I’ll run almost the same entire opener that I preluded with last week…

Don’t stomp too hard—you’ll surely pop it. Don’t dance too quickly—you’ll likely lose your footing. Don’t stand still—the surface beneath you will sink in. Yes, the bubble is quite the fleeting menace.

Everyone that has come to this site should already know the great work that Glockner does over at Bubble Watch, but this feature will not be about projecting the field, or anticipating what might happen. No, this is how I see the field of 65 and who I think should be in; all of this is according to my eyes and my judgment. And no, I do not read any Bracketology. As I’ve stated before, Lunardi is just too good at what he does that he takes the fun out evaluating the field for me.

Locks? There are none. Yet. What defines a “lock” to me? Simple: If you can afford to lose every single game for the remainder of the season and still be granted an at-large berth despite that, you’re a lock. It’s safe to say that no one is safe from that yet. Of course Memphis isn’t going to lose their remaining games (or lose three games period!) but that wouldn’t make this game fun!

I’m litigious with this, I know, but I do it purposefully in order to really be able to get a full scope of the at-large field. There are a couple of new teams that have been added to the mix this week, a couple that need some work to do to get back on board (Duquesne, Utah, Alabama, UAB), and a couple that are gone for good (Delaware, Sam Houston State).

There are now only 11 “almost lock” teams (as Marquette and Texas A&M were bumped from that group this week) and the at-large field after that? It’s now at a fat 57. Don’t worry, that fat will be trimmed each week.

Fifteen conferences are now in “one-bid” mode (those are listed below). There are others, and I call them the “fringers” that are not even worthy of consideration yet (Kentucky, N.C. State, Charlotte, etc…) but could eventually fight their way into the at-large picture. If you have any questions, gripes, serious disagreements or love letters you’d like to send me, I can be reached at editor@collegehoopsjournal.com.

Understand that there are only 34 at-large berths handed out each year, and the ratio of locks/bubblers will certainly become a lot tighter once February hits. For the sake of this column, I’m assuming the worst right now. That means every single conference tournament will produce a winner that has no at-large chances. For all of your NCAA Tournament questions, needs and curiosities, follow me. (more…)

Don’t stomp too hard—you’ll surely pop it. Don’t dance too quickly—you’ll likely lose your footing. Don’t stand still—the surface beneath you will sink in. Yes, the bubble is quite the fleeting menace.

Everyone that has come to this site should already know the great work that Glockner does over at Bubble Watch, but this feature will not be about projecting the field, or anticipating what might happen. No, this is how I see the field of 65 and who I think should be in; all of this is according to my eyes and my judgment. And no, I do not read any Bracketology. As I’ve stated before, Lunardi is just too good at what he does that he takes the fun out of it for me.

Locks? There are none. Yet. What defines a “lock” to me? Simple: If you can afford to lose every single game for the remainder of the season and still be granted an at-large berth despite that, you’re a lock. It’s safe to say that no one is safe from that yet. Of course Memphis isn’t going to lose their final 14 games (or lose three games period!) but that wouldn’t make this game fun!

I’m litigious with this, I know, but I do it purposefully in order to really be able to get a full scope of the at-large field. How many at-large candidates are there? I’ve done hours of research (get a hold of your life, Norlander) and widdled the field down to 59 teams with legitimate shots right now. There are others, and I call them the “fringers” that are so terrible that they can’t even get some consideration yet (Kentucky, N.C. State, Charlotte, Penn State, etc…) but could eventually fight their way into the at-large picture. And then there are the additional 13 that have entered the almost-lock territory. If you have any questions, gripes, serious disagreements or love letters you’d like to send me, I can be reached at editor@collegehoopsjournal.com.

Understand that there are only 34 at-large berths handed out each year, and the ratio of locks/bubblers will certainly become a lot tighter once February hits. For all of your NCAA Tournament questions, needs and curiosities, follow me. (more…)