For the past several days, bubble teams for the 2008 NCAA Tournament are the main focus of commentators and sports Web sites. Who will make the Field of 65 and who deserves to dance are all of the rage in college basketball right now, but I have a different outlook. I want to bring attention to two teams who DO NOT deserve to make the Big Dance yet are on the "bubble watch."
Arizona State - At 19-12, their record is marginal for an at-large bid, but because they're a from a major conference, you know they will get serious consideration. With an RPI of #83 in the nation, the Sun Devils have easily the worst RPI of all teams being called "bubble teams," and if you look at their out-of-conference schedule, ASU beat up on eight teams not even ranked in the RPI Top 200. Most of Arizona State's big wins came in the Pac-10, and several are impressive, but they still went just 9-9 in conference play and were eliminated early in the Pac-10 Tournament.
Ohio State - Seriously, if these guys get a bid it's purely on name alone. While the Buckeyes have a much better RPI ranking at #49, at 19-13, Ohio State's record is not impressive at all. What is even less impressive is how the Buckeyes responded to their many opportunities to build a NCAA resume. Ohio State played 12 gaes against RPI Top 50 teams and lost 10 of 12 games. Sure, their strength of schedule was solid, but it's obvious that Ohio State did not step it up in enough big games to build a case that is even worthy of consideration. Add in a loss in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals and it shows exactly what can be expected from the Buckeyes. Another loss in a big game.
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Ohio State should be in but Arizona St shouldnt
Ny
Seaside Park, NJ
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