Conference tournament week proved how the last few games can ultimately be the difference if a team goes dancing into March Madness. There were some teams that picked up notable wins to jump into the bracket, while others are feeling regret for not being able to capitalize on prime opportunities.
Virginia Commonwealth Record: 27-6 (15-3). NET Ranking: 31. Quad 1 record: 3-1. Projected seed: No. 11.
Quality wins: at Dayton. Bad losses: vs. Seton Hall (neutral), at Saint Louis. An automatic bid is one game away for Virginia Commonwealth with the Rams securing a spot in the Atlantic 10 championship game.
Vanderbilt Record: 20-12 (8-10). NET Ranking: 47. Quad 1 record: 5-9. Projected seed: No. 11 (First Four).
Quality wins: vs. Tennessee, vs. Kentucky, vs. Missouri. Bad losses: vs. Drake (neutral). On March 1, Vanderbilt beat Missouri and was 20-9 and looking like a team that could be in the top half of the bracket.
Indiana Record: 19-13 (10-10). NET Ranking: 54. Quad 1 record: 4-13. Projected seed: No. 11 (First Four).
Quality wins: at Michigan State, vs. Purdue. Bad losses: at Iowa, at Northwestern. The late surge by Indiana may have been enough for the Hoosiers to play their way into the tournament.
San Diego State Record: 21-9 (14-6). NET Ranking: 52. Quad 1 record: 3-6. Projected seed: No. 11 (First Four).
Quality wins: vs. Creighton (neutral), vs. Houston (neutral). Bad losses: vs. UNLV (twice). San Diego State had a real chance to solidify its spot in the Mountain West tournament, but a one-and-done appearance thanks to a loss to Boise State has put the Aztecs in shaky territory.
Texas Record: 19-15 (6-12). NET Ranking: 39. Quad 1 record: 7-10. Projected seed: No. 11 (First Four).
Quality wins: vs. Missouri, vs. Texas A&M (twice), vs. Kentucky, at Mississippi State. Bad losses: at South Carolina. Did Texas do enough? The Longhorns needed a strong week in the SEC tournament and got quality victories against Vanderbilt and Texas A&M.
Boise State Record: 24-10 (14-6). NET Ranking: 43. Quad 1 record: 3-6. Projected seed: First four out.
Quality wins: vs. Clemson, vs. St. Mary’s (neutral), vs. Utah State, vs. New Mexico (neutral). Bad losses: vs. Boston College (neutral), vs. Washington State. Boise State was 40 minutes away from not having to worry about Selection Sunday, but Colorado State’s hot shooting was too much for the Broncos and now they must wait to see if they make the field.
Xavier Record: 21-11 (13-7). NET Ranking: 45. Quad 1 record: 1-9. Projected seed: First four out.
Quality wins: at Marquette, vs. Connecticut, vs. Creighton.
Bad losses: at TCU, at Georgetown.
The Musketeers had a perfect end of the regular season to get in contention, but needed just one more quality win in the Big East tournament to strengthen its resume.
North Carolina Record: 22-13 (13-7). NET Ranking: 36. Quad 1 record: 1-12. Projected seed: First four out.
Quality wins: vs. UCLA (neutral). Bad losses: vs. Stanford. How much does the selection committee value Quad 1 wins? North Carolina picked up only one in 13 chances.
Ohio State Record: 17-15 (9-11). NET Ranking: 41. Quad 1 record: 6-11. Projected seed: First four
