Yes, it's been nutty the last few days, now we're finally at the end of the road and we get to see the brackets at day's end. Should we expect the unexpected?


Let's recap Saturday:


-I think we may finally see some cream rising to the top. I can finally say with better certainy that UNC, UCLA and Memphis look very solid as #1's. Doesn't mean I'll pick them; I certainly can't see a team who misses free throws like Memphis getting into the Final Four. I've also been very impressed with Kansas, and Texas. Georgetown could be a darkhorse. We could have a very interesting 2nd week in the tournament this year.

-Coppin State is the first team this year in with a losing record. That could increase to two if Illinois wins today.

-Congrats to Pitt. For a while, I thought they would be in trouble, but they really rose to occasion. I'm dissappointed in Georgetown, but I don't think they'll underacheive in the Dance.

-I'm sorry I missed the epic out of WAC battle. I finally zonked out, missing some key hoops time.

-The Illinois-Wisconsin and Georgia-Arkansas games today pull at your heart strings very tightly. One the one hand, as fan of the Bubble, Illinois and/or Georgia winning takes slots away from possibly more deserving teams. (Although if the Bubble teams were truly deserving, they would not be in the mess they are in right now). On the other hand, to accomplish what they have-winning 4 games in 4 days (Georgia would win 3 in 28 hours or so) is not something to sneeze at.

Which leads me to- what Bubble teams truly deserve to go at this point? Check this article on espn.com for some insight: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bubblewatch

Teams previously on the Bubble who look secure now: Arkansas, Kansas State, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, St.Mary's.

Teams still on the Bubble: Baylor, St, Joe's, South Alabama, Illinois State, Arizona, Ohio State, Villanova, UMass, Va. Tech, VCU, Oregon, Arizona State, Kentucky, Dayton

My opinion? I've created my CSI, or Common Sense Index, and this is who I think will get in, based on my sick common sense. They are (presuming there's only 5 or 6 true spots left):

I think South Albama and Illinois State lead the way despite conference tourney missteps. I find it very hard to accept a team like Arizona St., whose RPI is in the 80's, a team like Arizona who lost 13 games despite playing a ton of top 100 games (and closing poorly). Kentucky's profile isn't looking so hot either, so I think they on the outside. So that leaves Baylor, St. Joe's and Dayton. I may even consider Villanova. As far as the rest? Be glad that i'm not on the Committe. We'll find out later today.