Conference teams get chance to boost NCAA hopes
With six teams in the top 100 of the RPI, this has been a transcendent season for the Colonial Athletic Association. But judgments are on hold this weekend as the league’s 12 teams undergo a litmus test in ESPN’s BracketBusters.
The series, which began in 2003, matches teams from mid-major conferences and is a key measuring stick as they look to boost their NCAA tournament credentials.
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With all the hosannas coming its way, however, this BracketBuster weekend might have the potential to do more damage than good for the CAA, which has been awarded just three at-large bids in its 30 seasons. Old Dominion coach Blaine Taylor doesn’t see it that way.
“If you get beat, it doesn’t hurt you,” Taylor told reporters. “But if you win, it sure is a shot in the arm.”
| George Mason at Northern Iowa |
| When » Saturday, 7 p.m. |
| Where » McLeod Center, Cedar Falls, Iowa |
| TV » ESPN2 |
With an RPI of 31, ODU (21-6) may have done enough already to deserve an at-large bid. But a loss at home to Cleveland State (21-5), with an RPI of 34, might hurt the Monarchs.
The game, the only BracketBuster matchup on Sunday, should get plenty of viewers, especially considering the performance of Cleveland State guard Norris Cole last weekend. The 6-2 senior garnered national attention for his 41-point, 20-rebound, nine-assist effort against Youngstown State.
“We will get tremendous exposure nationally,” Taylor said.
Another team with plenty at stake is Virginia Commonwealth (20-8). After back-to-back home losses, the Rams, with an RPI 64, would benefit greatly from a victory at Wichita State (22-5), which has an RPI of 48.
With an RPI of 20, George Mason (22-5) already might have an NCAA berth wrapped up. The Patriots get a prime-time Saturday night matchup at Northern Iowa (19-9). The Panthers made a Cinderella run to the Sweet 16 last year, upsetting No. 1 seed Kansas. But with three losses in its last four games, Northern Iowa (79 RPI) needs a victory more than George Mason.
Patriots coach Jim Larranaga sees any opportunity to play on national television as a plus. In 2006, GMU received an at-large bid, in large part because of a BracketBuster win over Wichita State, which also made the tournament.
“A good team is going to lose that day. I don’t think it knocks you out,” Larranaga said. “When it comes to at-large bids, that game may very well be in the forefront of that [NCAA tournament] committee member’s mind. It might have been the only game they saw on television that that particular team played.”
VCU coach Shaka Smart will be among the interested viewers.
“The neat thing about the BracketBuster is at least for one day you get a chance to root for the rest of the league,” Smart said. “I’d love it if we went 12-0.”
