Of the four teams, Syracuse is in the best position to make the tournament, but will probably earn its lowest seed in the past eight years. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Connecticut needs an act of congress to make it… just to the conference tournament. And judging by the way congress has been acting, President Bush has a better chance at getting more funds for war relief. The only hope the Huskies have is to make the conference tournament and snag the automatic bid. Otherwise, they will be playing their postseason ball in Madison Square Garden. Now for the other two teams, they have a puncher’s chance to get an invite. However, they play in two of the toughest conferences in the nation: the ACC and Big Ten.

Duke has North Carolina, Clemson and St. John on the road and Maryland at home. Three of these are winnable games, which would leave their record at 21 wins and 8 losses. Now, with two wins in the conference tournament Duke should get an invite. Their resume isn’t exactly spectacular but quality wins against Boston College, Georgetown, Gonzaga and Air Force will get them consideration and making it to the conference semifinals should put them over the hump. However, if Duke only wins one of the conference games left on their schedule they would have to win the ACC crown and grab the automatic bid to get an invitation.  

Michigan State has Wisconsin and Indiana at home and Wisconsin and Michigan on the road. Two of these are winnable games, which would leave their record at 20 wins, 10 losses. At this point they need set the Big Ten tournament on fire and take the automatic bid. If they don’t take the bid then they have to steal the game at Wisconsin, because they lack a signature win. They are currently sixth in the Big Ten standings and have only one win against the top half of the Big Ten. Actually, Michigan State needs to finish with a four-game win streak and win two games in the Big Ten Tournament to seriously be considered for an invitation.

While the bluebloods have tarnished their image this year, some common folk have created an uprising. Boston College, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Butler and Washington State are straight ballin’. These teams usually achieve moderate success and make mini-runs in the tournament to the Sweet 16, or if they catch fire to the Elite Eight. However, this year these teams might be poised to do a little damage control in the big dance.

Boston College, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin are known for their gridiron glory, not hardwood excellence. The current leaders in the ACC were recruited because their football teams would give life to a one-sided conference. Instead, Boston College and Virginia Tech are giving the conference more than they bargained for, and Wisconsin is starting to steal media attention from the “Thad Five”. However, the regular season was nothing compared to the damage they intend on leaving in the tournament.

BC’s Jared Dudley and Wisconsin’s Alando Tucker might just single handedly “will” their teams to the Final Four. With the exception of Syracuse and Florida, most teams that win the tournament have a star player that embodies the winning qualities: experience, leadership, and heart. Everyone knows experienced wing play takes you deep in the tournament, and these two gentlemen are waiting to take their place among the great experienced guards.

While the princes of the college basketball look to clean up their resumes, the paupers are enjoying their seats and refuse to relinquish them; ironically, the only way to clean up is to avoid the soap and get down and dirty these last two weeks.