If Your Team is On the Bubble.....

Pay attention to these early conference tournaments. Upsets here would throw extra teams into the at-large pool and reduce your team's chances of dancing.

Missouri Valley March 2-5, St. Louis--There is talk of six teams either in or on the bubble. Bradley and Northern Iowa are probably playing for their lives in the second round. If say a Drake or Evansville gets hot and wins the tournament (not likely but stranger things have happened), then one of the top six (including Southern Illinois, Creighton, Wichita State, and Bradley) are screwed.

Colonial Athletic Association March 3-6, Richmond--George Mason is a lock, and UNC Wilmington and Hofstra are on the bubble. Old Dominion is a real threat to win out which would probably knock one of the bubble teams off. The CAA wouldn't get four teams in the NCAA's, would they?

Sun Belt March 3-7, Murfreesboro, TN--Western Kentucky could get in as an at-large team if they lose this tournament.

West Coast March 3-6, Spokane, WA--Gonzaga is in. If they lose here, they'll take an at-large spot away from another team.

Upsets in these tournaments will shrink that bubble really, really small. Stay tuned.