While the NCAA tournament bubble isn't a particularly tight place this year, there are some conference tournaments that can still put the squeeze on for March Madness hopefuls. These are the conferences expecting one or two bids, but, should an upset happen along the way, could put the bubble on a diet in a hurry.
Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Record: 21-13, 12-6 in conference RPI: 184 How They Got In: Automatic bid (conference tournament champs) Seed/Bracket: 16 / Midwest
Mascot: "The Blue Bengals." Since our image provider has no photos of the Jackson State basketball team available, please enjoy this photo of a Chinese man balancing a basketball on a paintbrush.
Big Win(s): 100-97 win over UTEP.
Notable Loss(es): Destroyed by the three ranked teams they played; lost 96-65 to #12 Alabama, 100-70 to #21 Georgia Tech, and 111-69 to #13 Memphis.
Player You Should Know: Look for the jersey with #24 on it. 6' 5" guard Trey Johnson should have the ball in his hands most of the night. He plays 37.8 minutes per game and is responsible for an average of 27.1 points per game. No other player on the team averages in double figures. He is 90% of the Tigers' offense.
Outlook: Grim, brief, and painful. When you're a #16 seed matched up with the tournament's overall #1 seed, the defending national champion Florida Gators, you know you're the last team in. The Tigers give up size, speed, talent, and athleticism at every position. However, making the field is a huge accomplishment for "Mississippi's Urban University."
Conference: Colonial Athletic Association Record: 24-8 RPI: 39 How They Got In: At-large. Maybe the most controversial of all the at-large selections, some folks think ODU has no business in the Big Dance, while others think ODU belongs easily and should have been much better than a 12 seed.
Mascot: The Monarchs' mascot isn't a butterfly, it's a dog wearing a crown. The dog's name is Big Blue.
Big Wins: A 75-62 win at Georgetown in November was a huge statement that the Monarchs can play with anyone.
Notable Loss: The Monarchs lost to James Madison (RPI 300) in January. If the selection committee had left ODU out of the tournament, that's the game they would have blamed it on.
Player to Know: Senior guard Drew Williamson (pictured guarding Michigan State's Shannon Brown in the 2005 tournament) averages 11.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds a game. He has twice led the CAA in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Outlook: There's no reason ODU can't beat Butler in the first round; it wouldn't be that big an upset. If they do win, the second-round matchup would likely be against Maryland, and winning that would be a big upset. Still, the Monarchs would love the chance to show what they can do against an ACC team.
A day after the NCAA Tournament brackets were released, everyone from everywhere loves to pile these numbers at you. Stuff like "its been six years straight that a #12 has beaten a #5" and "no #16 has beaten a #1". So, in honor of that ... more numbers!
Since 1981, the ACC has sent 25 teams to the Final Four.
Last year, no ACC teams made the Final Four. The last time back-to-back Final Fours were ACC-less was way back in 1979 and 1980.
At least one ACC school has made the Final Four in 21 of the last 26 years.
The last time the Sweet 16 didn't have at least one ACC team was back in 1979.
The last time the Sweet 16 didn't have at least two ACC teams was back in ... 1979.
Only once, since 1979, has the Elite Eight not had an ACC team. That was last year's tournament.
North Carolina gets their 11th #1 seed ... most all-time. Duke is second with 10.
Since seeding began in 1979, the ACC has had a #1 seed 26 times, most all-time.
Since seeding began in 1979, the ACC is the only conference to have a winning record against #1 seeds [23-21]. By comparison, the Big Ten [who is 2nd among big conferences] is 14-31. UNC is 7-2 against top seeds, Duke is 7-3 and Virginia is 3-0.
Duke's Mike Krzyzewski has won more NCAA Tournament games, 68, than any coach in history.
UNC's Roy Williams has won at least one game in the NCAA Tournament for 18 straight years.
The ACC has the highest NCAA Tournament winning percentage ever.
The ACC has not had a losing NCAA Tournament record since 1987, when they went 5-6.
In 12 of the last 18 years, the ACC has won at least 10 NCAA tournament games.
The ACC has won 316 NCAA Tournament games, most all-time. The Big East is second with 215 wins.
The only conference that the ACC has a losing record against in NCAA tournament play is the Pac-10. The ACC schools are 13-14 against Pac-10 teams. The earliest these two conferences could meet in this tournament is the Sweet 16.
Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC) Record: 21-12, 7-9 in conference RPI: 48 How They Got In: At-large bid Seed/Bracket: 12 / East Rutherford
Mascot: Straight outta the Wikipedia: "There are a number of costumed mascots for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks that attend most major sporting events. Big Red (aka the 'Fighting Razorback') is the traditional mascot for the University and represents the intimidating fighting spirit of the Razorbacks at all athletic events. Sue E., is the female hog and is famous for her costume changes and dancing ability. Pork Chop is the 'kid' mascot. Boss Hog, a nine-foot inflatable mascot, joined the mascot family during the 1998-99 football season."
Big Win(s): The Hogs don't really have a "signature" big win. They did sweep Alabama (then ranked #8 and #12). Also beat #23 Vanderbilt. Their most notable accomplishment was advancing from the first round of the SEC Tournament to the finals.
Notable Loss(es): Demolished last December by Texas Tech, steamrolled by Mississippi State (84-60) in conference play. Also lost by 21 points to Florida in the SEC Tournament finals.
Player You Should Know: Six-foot-one frosh guard Patrick Beverley, the SEC Freshman of the Year, gives the Hogs an added dimension. In an average of 34.5 minutes per game, Beverley put up 14.1 points and 1.8 steals every time he took the court. Beverley is a slashing threat and leads the Hogs in points, but is also well known for his clampdown defense.
Outlook: As a 12-seed in a tough bracket, Arkansas has their work cut out for them, but what more can you ask for when you get in the NCAA tournament by the skin of your hogteeth? The Razorbacks face 5th-seeded USC in the first round, which is a winnable game for the Hogs, but should they manage to beat the Trojans they will most likely get red-hot 4th-seeded Texas in the second round. It could be a short dancing trip for Arkansas, but it's enough to save Stan Heath's job for another year.
Mascot: Red Raiders. Texas Tech was originally the Matadors until a newspaper writer in 1932 penned, "The Red Raiders from Texas Tech, terror of the Southwest this year, swooped in the New Mexico University camp today." The nickname stuck, and has been in use since then.
Big Win: Kansas, Texas A&M, @Texas A&M
Notable Loss: @Baylor
Player You Should Know: Martin Zeno and Jarrius Jackson give Texas Tech one of the toughest backcourts in the nation, solid ball handlers, shooters and defenders who execute Bob Knight's gameplan to perfection.
Outlook: When they shoot the ball well they can beat anyone in the country as evidenced by their three wins over the Jayhawks and the Aggies. The Red Raiders have been prone to streaks of offensive futility though and can struggle against inferior competition when that happens. Overall, this is team that will be a tough out in the tournament, but I don't expect them to advance very far.
Conference: Big Ten Record: 23-11, 9-7 in conference RPI: 29 How They Got In: At large.
Mascot: They're called the Fighting Illini, but they have no mascot now that the university got rid of Chief Illiniwek. If they had known they were going to the NCAA tournament, the school probably wouldn't have gotten rid of the Chief -- they banned the Chief in large part because the NCAA wouldn't allow them to host an NIT game if they didn't, and the school thought it was going to the NIT.
Big Wins: No huge wins, but the Illini did beat Michigan State once and Indiana twice in the Big Ten, plus they beat Bradley in the nonconference portion of the schedule.
Notable Loss: A loss at Iowa in the season finale is the only particularly bad loss on the Illini's schedule. Iowa provided the worst loss for Indiana, Illinois and Michigan State. Player You Should Know: Senior Warren Carter is the Illini's best player, and he especially makes his presence felt on defense, where Illinois has been absolutely shutting down its opponents of late.
Outlook: As 12 seeds go, the Illini have a fairly favorable draw. It's not unthinkable that they could beat both Virginia Tech in the first round and Southern Illinois in the second. Illinois probably won't reach the Sweet 16, but don't rule it out.
Conference: Pac-10 Record: 26-7, 11-7 in conference RPI: 21 How They Got In: Won Pac-10 Tournament by kicking everyone else's ass. Seed/bracket: 3, Midwest
Mascot: Ducks. Add "Mighty" in front of it and Emilio Estevez, and you have yourselves a movie.
Big Win: Tagged UCLA with its first loss, at Georgetown, Arizona, Washington State (2x)
Notable Loss: At Cal. Player You Should Know: Aaron "Sub-zero" Brooks. The guy was in discussion for National Player of the Year earlier in the season and is a big reason for Oregon's 13-0 start.
Outlook: Can run with anyone, but could be challenged against a bigger team with dominating post player.
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Record: 20-11, 8-8 in conference RPI: 52 How They Got In: At-Large. Seed/Bracket: #10/Midwest
Mascot: Yellow Jackets, plus known as the "Rambin' Wreck". The tradition behind the Yellow Jackets aren't from the insect, but from the early supporters who wore, yes, yellow jackets to athletic events. The NFL Hall of Fame must be proud. The Rambin' Wreck derives from an old 1914 Ford driven by a Dean in the early part of the 20th century.
Big Win: Beating Memphis, 92-85, in the Maui Invitational. This was big since Tech is just 3-10 away from Atlanta this season and it was one of just 3 losses for Memphis. The Jackets have also beaten North Carolina and Boston College.
Notable Loss: A 85-75 loss at Wake Forest. That loss not only extended a four-game losing streak, but also cemented in a lot of people's minds that Tech still can't win on the road.
Player You Should Know: Freshman guard Javaris Crittenton has been an All-ACC performer and has become a huge part of how this team performs. They just can't win if he's having an off day. Another frosh, Thaddeus Young, has emerged into a lethal scorer and a very tough matchup. Outlook: The main thing that follows Ga Tech is their inability to win away from home. Still, how do you explain their win over Memphis in Maui? Ah, playing the half of their life with a 62-39 second half killing. They get UNLV in the first round which could make Tech one of the trendy upset picks in the 1st round. If they can pull that off, they'll get a good Wisconsin team next.
Conference: Pac-10 Record: 20-10, 11-7 in conference RPI: 14 How They Got In: At-large. Seed/bracket: 8, Midwest
Mascot: Wildcats. (That makes them one of about 100).
Big Win: Illinois, Louisville, Memphis
Notable Loss: Home versus North Carolina (by 28 points). Player You Should Know: Marcus Williams. Big scorer, but big ball-hog as well. He'd be better off as a decoy rather than the go-to-guy.
Outlook: Wildcats are as talented as any team in the country, but don't play well as a team and have character issues. Will be a scary lower seed. Watch out Purdue. Watch out Florida.
Conference: Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
Conference: Colonial Athletic Association
Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Conference: Big XII
Conference: Big Ten
Conference: Pac-10
