Week 4 (Feb. 11 – Feb. 17)

It’s coming down to the point where teams have to make a move now or suffer the consequence. That consequence: not making it into the NCAA Tournament. Though many of the picks are solidified, there are still gray areas where movement can, and will, be made.

Major conferences: These are the conferences that make up the majority of the at-large bids. Here are Mike N Mike’s picks after four weeks.

A-10:

M.N.M.- Xavier, Rhode Island, St. Joe’s
Work to do- Dayton, Charlotte: The Flyers need to play stellar the rest of the season or their losses will come to haunt them. Charlotte is playing better than anyone in the A-10 and have sparked at the right time.

ACC:

Mike N Mike’s pick- UNC, Duke, Maryland, Clemson
Work to do- Virginia Tech: A loss to the U could hurt the Hokies, but if they can win four of their last six they should be in, they just have to play close with UNC.

Big Ten:

M.N.M.- Michigan St., Indiana, Wisconsin, Purdue
Work to do- Minnesota: The Gophers need to beat at least two of these three games: at Wisconsin, at Purdue and at Indiana. If they can’t do that they’re out, resulting in only four… that’s right, only four teams from the Big 10 in.

Big East:

M.N.M.- Pitt, Georgetown, Marquette, Louisville, UConn, Notre Dame
Work to do- Villanova, Syracuse, Seton Hall, Cincinnati: ‘Nova barely held on against Seton Hall, had they lost that game they would be out. The Irish are playing great ball right now, and if Marquette cannot at least split their last eight games they may be saying bye-bye to an at-large. Hall and Cinci step in after playing great ball, they need to continue and make a big run in the Big East Tournament to be even a remote consideration, but it’s possible.

Big 12:

M.N.M.- Texas, Kansas, Kansas St., Texas A&M
Work to do- Baylor: If the Bears can beat either Texas or Kansas St. at home they will be in for sure. But, remember that there has never been a five seed or lower win the Big 12 Tournament, Baylor is in fifth place right now and they would need to make a deep run in that tourney to get an at-large. Pac-10: M.N.M.- UCLA, Washington St., Stanford, Arizona, USC
Work to do- Oregon: With a win over Cal the Ducks keep themselves in contention. USC couldn’t do much against Washington St. but they still have done enough to hold a spot in the dominant Pac-10. Cal is all but officially out.

SEC:

M.N.M.- Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Mississippi St., Arkansas, Florida
Work to do- Kentucky, Ole Miss: Kentucky is finally playing to their potential but the selection committee will not forget the first half of the season. Ole Miss has been the opposite and after a few disappointing losses they’re on their way out.

Teams moved up in italics Teams moved down are underlined

Two team conferences: These conferences should have two teams in the tournament.

Horizon M.N.M.- Butler Work to do- Wright St. Missouri Valley M.N.M.- Drake Work to do- Illinois St. Mountain West M.N.M- BYU Work to do- UNLV West Coast M.N.M.- St. Mary’s Work to do- Gonzaga

New teams/conference in italics

One team conferences: These are the teams that will win their conference titles and be the only team in the tournament from their respected conferences.

America East: UMBC
A-Sun: Belmont
Big Sky: Northern Arizona
Big South: UNC-Asheville
Big West: Pacific*
Colonial: Virginia Commonwealth*
C-USA: Memphis
Ivy: Cornell
Metro Atlantic: Rider
Mid-American: Kent St.
Mid-East: Morgan St.*
”#”Mountain West: UNLV
Northeast: Robert Morris
Ohio Valley: Austin Peay
Patriot: American*
Southwestern: Alabama St.
Southland: Stephen F. Austin
Southern: Davidson
Summit: Oral Roberts
Sun Belt: South Alabama
Western: Boise St.

*= New team from last week
“#”= Moved to two team conferences

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