Projo Sports Blog

Can you hear it? It’s that time of year and the nearly inaudible sound of bubbles popping is in the air.
Among the top teams to have to worry about not making the Big Dance is Clemson. Early in the season the Tigers looked to be a lock for the NCAA tourney, the first time since 1998 but before the day began they needed a first round win against Florida State or many felt they’d be left out again. The Seminoles, looking to for an invite themselves, clinched the win when Al Thornton (25 points, 11 rebounds) hit a free throw with 1.5 seconds left to play, giving Florida State a 67-66 win and a chance at the dance. Clemson however won’t be so lucky on Selection Sunday.
Also in the ACC, the lowly Miami Hurricanes almost squandered a 15-point lead but held on to take out 17th-ranked Maryland. While the Terps will almost certainly still get a bid, their not having the chance to win the title might just knock out another deserving bubble team.
Another team leaving doubts in the minds of those on the tournament selection committee is Syracuse. Losing to Notre Dame Thursday didn’t help their cause any and Jim Boeheim’s track record may not be enough to get the Orangemen (21-9, 10-6, RPI 50) into the tourney this year.
With teams like Wright State beating 15th-ranked Butler for the Big South title it makes it that much harder for teams like Bob Knight’s Texas Tech squad to get an invitation. The Red Raiders are seeded fifth in the Big 12 Tourney and a win against Colorado in the first game should put them over the top depending on the number of other upsets in other conferences late this week. Even so, if Knight’s team wins it sets up a match up with Kansas State and Bob Huggins’ Wildcats a game that could insure an invite for Texas Tech with a win.
With the Madness just getting into full-swing, teams like Stanford, Alabama and Arkansas could all get left out when the dust settles Sunday. Once the brackets are announced the decibel level of the teams left out should increase markedly.

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