Outside of the first full day of NCAA Tournament game action, Selection Sunday is probably the most anticipated day on the college basketball calendar. With the field of 68 to be set in a couple days, here are 10 teams that will be sweating it out during the process.
10. Butler
Getty ImagesButler does not have any bad losses, and they've got a few good wins (Purdue, Cincinnati, season sweep of Seton Hall). But Thursday's Big East Tournament loss to Providence adds some doubt to their NCAA Tournament qualification, and put them on the bubble. The Bulldogs will be watching Selection Sunday with some doubt (beyond a matchup or region placement) for the first time in awhile.
9. Cincinnati
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Friday's conference tournament game against UConn was vital for both teams, and the Bearcats came up short. Now Mick Cronin's crew will be left to wonder if their resume, which includes a regular season sweep of UConn and a late win over SMU, is enough to get an at-large bid.
8. Monmouth
Getty ImagesMonmouth has a nice record (27-7), and a solid resume with wins over Notre Dame, Georgetown, USC and UCLA. But Monday's loss to Iona in the MAAC Championship Game puts them in the pool for an at-large bid, and the Hawks will be sweating it out as the bracket is unveiled.
7. Michigan
Joe Robbins Getty ImagesMichigan's upset win over Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament helps their case for at-large bid in a big way. But their still firmly on the bubble, due to a 4-11 record against top-100 RPI teams, so at least one more conference tournament win looks like a requirement for the Wolverines.
6. Valparaiso
Jamie Sabau Getty ImagesValparaiso only has two "resume wins" (Oregon State, Iona), so winning their conference tournament was important to lock down a bid in the Big Dance. Monday night's loss to Green Bay in a Horizon League semifinal hurt their chances at lot, and brings some drama for Selection Sunday.
5. Saint Mary's
Ethan Miller Getty ImagesThe Gaels beat Gonzaga twice during the regular season, but they fell short of the trifecta in the WCC Tournament final when a win would have sealed an NCAA Tournament berth. Having 27 wins is nice, but Saint Mary's may not have the resume to impress the selection committee.
4. Pittsburgh
Rob Carr Getty ImagesJamie Dixon's Panthers moved to Joe Lunardi's "First Four In" after beating Syracuse on Wednesday. Thursday's loss to North Carolina was expected, so Pitt remains on the bubble heading into Selection Sunday.
3. Wichita State
Dilip Vishwanat Getty ImagesWichita State could have removed all drama surrounding their status by winning the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. But a semifinal loss, to eventual champion Northern Iowa, will keep them firmly on the tournament bubble heading into Selection Sunday.
2. Vanderbilt
Andy Lyons Getty ImagesIn order to virtually guarantee a tournament bid, the Commodores probably needed to make a dent in the SEC Tournament . So Thursday's close loss to Tennessee, after a basket was waved off that would have sent the game to overtime, hurts their chances for an at-large bid big time.
1. Syracuse
Getty ImagesWednesday's ACC Tournament Game against Pittsburgh was viewed as a possible play-in game, and Syracuse came up short. The Orange have a good RPI and strength of schedule, along with some good wins (Duke, Notre Dame, UConn, Texas A&M). But five losses in their last six games will be fresh on the selection committee's mind, and Syracuse may need sympathy for Jim Boeheim's nine-game suspension and some brand name recognition to make the field.
