Bubble resumes

For this post, I’ve selected 5 bubble teams and will delve into their resumes. Please note that all things can change, particularly in the last games of the regular season and certainly in the conference tournaments. This is just a quick evaluation of how these teams are doing now. As the conference tournaments get underway, I’ll be looking at at-large resumes for other teams as well as modifying my verdicts on these.

Ohio State (19-9, 9-8)
RPI: 40
SOS: 29
Key wins: Butler, Michigan, Purdue, Minnesota, Penn State
Key losses: Blowout losses to WVU, Purdue, and Illinois
Analysis: The Buckeyes have got themselves a nice record, RPI, and SOS in a tough league, and they seem to have enough wins over fellow bubble teams and a few locks.
Verdict on March 5: IN

Rhode Island (22-8, 11-4)
RPI: 48
SOS: 118
Key wins: Penn State, Temple, Dayton
Key losses: St. Joe’s, lost to all ranked teams they played
Analysis: The Rams have a nice record and RPI, but not a lot of meat on their resume. Despite beating PSU and Dayton, they’ve lost to Duke, Xavier, Providence, Oklahoma State, and Villanova — all teams in the NCAA picture. A bunch of their wins are not noteworthy and the SOS stands out in a bad way.
Verdict on March 5: OUT

Maryland (18-11, 7-8)
RPI: 58
SOS: 18
Key wins: UNC, Michigan, Michigan State
Key losses: Morgan State (RPI 151), BC, FSU, and blown out by Duke, Gonzaga, Georgetown and Clemson
Analysis: The Terps have a decent resume and would have really liked that game against Wake the other night. They’re in trouble but they have to finish 8-8 in-conference and do something in the ACC tournament.
Verdict on March 5: IN, barely

Texas A&M; (22-8, 8-7)
RPI: 35
SOS: 48
Key wins: LSU, Oklahoma State, Texas
Key losses: OU (twice), Kansas, Baylor
Analysis: The Aggies’ resume doesn’t stand out quite as much as their record, but overall their losses aren’t all that bad. Their wins aren’t overwhelming, either. They’re going to be on pins and needles in 10 days.
Verdict on March 5: IN

Providence (18-11, 10-7)
RPI: 69
SOS: 51
Key wins: Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Rhode Island
Key losses: Baylor, Northeastern, St. Mary’s, BC, Georgetown, ND
Analysis: The Friars are essentially the Big East’s last bubble team after Georgetown, Cincy, and Notre Dame all had theirs pop this week. I’d think they have to beat Villanova and/or not crap the bed at Madison Square Garden to get in. They have some great wins and a few of their losses are so-so. Providence got killed by UConn, Notre Dame, Louisville, and West Virginia.
Verdict on March 5: IN