Between 31 automatic bids and shoo-ins from the powerhouse conferences like South Carolina, LSU, USC and N.C. State, much of the 68-team field for the NCAA tournament is already set.
There are still spots to be had, though, and two weeks for teams living on the bubble to make their case to the selection committee that they deserve one of them.
In no particular order, here’s a look at some of the teams the committee might be looking at for those last few spots in the NCAA tournament:
Virginia Tech (17-10 overall, 8-8 in the ACC)
The Hokies play in a tough conference, and their wins over Louisville and Georgia Tech help their case. Especially that Georgia Tech one, coming in double overtime and on the road.
But the home losses to Stanford and Syracuse hurt, and Virginia Tech could use a win or two in the ACC Tournament to solidify a spot.
Nebraska (18-10, 9-8 in Big Ten)
The Cornhuskers were considered a lock at one point, with a 20-point road walloping of then-No. 17 Maryland their most impressive win. But their losses to other ranked teams haven’t been close and a bad loss at home to Washington last weekend raises questions.
Washington (17-12, 8-9 in Big Ten)
The Huskies are one of the bubbliest of the bubble teams, with wins over Minnesota and Nebraska and single-digit losses to USC, Oregon and Maryland. Beating Oregon in the regular-season finale and winning a game or two in the Big Ten tournament would go a long way in getting them off the bubble and securely into the tournament.
Saint Joseph’s (21-7, 12-5 in Atlantic 10)
Already teetering on the edge, Saint Joseph’s might have sealed its fate with a 74-65 loss to Dayton on Thursday night. It had convincing wins over George Mason and a ‘good” loss to Utah but also lost to VCU, which doesn’t have a winning record overall or in the A-10.
Colorado (18-10, 9-8 in Big 12)
Buffs have wins over West Virginia and Kansas State, and six of their 10 losses have been to ranked teams or teams receiving votes. But most of those losses have not been close, and the availability of leading scorer Frida Formann (stress fracture in foot) remains uncertain.
Iowa State (20-10, 11-6 in Big 12)
The Cyclones get credit for a tough non-conference schedule, playing UConn, South Carolina and Iowa. But beating Colorado by 30 at home is the closest they have to a signature win – unless they can knock off K-State this weekend.
Quinnipiac (22-3, 14-2 in MAAC)
Very much an outsider; is the committee really going to give the MAAC two teams? If it does, Quinnipiac deserves consideration. One of its three losses was in OT at Miami, and another was to MAAC leader Fairfield.
Princeton (18-6, 9-2 in Ivy)
Hard to see the committee taking three Ivy teams, and Harvard is likely in because of the strength of its schedule while Columbia currently leads the league. Best chance the Tigers have is to beat Harvard on Friday, then hope Harvard wins the Ivy League tournament.
