ORGANIZING MORE MADNESS
The cardboard sign that Florida players held up after their final regular-season game summed up the team’s aspirations perfectly: 18-0 and More to Go.
The Gators became the fourth team in the last 15 years to go undefeated in a power conference after an 84-65 victory Saturday against Kentucky. Yet the No. 1 team in the country knows the madness has hardly begun. Florida is one of many teams to quickly reset its sights on the postseason, which continues this week with major-conference tournaments tipping off as early as Tuesday.
Selection Sunday is less than a week away, and there’s much at stake for teams fighting for a trip to the NCAAs and teams trying to rekindle their swagger. USA TODAY Sports’ Scott Gleeson provides a championship week primer for the bubble and seeding debates. FIVE TEAMS WITH SOMETHING TO PROVE
Kentucky: The Wildcats (22-9, 12-6) were No. 1 in the preseason USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll based on a recruiting class that had eight McDonald’s All-Americans. Kentucky probably will finish the regular season unranked after losing three of its last four and struggling to mature at the rate coach John Calipari would like. Julius Randle has been consistent, averaging a double-double. But the decision-making and production in the backcourt — namely Andrew and Aaron Harrison — has been suspect despite steady strides. A strong showing in the Southeastern Conference tournament could significantly boost the Wildcats’ résumé and confidence.
Syracuse: The Orange (27-4, 14-4) locked up a No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, but Jim Boeheim’s group has been under a microscope since its 25-0 start ended. Syracuse lost four of its last six, including two against teams below .500. Jerami Grant, who missed time nursing a back injury during the skid, has been a difference maker — evidenced by his 16 points and eight rebounds Sunday in a win at Florida State. Syracuse’s offense has been vulnerable much of the season, but with Grant in the lineup there’s less pressure on All-America candidates Tyler Ennis and C.J. Fair. It also relieves pressure from long-range specialist Trevor Cooney. It probably will take an ACC tournament title to get a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Michigan State: The Spartans (23-8, 12-6) were bit by the injury bug, and it showed in February when MSU went 3-4 and slid out of consideration for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. But now that coach Tom Izzo has his starting lineup back — Adreian Payne, Branden Dawson and Keith Appling all fought through injuries — it’s a matter of chemistry. The Big Ten tournament is a perfect time to iron out the kinks.
Iowa: The Hawkeyes (2011, 9-9) certainly aren’t playing their best brand of basketball, having lost five of their last six, including a buzzer-beating loss at Illinois to close Big Ten regularseason play. Led by Roy Devyn Marble and Aaron White, this veteran-laden team has a potent offense (fifth nationally in points a game), but its defense has been a different story (ranking 183rd nationally). Clearly, Iowa’s primary concern is confidence, and the Big Ten tournament could be a necessary springboard in avoiding an early exit in the NCAA tournament.
Saint Louis: The Billikens (26-5, 13-3) had their 19-game winning streak end Feb. 27 against Atlantic 10 bottom-feeder Duquesne en route to a threegame losing streak. Saint Louis held on to secure the A-10 regular-season title and won its final game of the regular season at Massachusetts. The secret to this experienced squad’s success has been playing smart and making key plays down the stretch. Saint Louis won’t dominate teams, but getting back to its winning ways in the Atlantic 10 tournament should be a top priority. Dwyane Evans and Jordair Jett are two players who could become March stars.
FIVE BUBBLE TEAMS WITH MOST ON THE LINE
Minnesota: The Gophers (19-12, 8-10) will be a No. 7 seed in the Big Ten tournament and must win their opening-round game and potentially a quarterfinal to secure an at-large bid. Minnesota has a strength of schedule of 5 and RPI of 51, but too many losses, including to lowly Northwestern, could be costly.
California: The Golden Bears (19-12, 10-8), led by do-everything senior guard Justin Cobbs, finished in a five-way tie for third in the Pac-12. After all of the tiebreakers, they are the No. 4 seed in the tournament and will play the winner of Colorado-Southern California. They need to win that game and a semifinal potentially against Arizona to feel safe. Beating Colorado might be enough to get an at-large bid. Cal beat Arizona during the regular season, so a deep run is possible.
Arkansas: The Razorbacks (21-10, 10-8) earned the No. 5 seed in the SEC tournament and will play the winner of South Carolina-Auburn. A loss probably will push them out of the field. A win sets up a make-or-break game against Tennessee. To feel safe, they need to win or at least play the Vols close. A blowout similar to the game Saturday at Alabama might end their hopes of an at-large bid.
Tennessee: The Volunteers (20-11, 11-7) picked up a much-needed win Saturday against fellow bubble team Missouri. An RPI of 42 and strength of schedule of 25 make for strong NCAA tournament credentials. But Tennessee, the No. 4 seed in the SEC tournament, cannot afford a quarterfinal loss based on two résumé-staining losses to Texas A&M.
MUST-WATCH MATCHUPS
Atlantic Coast Conference
Best potential semifinal matchup: No. 2 seed Syracuse vs. No. 3 seed Duke. If each wins its quarterfinal, we could see Round 3 of one of the most exciting showdowns. Round 1 was an overtime classic won by Syracuse at home Feb. 1; Round 2, won by Duke at home Feb. 22, featured Jim Boeheim’s tirade and ejection. (Saturday)
Best championship scenario: No. 3 seed Duke vs. No. 4 seed North Carolina. What could be better? (Sunday) Big 12
Best potential quarterfinal matchup: No. 8 seed Oklahoma State vs. No. 1 seed Kansas. If the Cowboys win their opening-round game, it could set up a rematch of the March 1 showdown won by the Cowboys in court-storming fashion. It also would lend itself to another Marcus Smart-Andrew Wiggins individual matchup. (Thursday) uBest championship scenario: No. 3 seed Texas vs. No. 1 seed Kansas. The teams split the regular-season series, and although the Longhorns aren’t as hot as they were when they beat the Jayhawks on Feb. 1, they have one of the best chances to knock off the regular-season champ on a neutral court. (Saturday) Big Ten
Best potential semifinal matchup: No. 2 seed Wisconsin vs. No. 3 seed Michigan State. Teams with Final Four potential face off, assuming each wins its quarterfinal matchup. The Badgers and Spartans played once in the regular season, with Wisconsin narrowly winning at home. (Saturday)
Best championship scenario: Michigan vs. Michigan State. The in-state rivalry belonged to the regular-season champion Wolverines this season, but it’s always tough to beat teams three times, especially with the third meeting on a neutral court. (Sunday)
Pac-12 Best quarterfinal matchup: No. 7 seed Oregon vs. No. 2 seed UCLA. If the Ducks win their opening-round game against Oregon State, it could set up a pivotal clash of teams trying to climb the NCAA tournament seeding ladder. A Feb. 27 matchup (won by Oregon) went to double overtime. (Thursday) uBest championship scenario: Oregon vs. No. 1 seed Arizona. The Ducks, winners of seven in a row, upset the Wildcats on Saturday, and a rematch could be in the works. (Saturday)
UNDERRATED STARS
Montrezl Harrell, Louisville: The 6-8 sophomore forward has been a steady paint presence for the defending national champion. He continues to blossom while filling a void left by the early departure of last year’s big man, Gorgui Dieng. Harrell is saving the best for last, going for 20 points and 11 rebounds Saturday in a rout of Connecticut and tallying 25 points and 12 re-
bounds March 1 in a win at Memphis
Chaz Williams, Massachusetts: The senior point guard ranks third in the nation in assists (7.1 a game) and is the key on a team that has potential to win the Atlantic 10 tournament and be a dark horse in the NCAAs.
D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera,
Georgetown: The sophomore guard has been an explosive scorer, breaking out for 31 points in a Jan. 4 win against St. John’s. To get to the NCAA tournament, the Hoyas will need to reach the Big East tournament final, and that’ll hinge upon solid production from Smith-Rivera.
Yogi Ferrell, Indiana: The Hoosiers have beaten the Big Ten’s best (Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State), and Ferrell (17.4 ppg, 3.9 apg) was a catalyst in each of those victories. Indiana is at the top of the list for bid thieves this week, and the sophomore point guard could be a driving force in a
surprise title run.
Marcus Foster, Kansas State: Because of the hype surrounding Kansas freshmen Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid, Foster has flown under the radar. He has the potential to take games over and lead the Wildcats on a surprise run. He had 29 points Saturday in a loss to Baylor and 34 Feb. 8 in a loss to Texas.
Cameron Bairstow, New Mexico: The Lobos came up short in a bid for the Mountain West regular-season title, finishing behind San Diego State. But they will get a shot at revenge and a chance to improve their NCAA tournament seeding in the Mountain West tournament. Bairstow, a 6-9 Australian with great footwork, has the potential to lead that type of run.