by Snaggletooth » December 2nd, 2012, 8:27 am
Teams earn bids, not conferences (I will caveat this with a good conference performance give certain teams more opportunities). Here is where team are at right now:
CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY
WSU (7-0): a 16-7 finish give them a mid-30's RPI. Stronger finish will solidify their at-large credentials. AF, Tennessee and S. Miss are big games that will signs of where this team is really at and are they worthy of being ranked.
CU (6-1): One hicup so far, but bounced back nicely. They just need to finish out strong with non-conference season and a 17-6 finish give them a mid-30's RPI, just like WSU a stronger finish strengthens their at-large credentials.
ON THE BUBBLE
ISUR (5-2): A win versus Louisville would have said "we are a NCAA team". Wyoming is a must win and they are going to have to earn their way through MVC play. A 18-5 give them a mid-30's RPI.
UNI (3-2): A 17-6 finish kicks their RPI into the mid-30's. The strength of their non-conference schedule still leaves them with plenty of opportunties with George Mason, Iowa, UNLV and St. Marys. Of course if they don't win them then 17-2 finish would be pretty hard to do.
Drake (2-3): They have St. Mary's and Iowa St left on their schedule that can help their resume. They will need 19-4 finish to get their RPI to the mid-30's. That bubble is getting small.
BUBBLE IS CLOSE TO BUSTING - So you are saying their still is chance?
ISUB (3-2): The put all their non-conference success in NM and Mississippi, well they lost to NM. They are now left finishing 16-3. That bubble is getting small.
Evansville (4-3): They have two games on their schedule that potentially could help their resume, Murray St and Butler. Like Drake and ISUB, their bubble is getting small as they need to finish 21-4 to have a mid-30's RPI. Losing 1 or 2 against against Murray St or Butler almost seals their fate as I don't see them going 21-2 the rest of way .
Bradley (5-2): Could have, would have, should have - lost opportunity yesterday against Michigan. Their bubble burst yesterday. Terrible Non-conference schedule has at least created a illusion of progress but they have to be almost perfect the rest of the way to have any shot.
SIU (3-1): Hinson is trying to resurrect their reputation and their winning tradition and scheduled as such. Unless you think they are going to pull a miracle out, their bubble is busted.
BUBBLE BUSTED
SWMO (0-5): Doesn't matter how weak or how strong you schedule - I you don't win the games on your schedule it is irrelevant anyway.