Hoyas Making A Move

ACC (6)
In: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, North Carolina, Virginia Tech
Worth a Mention: Maryland, Miami

Notes: North Carolina and Duke are the only teams that are secure. Clemson, which has won four of its last five, sneaks in this week. The Tigers have seven losses, but five have come by six points or less. Virginia Tech, as usual, is the definition of a bubble team. The Hokies (5–4 ACC, RPI 68) have a chance to get on a roll in the ACC. The next two are at home, vs. Georgia Tech and Maryland, and then they travel to Virginia and Wake Forest. Boston College is sliding down the bracket, with four losses in five games. Also, Texas A&M’s recent struggles have not helped BC; A&M is the only top-60 team the Eagles have defeated.

America East (1)
In: Vermont

A-10 (3)
In: Richmond, Temple, Xavier
Worth a Mention: Dayton, Duquesne, Rhode Island

Notes: Richmond’s RPI is not very good (74), but the Spiders have a neutral court win over Purdue in their back pocket. Duquesne’s hopes took a huge hit with last weekend’s loss to Saint Bonaventure. The Dukes have a chance to make amends when Xavier visits this weekend.

A-Sun (1)
In: Belmont

Big 12 (7)
In: Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M
Worth a Mention: Colorado

Notes: Seven teams are in this week, but Baylor, K-State and Oklahoma State still have plenty of work to do. Baylor made a big climb in the past week, with a huge overtime win at Texas A&M followed up by a victory at home vs. Nebraska. The Bears still have two games vs. Texas and trips to Missouri and Oklahoma State. Kansas State has a very good RPI (31) but no wins vs. RPI top-60 teams. The Cats don’t, however, have many bad losses. The defeat at home to Colorado is the only loss against a team outside the RPI top 50.

Big East (11)
In: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, St. John’s, Syracuse, Villanova, West Virginia
Worth a Mention: None

Notes: Georgetown's recent hot streak has made the Hoyas a contender for a No. 2 seed. St. John’s has nine losses but a good RPI (22), a great strength of schedule (2) and four wins vs. RPI top-20 teams. Cincinnati has a pair of top-25 wins and no losses vs. non-top-20 teams. Marquette avoided a bad loss on Wednesday night, rallying to win at South Florida by one point.

Big Sky (1)
In: Northern Colorado

Big South (1)
In: Coastal Carolina

Big Ten (5)
In: Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio State, Purdue, Wisconsin
Worth a Mention: Michigan State, Penn State

Notes: Last week, we welcomed Penn State to the bracket. This week, we say good-bye, after the Lions lost at Illinois and at home to Michigan. Michigan State has stumbled out of the field with five losses in its last six games. Minnesota is trending the wrong way, but the Gophers’ resume is still Tournament-worthy (for now).

Big West (1)
In: Long Beach State

Colonial (2)
In: George Mason, Old Dominion
Worth a Mention: VCU

Notes: VCU was among the final teams out. The Rams have solid wins over UCLA in New York and at Old Dominion but also have three losses to teams ranked 125 or worse. ODU has four CAA losses but has an RPI of 30 and a strong non-conference profile (wins over Clemson, Xavier, Richmond and Dayton).

Conference USA (1)
In: UTEP
Worth a Mention: Memphis, UAB

Notes: UTEP is in as the league’s automatic bid since it sits atop the C-USA standings. Memphis is close, with an RPI of 39 and two road wins over top-50 teams — Southern Miss (46) and UAB (31). The Tigers host both of those teams over the next week. A sweep would be beneficial.

Horizon (1)
In: Valparaiso
Worth a Mention: Butler, Cleveland State

Notes: Valpo leads the league by one game over Cleveland State and Wright State. CSU has the best chance of any team in the Horizon for an at-large invite. The Vikings have a solid RPI (37) but no wins vs. top-50 opponents. They have a great opportunity on Feb. 20, when they travel to Old Dominion for one of the marquee Bracket Buster games.

Ivy (1)
In: Princeton

MAAC (1)
In: Fairfield

MAC (1)
In: Kent State

MEAC (1)
In: Hampton

MVC (1)
In: Missouri State
Worth a Mention: Wichita State

Notes: Missouri State stole the automatic bid from Wichita State by sliding into a tie with the Shockers by beating Bradley Wednesday night. Both MSU and WSU have similar profiles — no good wins but few bad losses. Will be interesting to see how the committee views both teams.

Mountain West (3)
In: BYU, San Diego State, UNLV
Worth a Mention: Colorado State, New Mexico

Notes: Colorado State was once again one of the last teams out. The Rams RPI is 42, and they have two top-50 wins, vs. Southern Miss and at UNLV. Their two bad losses (vs. Hampton and Sam Houston State) are keeping them out — for now.

Northeast (1)
In: Long Island

OVC (1)
In: Austin Peay

Pac-10 (3)
In: Arizona, Washington, UCLA
Worth a Mention: Washington State

Notes: Washington State took a hit with a loss at Oregon last week. The Cougars’ RPI is 60 and they only have one top-60 win, vs. fading Washington at home.

Patriot (1)
In: Bucknell

SEC (6)
In: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Worth a Mention: South Carolina

Notes: Alabama is moving up the food chain. A win Thursday night at Vanderbilt would be enormous for Anthony Grant’s club. Georgia’s loss at home to Xavier on Tuesday night was a tough blow. The Dawgs missed an opportunity for a top-25 RPI win; currently, they are 2–7 vs. top-50 foes.

Southern (1)
In: College of Charleston

Southland (1)
In: Northwestern State

Summit (1)
In: Oakland

Sun Belt (1)
In: Florida Atlantic

SWAC (1)
In: Texas Southern

WAC (1)
In: Utah State

WCC (1)
In: Saint Mary’s
Worth a Mention: Gonzaga

Notes: Gonzaga’s resume isn’t too attractive — nine losses, an RPI of 77 and only two wins vs. top-50 RPI teams (Xavier and Oklahoma State).