STF Bubble Watch: 3/13/08

This week on Bubble Watch we'll be tracking a number of teams and letting you know just where we see them in the pecking order. Expect the bubble to fluctuate quite a bit as we head down the final stretch this week and teams hop on and off the bubble as they're eliminated from their conference tournaments (or even win them). It's now a daily scope folks. So no more waiting until Monday/Friday to see how much your A-10 squad has damaged their status this week. If there's any team not mentioned here that you're curious about just drop a comment or e-mail me here.


What Bubble? (Should be in):
St. Mary's, South Alabama, Kent State, Illinois State, Arizona, Arizona State, UMass, Arkansas, UNLV, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Villanova

Let There Be Life (More than enough chances to get in, but out for now):
Virginia Tech, New Mexico, Ohio State, Dayton, Temple, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Oregon, and St. Joe's.

Neutral (Season's over, and need a lot of luck to get in.)
VCU

Auto-Bid Or Bust? (Can still play in, but it'll take a conference final appearance to make it happen and even that might not be enough):
Florida, Maryland, Stephen F. Austin, UAB, and Houston.

Let's Get Eliminated (Season over...):
Southern Illinois, Creighton, Syracuse and Rhode Island.

Changes:
Syracuse and Rhode Island eliminated.
Villanova in
Ohio State out

A Few Thoughts

- Syracuse probably could have lost yesterday and still squeaked in if everything fell perfectly, but after basically quitting yesterday it's all but official.

- Rhode Island was down to needing the auto-bid anyway, but after last nights loss to Charlotte I'm not even sure they get to the CBI.

- Villanova moves in narrowly ahead of the Buckeyes with the blowout of 'Cuse. A close win I probably don't move them in, but it was convincing and when you consider the hole they started it out in the way the won is that much more impressive. I'd recommend beating the Hoyas though if they'd like to sew it up for good.

- West Virginia-Providence is one of the roughest games I've ever watched. The Friars probably should have won that game and knocked WVU to the edge of the in group, but it looked like they didn't want to. I'm sure many teams were disappointed when that one ended.

- Arizona did what they had to in blowing out Oregon State and may be a lock if they can avoid a blowout against Stanford.

- Dayton, Temple and St. Joe's all picked up must wins but are going to need more to squeeze into the dance. It's a start, though Dayton needing overtime to dispatch St. Louis isn't a great sign (to be fair St. Louis is playing better). They get a big shot today against Xavier.

- Today we kick off the Southland, SEC and ACC tournaments kicking off in full force. I'd expect to see a bit a movement by tomorrow with nearly every team hitting the floor today.