.
Illinois: 21-10. RPI = 35. Saragin = 45. Losses to Maryland, Purdue.
How could the committee or even the AJC project for at-large births for Drexel, Missouri State, Purdue, and Illinois to be in the NCAA, and leave Clemson out?
Someone please tell me!!!!! Are they going to short-change the ACC again this year?