For the past decade, BracketBusters has boosted on-the-bubble teams’ NCAA tournament resumes. Here are the best this year: 5. Drexel (17-5, 9-2 CAA) at Cleveland State (18-4, 8-2 Horizon) » Thanks to a win over Vanderbilt, Cleveland State has a chance to receive an at-large bid. Drexel doesn’t have that luxury. Both teams allow less than 60 points a game, so this will be a defensive showdown.
4. Wichita State (18-4, 9-2 MVC) at Davidson (15-5, 9-1 Southern) » The NIT champion Shockers’ demolition of UNLV and a 9-2 stance in a strong Missouri Valley have them in prime position to get an at-large bid, but a win at Davidson would solidify it. Meanwhile, Davidson beat Kansas but needs a top-50 RPI win.
3. Nevada (18-3, 7-0 WAC) at Iona (17-5, 9-2 MACC) » Both teams need an RPI boost and another quality nonconference win to improve their NCAA tournament fate. The Wolf Pack will need a big performance from Deonte Burton (15.5 points a game) to get a road win against the Gaels.
2. No. 18 Saint Mary’s (21-2,10-0 WCC) at No. 10 Murray State (21-0, 9-0 OVC) » If Murray State remains the nation’s only unbeaten team, this matchup could be enticing. The Racers might be 21-0, but they have been dominating the Ohio Valley. Saint Mary’s is on an 11-game winning streak and dominating the West Coast Conference.
1. Long Beach State (16-6, 9-0 Big West) at No. 13 Creighton (20-2, 10-1 MVC) » The odds seem in the Bluejays’ favor playing at home, but the 49ers are used to playing on the road — traveling to Kansas, Louisville, North Carolina and Pittsburgh. Creighton’s Doug McDermott averages 23.5 points and 8.4 rebounds a game.
– Scott Gleeson
