2009 Conference Tournaments: Why They Have Already Shaken Up the Big Dance

Updated as Of Saturday March 14,2009

It is finally coming!

We are just one day away from Selection Sunday and we have already seen so many teams go down. Whether teams are losing their No. 1 seed bid or the bubble teams are heading to the NIT, everything has been shaken up with the Conference Championships thus far.

No. 1 Seeds

Heading into the tournament, the predicted No. 1 seeds were North Carolina, Pittsburgh, UConn, and Oklahoma getting the last spot, with two or three teams on their tail.

North Carolina

The Heels season is over in the ACC after losing to Florida St. in the semifinal. Yet, I am confident they still get a number one seed just because of the ACC alone, and being the best team talent wise.

Pittsburgh

Even with a loss to rival West Virginia, it is still believed that the Panthers will get a No. 1 seed. They beat UConn twice, on the road and at home, but lost to the Cards the one time they played them. In the end, Pitt probably makes the best case out of the Big East to get the No. 1 seed.

Connecticut

Will the Huskies hold onto their top seed?

After losing the exhausting six overtime thriller to the Syracuse Orange, they hope their case is still strong enough to get a top spot. Their two losses to Pitt and no show in the Big East Championship game don't help their case.

They beat Louisville on the road, who is also chasing after a No. 1 seed. If the Huskies want to assure themselves of getting a No. 1 seed in the tourney, they need to hope for the Cards to go down to the Wildcats of Villanova.

Oklahoma

It surely looks like a lost cause for the Sooners to get a No. 1 seed. After slumping toward the end of the season with losses to Kansas and Missou, a chance at a top seed is dwindling.

With No. 1 Kansas going down, the chance is there for the Sooners to win the Big 12 Title, where they would get a top seed. But after getting upset by the Cowboys of Oklahoma St, the Sooners have officially banked a No. 2 seed in the tourney.

The Contenders

With the recent fallout of three potential No. 1 seeds, including a so-called "contender" in Kansas who wanted to make a case, the door has opened for three teams to claim a No. 1 spot.

Louisville

Everything has gone the Cards' way in the Big East Championship. Both of their competitors, Pitt and UConn, fell in the quarterfinals, opening the door for the redbirds. Nothing is set in stone yet, but winning the Big East Title will grant them a top seed.

Just to be safe, The Cards need to win the Big East Title to ensure that spot.

Michigan State

Those Spartans!

The least likely team to make a case a few weeks ago are getting some chatter now. They were being considered by many people as a potential No. 1 seed, yet it was never discussed by most college fans. But due to the loss of Oklahoma and UConn, the Spartans can surely make a case.

First and foremost, they need to win The Big 10 Conference. Second, they need to hope that the Cards lose in the championship game, enough for the committee not to give them a top seed.

Why?

At 25-5 Michigan St. has the best RPI/Strength Of Schedule out of the teams competing to get a spot. That is one thing the committee loves.

Memphis

Whoa.

The Tigers back again in the top seed picture? There is a possibility of Memphis sneaking into the last No. 1 seed. Like most of the currently predicted No. 1 seeds and their contenders, a loss by Louisville today would increase the Tigers' chances.

You'd figure it would be a fight for the last spot between those three—so how does Memphis get a spot?

I figure that Pitt will hold onto their spot easily, while the committee will give the nod to the Huskies. UNC has been a lock for quite some time, and unless a huge upset occurs, they will have a top spot.

This is going to go down between three teams. Even though it has been said, I can't see The Big East having three No. 1s. If Louisville gets it, UConn is out. If UConn gets it, the Cards are out. The Cards losing today would open up Memphis' hopes.

People are wondering, why would they take Memphis over Michigan St. with the Spartans having such a strong schedule? Hey, the Tigers have about the same record as last year, and they got it. All they have to do is beat Tulsa today, yet it will be a tough challenge. Tulsa is a team who should be on the bubble in the tourney with their schedule, yet they aren't. Look for them to play with more energy then usual.

People crave for Memphis.

The Bubble Teams: Who Is in and Who Is Out?

Over the past week, teams have clinched their spots in the big dance. Along the way, certain bubble teams have been eliminated in their tournaments, while teams such as Cleveland State take away a spot from teams who are trying to get an at-large bid. There are still teams looking to win their conference championships, such as USC, Templs, Baylor. and others. If these guys win, less spots will be avialable for our large group of bubble teams.

Penn State

The Nittany Lions are one of the final teams in the tourney according to many of the experts, which I think will end up true. They might have lost yesterday, however, I do think the committee will give them the nod in.

Michigan

Weeks ago, I thought the Wolverines were a lost cause after going on a slump in the Big East Tourney. They are getting hot at the right time and it's going to save them. With the loss to Providence by Louisville, it opens the gate for Michigan with their hard schedule. The fact they couldnt beat Illinois, who was without one of their key starters, will have to make Michigan wait until Selection Sunday to see if they get in.

Texas A&M

A bubble team for quite some time, the Aggies have had some good quality wins against tournament opponents such as Texas, Oklahoma State, and Missouri. The loss to Texas Tech really hurts them. I do think they have enough quality opponents to get into the Dance.

Minnesota

The Golden Gophers are heading back to the tourney after their hot start. Their slump down the stretch did hurt them, yet after the so-called elimination game with Northwestern they would have the edge if they get a spot. Even though they have a good resume, the loss to Michigan State results in them sweating it out until Selection Sunday.

Providence

The Friars hoped for a win against Louisville, which would have probably given them a nod at an at-large bid. However, after the terrible performance against the Cards, their shot is almost non-existent as they will join Notre Dame at the NIT.

Virginia Tech

Ah, the Hokies are in this position again.

On the bubble and looking for one more good win, it had to come against the Tar Heels. Once again, they lose in heartbreaking fashion. Not getting that one more quality win probably hurts the Hokies once again, as their fate is in the hands of the committee.

Maryland

The Terps are looking to get one of the last bids into the tourney. A win vs. North Carolina was great for their resume, yet it wasnt enough. The big win against Wake however was the win they needed, a win that will get them off the bubble.

Florida

Two years removed from their back to back National Titles, it will be the 2nd striaght year the Gators head to the NIT. After losing in the so called elimination game to Auburn, Florida's hopes of getting back to the Dance are finished.

Kentucky

Just like the Gators, Kentucky will not be dancing into March this season. The loss to top seed LSU ends the hope for the Wildcats, while the fans get their pitchforks ready. Wouldnt want to be Billy right now.

Creighton

It was believed that Creighton had to win their conference tournament to get the automatic bid, as their strength of schedule wasn't as strong as the other teams. Even though they are still being considered, the 18-point loss to Illinois State really hurts their cause. Right now, in my mind, they are out.

Davidson

It is sad, but unfortunately we will not see Stephen Curry in the dance this year.

The Wildcats did play good competition, however, none of them led to wins. Not winning the Southern conference probably eliminates all of their chances of getting in.

But hey, maybe the committee will be biased and give them the nod for the show that they put on last year? I highly doubt it.

It has been a great week thus far in these conference championship. Teams have punched their tickets, while some will have to wait until Selection Sunday to see if they are heading to the dance.

Matt Miselis is a writer for BleacherReport.com