Time is running out for the “Bubble Teams” to impress the selection committee. The regular season is down to just one week for the smaller conferences and a couple for the majors. While all of these teams can assure themselves of a bid should they catch fire and win their respective conference tournaments, the better route to take is to get yourself on the right side of the cut line going in. With that, let’s take a look at some more teams that could make you a mint if they get in and go on a Cinderella run.
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Iowa State Cyclones: 100-1
Don’t look now, but the Clones have caught fire. With Steve Prohm’s kids taking care of business against the Red Raiders in overtime on Monday night, the team has now tallied four straight wins and pointspread covers. The only loss in their last six occurred a game removed from shocking the Jayhawks in overtime to snap their 51-game win streak in the Phog. Deonte Burton is likely one of the best players in the country you’ve never heard of. He can flat out shoot the rock, and when he gets hot, look out! He’s showed up in the Cyclones biggest games, and will no doubt be ready to lead the team in March Madness once they get there. And they will get there!
USC Trojans: 200-1
Arizona, Oregon, UCLA and Cal hog most of the spotlight in the Pac-12. However, Andy Enfield’s Trojans have the size and athleticism to make a deep run and blow everybody’s brackets up as the team most will likely overlook when filling out those brackets. After getting its brains beaten in by the likes of the upper echelon teams in the conference, they’ll be ready to go toe-to-toe with teams from lesser conferences in the Big Dance should the qualify. That looks highly likely with the team already accruing a 21-6 overall record and 8-6 tally in conference play. With Pac-12 dregs ASU, and both Washington schools remaining on the schedule, you can pencil the Trojans in as that 7-10 seed that catches someone by surprise and goes on a run.
Virginia Tech Hokies: 500-1
Though the Hokies have more or less proven to be worthless away from Blacksburg, Buzz Williams’ kids still have a shot at lacing up their dancing shoes for the first time since 2007. That thrilling overtime win over Virginia certainly beefed up the resume, but it still needs at least one if not two premiere wins to all but guarantee itself an at-large bid to the dance. With three of its final four regular season games coming in the confines of its own arena, Seth Allen and company have that opportunity laid right before them. A home win over Miami would likely do the trick, but to assure itself of an easier go of it come Selection Sunday, Clemson must be defeated on Super Tuesday. Should they match up against some weak rebounding opponents that can’t guard the perimeter in the tourney, the Hokies have the roster to make a Sweet 16 appearance.
Monmouth Hawks: 1000-1
This is a team that looked to be a slam dunk to qualify for the Big Dance last season, but lost in the MAAC title game to Iona to ultimately miss out on the festivities. Justin Robinson, Micah Seaborn and Je’lon Hornbeak were all on that team and they just so happen to be the team’s top three scorers this season. Monmouth once again sits atop the conference standings, but isn’t assured of a bid unless it wins their conference tourney. If they so just that and get in, this team could be a giant killer. They almost beat the Gamecocks in Columbia this season and scored wins over UCLA, Notre Dame, USC and Georgetown last season.
Oakland Golden Grizzlies: 2000-1
I’m not exactly sure what happened to Greg Kampe’s Golden Grizzlies in the month of January, but the team looks to be back on track and running extremely well. Since falling to WI-GBY at home as 8-point favorites, Oakland has gone on to win six straight and covered four of those contests. One of those wins came in the form of an 82-71 home beat down of Horizon League leader Valparaiso to sweep the season rivalry from the Crusaders. These teams look headed for a third encounter in the conference tournament, and if they can pull the trifecta, Martez Walker and his mates are going to be a headache for whomever they match up against in the dance.
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