Jerry Palm is a nationally known college basketball analyst for his ability to successfully predict which 65 teams will be invited to the
NCAA Tournament. Palm, who works for
CBS Sports, has been following college basketball for nearly two decades. Palm, who is regarded as an expert in analyzing the Ratings Percentage Index ? a formula predicated on wins and losses that is used to rank all 341 Division I teams ? is the owner, publisher and editor of
CollegeRPI.com and
CollegeBCS.com.
Jim Williams: What are the chances of Maryland, UMBC and Morgan State each making the NCAA Tournament?
Jerry Palm: I have to tell you that Maryland is driving me crazy. I want to put them in the field, but they really need at least a couple of wins at this week?s ACC Tournament to have a chance at getting in. The Clemson loss at home two weeks ago could be the game that cost them the bid. As of right now, I think the ACC will get five teams in with North Carolina, Duke and Clemson locks. So that leaves Maryland, Virginia Tech and Miami playing for the final two spots. I really think that fans in Baltimore should be proud of both UMBC and Morgan State ? they are two of college basketball?s “feel good” stories. They both should win their tournaments this week and move on to the NCAA field.
JW: What conference is the strongest?
JP: The Pac-10 will have the most teams in the NCAA Tournament for the size of the conference. The Big East, Big 12, and SEC will be right behind. The Big Ten and the ACC should get five in the tournament. That is, however, misleading. I do think that from top to bottom that the ACC is the best conference overall with any team in the league capable of winning on any given night. That should make for a great conference tournament and, most of all, for Maryland fans a reason for hope.
JW: Who are your favorites and sleepers in the NCAA Tournament?
JP: I like North Carolina, Memphis, Kansas and either Tennessee or UCLA as the one seeds. As for the teams that I would not want to face in the first round, they would be Davidson, Virginia Commonwealth, Southern California, Alabama-Birmingham and providing they make it, I think that UMBC and Morgan State both could steal a win in the first round.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on www.examiner.com.
