Scramble Begins to Grab One of 64 Tournament Bids

Attention, attention: March begins next week. Start photocopying those blank brackets. Start memorizing who’s on the bubble and do it on the double. The NCAA tournament field doesn’t exist just yet, but every night it comes a little more into focus. Here’s a quick look at who’s in, who’s close and who’s learning how to say “NIT” through gritted teeth:

Locks (31): Massachusetts, Virginia Tech (Atlantic 10), Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, North Carolina (Atlantic Coast), Connecticut, Georgetown, Villanova, Syracuse, Boston College (Big East), Kansas, Iowa State (Big Eight), Purdue, Penn State, Indiana, Iowa (Big Ten), Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, Marquette (Conference USA), Bradley (Missouri Valley), UCLA, Arizona, Stanford, California (Pac-10), Kentucky, Mississippi State, Arkansas (Southeastern), Texas Tech, Texas (Southwest), Utah (Western Athletic).

Close (10): Duke, Maryland (ACC), Temple (A-10), Providence (Big East), Oklahoma (Big Eight), Michigan (Big Ten), Tulane (CUSA), Tulsa (MVC), South Carolina (SEC), New Mexico (WAC).

Invitations Awaiting Names (20): The champions of these conferences: Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Continent, Mid-Eastern Athletic, Midwestern Collegiate, North Atlantic, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern Athletic, Sun Belt, Trans America, West Coast.

All of which brings us to the bubble, the teams hoping to get hot while hoping someone ahead of them gets cold. Illinois (16-9, 5-8) began the season 11-0 and it’s been a struggle ever since. The Illini must win its next three games (t against Purdue, Iowa, at Indiana, Michigan) to have a chance. College of Charleston (22-3) has lost only to Syracuse, Connecticut and Southeast Louisiana. But the Cougars aren’t eligible for the Trans America title. They have won bids in two of the last three seasons. George Washington (16-5, 9-2), left on the bubble a year ago, committed the unpardonable sin Sunday. The Colonials lost to LaSalle (6-19, 3-9), which has an RPI rating so low (169) you need a telescope to see it. A 4-1 finish is a must and a possibility--the schedule, save last Saturday’s game at No. 1 UMass, isn’t bad.

The Manhattan Projects (3): Last season, the committee stuck its neck out for Manhattan, which dominated the MAAC but lost in the league tournament. The Jaspers rewarded with a first-round upset of Oklahoma.

This season, three mid-level giants are candidates to survive a league-tournament upset and usurp the tournament slot of a big-name school. Santa Clara (18-7, 9-4) of the West Coast Conference has victories over UCLA and Georgia Tech. The Broncos are the hosts of the league tournament but those two victories give them a safety net. Wisconsin Green Bay (23-2, 15-0) received its first-ever Associated Press ranking last week, getting the 25th-spot. The Phoenix’ only losses have come against Kentucky and Marquette. Eastern Michigan (20-3, 13-2) owns the Mid-American and has the only win over No.9 Texas Tech (22-1), which looks better and better every week.

Should any one of those three teams lose in its conference tournament, they may cost a team such as Illinois, George Washington or Tulane a bid. Likewise, should one of the major-conference tournaments be won by a team that otherwise wouldn’t receive a bid, that will leave one more team on the bubble.

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North Carolina Coach Dean Smith and Clemson Coach Rick Barnes are becoming the Holyfield and Bowe of college basketball. Last week, the pair renewed their year-old feud under almost the exact same circumstances under which it began. In each case, Smith scolded a Clemson player for over-aggressive defense. But after ACC Commissioner Gene Corrigan interviewed the participants Tuesday, he decided against disciplinary action. Smith also agreed he wouldn’t do it again.

Last year, during the ACC tournament, Smith shouted at Tigers forward Iker Iturbe. With an official between them, Barnes and Smith got into a, shall we say, heated discussion at the scorer’s table. The league fined each coach $2,500 for the episode.

Last week, during the Tar Heels’ 53-48 victory over the Tigers, Smith upbraided Clemson guard Bill Harder for his jersey-grabbing. According to the Raleigh News & Observer, Smith said, “You’re a better player than that. Move your feet.” Harder said Smith called him a “dirty player,” which the coach denied.

Smith is a 35-year coaching legend, but he can’t coach more than one team at a time. Barnes is finding Big East-style defense isn’t appreciated in the ACC. To his credit, Barnes has refused to give Smith any leeway.

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When No. 3 Connecticut (24-2, 14-1) lost 77-65 to Georgetown, it ended the Huskies’ pursuit of the first Big East Conference unbeaten record. However, seven schools remain unbeaten (before Tuesday night) in league play: No. 1 Massachusetts (Atlantic 10), No. 2 Kentucky (Southeastern), No. 9 Texas Tech (Southwest), No. 25 Wisconsin Green Bay (Midwestern Collegiate), Charleston (Trans America), Davidson (Southern) and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (American West). The last team, the Mustangs, qualify as a major surprise. Cal Poly SLO went 1-26 last season, its first in Division I. This year, the Mustangs are 15-10, 5-0 in their four-team conference. However, they won’t qualify for the NCAA tournament. The league doesn’t get an automatic bid.