March 13, 2009 Bracket

With just a few days to go, the pressure is quickly getting to some teams, while others are stepping up. I will make one more bracket Selection Sunday morning.
DISCLAIMER: That bracket will ASSUME the winners of the final few automatic bids. It is my final best attempt to select the field of 65.

Meanwhile, here's today's edition. As always, automatic bids, official or assumed, are marked with asterisks.

EAST REGION (Boston):
#1 North Carolina (27-3)* vs. #16 Winner of Chattanooga (18-16)*/Alabama State (20-9)*
#8 Marquette (24-9) vs. #9 Utah (22-9)
#5 Purdue (22-9) vs. #12 Florida (23-9)
#4 Kansas (25-7) vs. #13 American (23-7)*
#6 BYU (25-6)* vs. #11 Minnesota (22-9)
#3 Missouri (26-6)* vs. #14 Buffalo (20-10)*
#7 West Virginia (22-10) vs. #10 Dayton (26-6)
#2 Memphis (29-3)* vs. #15 Cornell (21-9)*

WEST REGION (Glendale):
#1 Pittsburgh (28-4) vs. #16 Cal State Northridge (15-13)*
#8 Texas A&M (23-9) vs. #9 California (22-10)
#5 Gonzaga (26-5)* vs. #12 Boston College (22-10)
#4 Illinois (23-8) vs. #13 Stephen F. Austin (22-7)*
#6 LSU (25-6)* vs. #11 USC (19-12)
#3 Villanova (26-6) vs. #14 Robert Morris (24-10)*
#7 Texas (22-10) vs. #10 Michigan (20-12)
#2 Duke (25-6) vs. #15 Portland State (23-9)*

MIDWEST REGION (Indianapolis):
#1 Michigan State (25-5)* vs. #16 Morgan State (21-11)*
#8 Tennessee (19-11) vs. #9 Siena (26-7)*
#5 Florida State (23-8) vs. #12 Arizona (19-13)
#4 Syracuse (25-8) vs. #13 Northern Iowa (23-10)*
#6 Clemson (23-8) vs. #11 Penn State (22-10)
#3 Washington (25-7)* vs. #14 North Dakota State (26-6)*
#7 Oklahoma State (22-10) vs. #10 San Diego State (22-8)
#2 Connecticut (27-4) vs. #15 Radford (21-11)*

SOUTH REGION (Memphis):
#1 Louisville (26-5)* vs. #16 Morehead State (19-15)*
#8 Ohio State (20-9) vs. #9 Utah State (28-4)*
#5 UCLA (25-7) vs. #12 VCU (24-9)*
#4 Xavier (25-6)* vs. #13 Cleveland State (25-10)*
#6 Arizona State (23-8) vs. #11 Western Kentucky (24-8)*
#3 Wake Forest (24-5) vs. #14 Binghamton (22-8)*
#7 Butler (26-5) vs. #10 Wisconsin (19-11)
#2 Oklahoma (27-5) vs. #15 East Tennessee State (23-10)*

Bubble Watch:
ACC - Maryland (19-12), Virginia Tech (18-13), Miami (18-12)
If Maryland can beat Wake Forest to get to 20 wins today, the Terps would likely be in due to their 4 quality wins against the Top 50. Tech would also likely be in if they upset UNC, who is without Ty Lawson. Miami is headed to the NIT after losing to VT.

Atlantic 10 - Temple (20-11), Rhode Island (22-10)
If Temple can stun Xavier today, the Owls definitely become a promising case for the committee. Rhode Island is headed to the NIT after a shocking loss to Duquesne.

Big East - Providence (19-13)
I think the Friars needed to beat Louisville to have any shot. The Friars will definitely be sweating come Sunday, but I don't think they've done quite enough.

Big Ten - Northwestern (17-13)
It would have been a nice story, but even with 6 quality wins, the overall body of work doesn't help the 'Cats. But they will be a tough challenge in the NIT.

Big 12 - Baylor (19-13), Kansas State (21-11)
With Baylor's stunner over Kansas, the Bears join the discussion. Their computer numbers are nice and they have 4 quality victories now. If they can reach the final with a win over Kansas, the Bears could be in. Kansas State is headed to the NIT after a loss to Texas.

Conference USA - Tulsa (23-9), UAB (22-10)
These two meet today in a semifinal; so it's an elimination game: The winner has a shot at getting in; the loser gets the NIT.

Missouri Valley - Creighton (26-7), Illinois State (24-9)
Creighton will definitely be sweating come Sunday, with all the upsets and craziness. The Redbirds, however, will likely end up in the NIT.

Mountain West - New Mexico (21-11), UNLV (21-10)
The Lobos are likely out after losing to Wyoming in the quarters, and UNLV fell to San Diego State, a fellow bubble team, in the quarters. Both seemed destined for the NIT.

SEC - South Carolina (21-8), Auburn (21-10), Kentucky (20-12)
Kentucky got to 20 wins with a win over Mississippi, but must run the table to get in. If Auburn can knock off Florida, a fellow bubble team, the Gators could drop back out and Auburn takes their place. South Carolina will also need a few more victories.

West Coast - St. Mary's (25-6)
I'm really waffling on the Gaels. They will also definitely be a sweater come Sunday. How will the committee view this team? Is Patrick Mills really at a 100%? And will this extra game against Eastern Washington come back to help them or hurt them?

Next Bracket: Selection Sunday (March 15) morning; final bracket