Bubble Wrap 3/09/06

This is one of the most active days for bubble teams. We will continue to update results for every bubble team from every conference tournament as the day progresses. Be sure to check Bubbleteams.com for updated scores, conference tournament brackets and NCAA Tournament bracket projections.

Syracuse: What does an upset of the number 1 team in the country and the top seed in the Big East Tournament get you ?? How about an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Orangemen played their last two games like they want to be invited to the Big Dance and despite a lackluster finish to their regular season; two solid wins in the Big East Tournament should propel them into the NCAA Tournament. The bigger question is.... who do the Orangemen replace ???

George Washington: No, GW is NOT a bubble team, but their loss to Temple in the Atlantic Ten quarterfinals means two teams will be going to the NCAA Tournament from the A-10 and that means one less at-large bid out there for all those hopeful bubble teams. The sense of urgency must be immediate for many at-large teams and now is NOT the time to come out in your conference tournament and play flat.

UAB: The Blazers did what they needed to do today, beat SMU. Now UAB needs to take down the UTEP Miners and make the Conference USA finals. Given the happenings across the college basketball world, UAB needs to take care of business and not give the NCAA Selection Committee a reason to dent them a bid.

Florida State: The Seminoles do not appear to want to make the NCAA Tournament. How else do you explain an opening round loss to the last place team in the ACC after knowing so many other teams have made inroads towards an at-large bid. Florida State might still make it, but only because so many other teams have failed to seal the deal and win the games they needed to make the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan: Add Michigan to the ever-expanding list of bubble teams who have come out and played like an at-large bid is not in their interest. The Wolverines dropped their opening round game of the Big Ten Tournament to a Minnesota squad that the Wolverines dominated in two meetings this year. Michigan is in greater trouble than many other bubble teams because they have lost seven of their last nine games and finished just 8-8 in the Big ten and 18-10 overall.

Colorado: The Buffaloes almost became another bubble casualty, narrowly avoiding an upset to Baylor. Colorado now faces Texas A&M in what might be an elimination game for an at-large bid.

Kentucky: No one will be impressed by the Wildcats win against Mississippi, but at least Kentucky did not lose (like so many other bubble teams). Now Kentucky faces Alabama in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. Both teams are felt to be safe for an at-large bid, but with all the happenings across the country, a victory would certainly make either team feel a little safer.

Arizona: The Wildcats won their opening round game without the services of Hassan Adams. Arizona is a safe bet to make the NCAA Tournament, even if they should lose their semifinal game.

Air Force: The Falcons lose in the Mountain West quarterfinals..... again. Air Force entered the Mountain West Championship looking for their first ever tournament win. They exited, yet again, with another loss. This loss will cost the Falcons any further consideration for an at-large bid. A 24-6 record and a second place finish in the Mountain West is a nice season for Air Force, but not enough for a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

California: The Bears did not solidify an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament with their win against USC. They did avoid taking a bad loss, which would have probably dropped them from consideration for a bid. California would likely lock up a bid with one more win in the semifinals.

Arkansas: We can finally drop the Razorbacks from the list of "bubble" teams. Arkansas has done everything it can to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Razorbacks can even afford to lose tomorrow and not affect their seeding.

Maryland: The Terrapins are trying to make a late season surge towards the at-large spot Florida State gave away. Maryland needs more than just a win against Boston College to grab an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. If the Terrapins win their next two games, then they would deserve a position in the NCAA Tournament; otherwise, Maryland is just teasing their fans with a few late season wins.