On the Bubble: The Lumbering Big’s

Big men undoubtedly dominate the professional ranks, but in the “Big” conferences (Big East, XII, and 10) they are vital. The bashers, the bruisers get filthy points and scrap for the shards off the glass. Names like Hunter and Butch share the post; there is no Love in this paint. The epitome of the “Big’s” big man is Hoya Roy Hibbert. A towering 7’2”, the awkward center lumbers, feet cemented to the court. One question remains, where do these teams whose style of basketball resembles the gridiron-play stand? Here’s the FPS breakdown.

Punched Ticket Already: Big East – Georgetown, Louisville, Norte Dame, Marquette, UConn Big 10 – Indiana, Wisconsin, Purdue, Michigan State Big 12 – Kansas, Texas

Pretty Much In: Big East – Pittsburgh

On the Bubble…

Kansas State (18-9, 8-5) [Big 12] – K-State is guided by prodigy Michael Beasley, who now holds the school record for most games with 30 points or more (11). Beasley wasn’t a one man wrecking crew against Texas, but the Wildcats are sitting pretty for now. They could still use a marquee win, but nonconference losses to George Mason, Notre Dame, Oregon and Xavier aren’t bad. Verdict: K-State needs their dancing shoes shined, they’ll be in

West Virginia (18-8, 8-6) [Big East] – The Mountaineers are currently sixth in the Big East, which appears in position to get at least seven bids. RPI and SOS look decent (both in top 50). WVU best nonconference game was a two-point loss to Tennessee, nothing special. Verdict: WVU doesn’t get Pittsnogled; Huggins turns in another 20 win season with a tourney bid

Oklahoma (18-9, 6-6) [Big 12] – The Sooners top 30 RPI and top 10 SOS are a great resume starter. Out of the conference, Oklahoma lost to Memphis and USC, but also grabbed neutral court wins over Gonzaga and West Virginia. A disappointing three-game skid isn’t a dagger. Verdict: Make it a solid four from the Big XII, Sooners get in

Texas A&M (20-7, 6-6) [Big 12] – The Aggies are mired in a giant mess. After starting the year 15-1, A&M has dropped three straight. Nonconference wins over UTEP, Washington, Alabama and LSU are a collective meh. Boasting top 50 RPI helps, SOS isn’t spectacular. Verdict: Aggies have the inside track; make it five for the Big 12

Syracuse (17-11, 7-8) [Big East] – The Cuse are America’s perpetual bubble team. Again the Orange have strong RPI and SOS rankings, but didn’t do much with a mediocre nonconference slate. Home losses to UMass and Rhode Island are troubling with both teams also in the bubble puzzle. Verdict: TBD, I’m not going to definitively say, until the Orange lose in the Garden

Baylor (18-8, 6-6) [Big 12] – The Bears were in great position to earn a bid a month ago, but then dropped six of seven league games. Right now, they are still in decent position. Wins over Notre Dame and Winthrop are great, their loss to Arkansas, RPI and SOS are on just above par. Verdict: Looks like that five overtime win will be Baylor’s season highlight, tentatively out

Villanova (17-10, 7-8) [Big East] – The Cats have a soft schedule to end Big East play, but are below .500 in the league. RPI and SOS aren’t bad, but Nova’s true stand out games were both controversial losses. Questionable calls didn’t go their way against NC State and Georgetown. Verdict: It’s not the Wildcats year, can someone say NIT?

Ohio State (17-11, 8-7) [Big 10] – The Buckeyes are clearly the fifth best team in the Big 10. Unfortunately, there’s an immense gap between teams four and five. The Buckeyes fell to Indiana, which drops their record to 1-9 against teams in the RPI top 50. Wins over Syracuse and Florida are good for the soul, but not much else. Verdict: Last year’s National runner-up gets left out