In most years, an 18-12 team with only one victory over a team in the top 50 of the RPI would be on the outside looking in.
This year, that team would probably be in the NCAA tournament if it started today.
That team, of course, is Maryland, and the Terps actually aren't the last team into this field. If there was ever a year to tempt fate as a middle-of-the-road college basketball team, this is it. Maryland fans howling about their postseason plans possibly being messed up should remember they would have resorted to duck-and-cover a long time ago in most years.
There will be two things no one should tolerate hearing on Selection Sunday. One, arguments for tournament expansion. A 72-team field (or bigger) would be like adding a round of the NIT to the NCAA tournament, at least this year. Two, gripes from anyone who was left out. It's almost unfathomable that anyone could feel legitimately slighted this season.
(Please note: No teams have been bolded during the construction of this bracket).
EAST REGION
Raleigh, N.C.
(1) ACC/North Carolina vs. (16) SWAC/Alabama State-SOUTHLAND/Lamar
(8) West Virginia vs. (9) Texas A&M
Denver
(4) Michigan State vs. (13) SOUTHERN/Davidson
(5) Vanderbilt vs. (12) Arizona State
Birmingham, Ala.
(3) BIG EAST/Georgetown vs. (14) OVC/Austin Peay
(6) WCC/Gonzaga vs. (11) Florida
Anaheim, Calif.
(2) Stanford vs. (15) BIG SKY/Portland State
(7) MOUNTAIN WEST/Brigham Young vs. (10) Oklahoma
SOUTH REGION
Birmingham, Ala.
(1) SEC/Tennessee vs. (16) MEAC/Morgan State
(8) Southern California vs. (9) Baylor
Tampa, Fla.
(4) Notre Dame vs. (13) SUMMIT/Oral Roberts
(5) Indiana vs. (12) Maryland
Washington, D.C.
(3) ATLANTIC 10/Xavier vs. (14) ATLANTIC SUN/Belmont
(6) Washington State vs. (11) Villanova
Raleigh, N.C.
(2) Duke vs. (15) AMERICA EAST/UMBC
(7) MVC/Drake vs. (10) Kansas State
MIDWEST REGION
Little Rock, Ark.
(1) CONFERENCE USA/Memphis vs. (16) BIG SOUTH/UNC Asheville
(8) St. Mary's vs. (9) Massachusetts
Denver
(4) Purdue vs. (13) Kentucky
(5) Marquette vs. (12) Virginia Tech
Washington, D.C.
(3) Louisville vs. (14) MAAC/Siena
(6) Mississippi State vs. (11) Arizona
Omaha, Neb.
(2) Kansas vs. (15) PATRIOT/American
(7) Miami vs. (10) MAC/Kent State
WEST REGION
Anaheim, Calif.
(1) PAC-10/UCLA vs. (16) NEC/Robert Morris
(8) SUN BELT/South Alabama vs. (9) Arkansas
Tampa, Fla.
(4) Connecticut vs. (13) IVY/Cornell
(5) HORIZON/Butler vs. (12) CAA/Virginia Commonwealth
Omaha, Neb.
(3) BIG TEN/Wisconsin vs. (14) WAC/Boise State
(6) Clemson vs. (11) Illinois State
Little Rock, Ark.
(2) BIG 12/Texas vs. (15) BIG WEST/Cal State Northridge
(7) Pittsburgh vs. (10) UNLV
Last four in: Villanova, Virginia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland
Last four out: Saint Joseph's, Syracuse, Rhode Island, Mississippi
Next four out: UAB, New Mexico, Western Kentucky, Temple
Moving in: Arizona State, UNC Asheville, Virginia Tech
Moving out: Saint Joseph's, Syracuse, Winthrop
Multi-bid leagues: Big East (8), Big 12 (6), SEC (6), ACC (6), Pac-10 (6), Big Ten (4), Atlantic 10 (2), Missouri Valley (2), Mountain West (2), West Coast (2)
--- Patrick Stevens
