Potential number one seeds and Teams on the NCAA "Bubble"
Brian Bresnahan
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Sports
Syracuse
The Orange have taken the country by storm. As of Monday they were ranked number one in the AP poll for the first time in 26 years. Their 15-2 conference record is good for best in the Big East. Even if 'Cuse slips up in the conference tournament they're status is unlikely to change.
Duke
Winners of their last eight, the Blue Devils have fought their way to an ACC to a crown. After several disappointing seasons, Duke appears to be back on the championship track. Senior guard Jon Scheyer leads the team with 18.2 points per game. In his four years as a Duke player, Scheyer has never had a final four berth.
Kentucky
John Calapari's Wildcats, led by freshman guard John Wall, dominated conference play, boasting a 12-2 record in the SEC. Prior to losing to Tennessee, Kentucky had rattled off 8 wins in a row. At 27-2, Kentucky could find themselves in a lighter bracket if they can finish strong against conference foes Georgia and Florida.
Kansas
Led by senior guard Sharron Collins the Kansas Jayhawks appeared to be on path for the top seed, until a loss at Oklahoma State knocked the Jayhawks from their number one spot in the polls. Despite their recent struggles, Kansas is still a top four team in the country.
Connecticut
The Huskies are 17-13. They are 7-10 in the Big East. They are a team that can compete with anyone in the nation, as they have proven. Their inconsistency is abysmal and they lack shooters on the wings. They have three very good wins this year and one of the nation's most dynamic backcourts. If they make a run in the Big East Tournament and they are in.
Florida
After falling to conference rival Vanderbilt on its home floor Tuesday night, the Gators are once again playing with fire. A win over a top 20 opponent would have nearly assured Billy Donovan's troops a ticket to the dance. Florida is relying heavily on a win against Michigan State earlier in the year as their marquee victory. However, the Gators boast a .500 record against the RPI's top 50, at 5-5. As of today, the gators are headed to the big dance.
Illinois
Bruce Webber's Illini may have the best chance to get their bubble bursted. At 18-12 overall and 10-7 in Big Ten play, Illinois has only a 4-8 record against top 50 RPI teams. There are simply not enough resume builders in their schedule to put them in over most other bubble teams. They need a victory in front of the Illini faithful against #17 Wisconsin on Saturday or they are headed for the NIT Tournament.
Mississippi
It is tough to get a clear read on a team like Mississippi. They go to Manhattan in late November and beat Kansas State by 12 and a week later get manhandled by Villanova. They are 7-7 in SEC play but six of those seven wins are against the bottom five of the conference. They failed to pick up a signature win in conference play and that may cost them. The conference tournament seems the only hope for the Rebels.
The Orange have taken the country by storm. As of Monday they were ranked number one in the AP poll for the first time in 26 years. Their 15-2 conference record is good for best in the Big East. Even if 'Cuse slips up in the conference tournament they're status is unlikely to change.
Duke
Winners of their last eight, the Blue Devils have fought their way to an ACC to a crown. After several disappointing seasons, Duke appears to be back on the championship track. Senior guard Jon Scheyer leads the team with 18.2 points per game. In his four years as a Duke player, Scheyer has never had a final four berth.
Kentucky
John Calapari's Wildcats, led by freshman guard John Wall, dominated conference play, boasting a 12-2 record in the SEC. Prior to losing to Tennessee, Kentucky had rattled off 8 wins in a row. At 27-2, Kentucky could find themselves in a lighter bracket if they can finish strong against conference foes Georgia and Florida.
Kansas
Led by senior guard Sharron Collins the Kansas Jayhawks appeared to be on path for the top seed, until a loss at Oklahoma State knocked the Jayhawks from their number one spot in the polls. Despite their recent struggles, Kansas is still a top four team in the country.
Connecticut
The Huskies are 17-13. They are 7-10 in the Big East. They are a team that can compete with anyone in the nation, as they have proven. Their inconsistency is abysmal and they lack shooters on the wings. They have three very good wins this year and one of the nation's most dynamic backcourts. If they make a run in the Big East Tournament and they are in.
Florida
After falling to conference rival Vanderbilt on its home floor Tuesday night, the Gators are once again playing with fire. A win over a top 20 opponent would have nearly assured Billy Donovan's troops a ticket to the dance. Florida is relying heavily on a win against Michigan State earlier in the year as their marquee victory. However, the Gators boast a .500 record against the RPI's top 50, at 5-5. As of today, the gators are headed to the big dance.
Illinois
Bruce Webber's Illini may have the best chance to get their bubble bursted. At 18-12 overall and 10-7 in Big Ten play, Illinois has only a 4-8 record against top 50 RPI teams. There are simply not enough resume builders in their schedule to put them in over most other bubble teams. They need a victory in front of the Illini faithful against #17 Wisconsin on Saturday or they are headed for the NIT Tournament.
Mississippi
It is tough to get a clear read on a team like Mississippi. They go to Manhattan in late November and beat Kansas State by 12 and a week later get manhandled by Villanova. They are 7-7 in SEC play but six of those seven wins are against the bottom five of the conference. They failed to pick up a signature win in conference play and that may cost them. The conference tournament seems the only hope for the Rebels.
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