For those of you wondering how the ACC could possibly get 9 teams in the Big Dance, here is some food for thought. First, I ask which team(s) would you leave out if the season had ended after games on Sunday? Maryland? Georgia Tech? Florida St.? Although it has been mentioned in the last week that the Selection Committee does not discuss the RPI, that is nearly impossible when you really think about it. Some of the factors that go into RPI include SOS, quality wins, road wins, overall record, etc. Are you telling me that the Committee does not consider ANY of these factors? That's what I thought. So the RPI is obviously taken into consideration. Maybe they dont talk about the exact RPI #, but that is irrelevant. Sorry I had to get that off my chest before I discussed the ACC and their 9 teams.  

Maryland- RPI 33, SOS 26, 4 wins vs RPI Top 50, Quality Wins- Clemson, Georgia Tech, Duke, and even throw in Michigan St. Record 18-7.

Georgia Tech- RPI 56, SOS 44, 6 wins vs RPI Top 50, Quality Wins-Memphis, Duke, Clemson, Florida St. Record 16-8.

Florida St.- RPI 29, SOS 13, 4 wins vs RPI Top 50, Quality Wins- Florida, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Duke. Record 16-8.

When you look at those 3 teams, in what order would you rank them? Maybe Georgia Tech is the weakest? You can't disregard those quality wins though. Maryland? Well, they beat Georgia Tech. Florida St.? No way, look at those #'s and wins. Want to compare them to some of the last teams out of my bracket? Ok, I thought so.

Georgia- RPI 43, SOS 11, 3 wins vs RPI Top 50, Quality Wins- Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Kentucky. Record 13-9.

Alabama- RPI 30, SOS 54, 2 wins vs RPI Top 50, Quality Wins- Xavier, Georgia, Record 18-6.

Louisville- RPI 73, SOS 45, 0 wins vs RPI Top 50, Quality Wins-Providence, Syracuse, Record 16-8.

Kansas St.- RPI 49, SOS 98, 1 wins vs RPI Top 50, Quality Wins- USC, Texas, Record 18-7.

As you can see, not one of these teams is more worthy than an above ACC team. You might bring up Duke, but as you know, they are still in the Tournament (for now).

Ok, on to the next topic. With that being said regarding Louisville, they finally got a big win last night by going into Pitt and roughing them up. That win will definitely help their case for getting in. I am not saying that puts them in, or out, but they definitely still have some more work to do to solidify a reservation.

How about the Broncos of Santa Clara??? They snapped Gonzaga's 50 game home winning streak last night that put them alone at the top of the West Coast Conference standings. Before last night they were tied, but Gonzaga owned the tie-breaker. Gonzaga is now on the outside looking in at the Big Dance. After losing Josh Heytvelt to those psychedlic mushrooms, the Zags appear to be in big trouble.

Last night provided some insight on some of our bubble teams. First, Michigan St. got absolutely hammered at Purdue. The 26-26 halftime score soon turned into a blowout. The Spartans managed just 12 points in the 2nd half while Purdue lit it up from all over the floor. An acquaintance of mine was at this game and he told me Izzo was sitting the ENTIRE 2nd half. Sounds like he knows what is ahead of him. Can you say N.I.T.? I'm not sticking a fork in State just yet but they are in BIG TIME trouble. They still have Wisconsin and Michigan twice, and both Iowa and Indiana at home. Purdue meanwhile kept their hopes alive with a win they had to have. They have the Buckeyes in Columbus this weekend, and are home against Indiana next week. If they at least get a split, they will still be alive.

Louisville had a chance to get a marquee win but lost at home against Georgetown. I have had my doubts about the Hoyas, but they just keep on winning. Clemson kept their spot in the field with a win over Florida St. West Virginia had a chance to enter my field of 65 but lost on their home floor to a more talented Pitt team. They will get another chance when UCLA comes calling to Morgantown this weekend. Speaking of the Bruins, they got all they could handle from USC last night. The Trojans look like they are for real.

I saw most of the UNC at Duke game and was really impressed with Tarheel youngsters Ty Lawson and Brandan Wright. That drive Lawson had at the end of the game was unbelievable. Like I discussed in my last blog, Duke has a really rough stretch ahead. It is not a sure thing they will finish over .500 in the ACC.