Blowing Bubbles

Check out updated conference tournament brackets and projections at Bubbleteams.com

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More than a few teams saw a change of fortune on Sunday. We will offer timely updates and projections as Sunday's action progresses.

Indiana: Many dropped Indiana from the bubble after their recent string of five straight losses (in fact the Hoosiers had lost six of seven before their win at home against Penn State). The Hoosiers and Mike Davis rebounded from adversity, winning their last two games and setting themselves up nicely for a possible at-large bid. Indiana has a marginal overall record, 15-10 and a spotty RPI (#49 before their win against Michigan State) that should improve. What sets the Hoosiers aside from other bubble teams is their four wins against teams from the top 25 RPI (defeating Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Illinois) and a .500 record in the #1 RPI conference in the NCAA. Indiana needs to win at least one of their remaining two games (at Purdue and at Michigan) and avoid losing their opening round game in the Big ten Tournament. Should Mike Davis and Indiana accomplish both feats, Indiana should have enough of a resume to warrant an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.


Minnesota: The Gophers loss to Wisconsin drops Minnesota to 5-9 in the Big Ten and just 14-11 overall. With a weak RPI of 67 and a lack of a solid at-large resume, tis' time to put the dreams of a bubble bid to bed for the Gophers this year. Enjoy the NIT boys.

Alabama: The Crimson Tide have extinguished any uncertainty about their deserving an at-large bid with yet another win against a top 25 team. Alabama has a solid 9-5 record in the SEC West and with games against Auburn and Mississippi State remaining, the Tide appear to be cinch to grab an at-large berth in this year's tournament.

Maryland: The Terrapins continue to slide towards an NIT bid, suffering their seventh loss in their last nine games. Maryland now stands 6-8 in the ACC and with just 2 wins against the top 50 RPI, Maryland team will fail to make the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season, unless they would somehow catch fire and inexplicably win the ACC Tournament.

California: The Bears split their weekend series in the state of Washington, still facing the prospect of needing at least one win in their final two home games against USC and UCLA. While California has a weak RPI, they still own an 11-5 conference record. As long as the Bears split their last two games, they would finish 12-6 in the Pac Ten Conference. While a weak RPI and few solid wins hurt the Bears chances of an at-large bid, the NCAA Selection Committee has historically rewarded teams from power conferences with solid conference records like the Bears currently own.