Bubble set to burst for big name schools

The odds are against several big name programs making the cut as Selection Sunday nears but Notre Dame may have punched its ticket to the dance on Wednesday night. It’s been a horrible week for teams on the bubble.

Tuesday saw Illinois, Cincinnati, Florida, Minnesota, Louisville, and Georgia Tech suffer losses that could cost them a place in March Madness. This run of bubble misery continued Wednesday as the NCAA tournament hopes of Mississippi State, St Louis, UAB, and biggest of all UConn took major dents. Amidst all this disarray a few opportunistic late-comers look set be dancing when Greg Gumbel announces the field for the tournament on Selection Sunday.

No contender has shocked more than Notre Dame which has mounted an extraordinary late push. Despite the continued absence of Luke Harangody, Mike Brey’s charges have pulled off three huge wins in a row to move from no-hopers to be virtual locks for an at-large berth. After wins over ranked foes Pittsburgh and Georgetown, the Fighting Irish won a crucial bubble game at home to the Huskies on Wednesday night. Even with a loss at Marquette this Saturday, where the Golden Eagles will be home favorites, Notre Dame is almost assured of a bid due to the recent string of disasters hitting other bubble teams.

Wednesday’s result guarantees a losing conference record for Connecticut, meaning the Huskies only hope of making it to March is by winning the Big East’s automatic bid. It’s important to remember that somebody has to get those at-large bids. UConn’s loss will be to Louisville’s gain as despite a heavy loss to Marquette on Tuesday, the Cardinals have just enough breathing room to be assured of a bid. Virginia Tech staked their claim for a bid with victory over NC State on Wednesday.

Sportsbooks will be a hive of activity this Saturday when the Hokies visit Georgia Tech in a winner-takes-all game to decide an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. The other late-chargers look for the last few bids look to be from outside the BCS conferences. A home win over fellow bubble battlers Charlotte on Wednesday helped push Rhode Island into the bracket. San Diego State could make the Mountain West a four-bid conference this season if it wins at last-place Air Force on Saturday. The Aztecs have done little of late to improve their resume but short of Florida shocking Kentucky on Saturday, it probably won’t matter.

The conference tournaments will almost certainly have a disastrous impact for one of the sides currently in the bracket. Who will be this year’s 2008 Georgia or 2009 Cleveland State? If an underdog wins a conference tournament, it will reduce the number of at-large berths. For the best NCAA Basketball odds as the Madness draws near stay with Sports Interaction.