March Madness 2011: What Teams Are Rising/Falling Heading into the Tournament?

With Selection Sunday one day away, the time is almost here as March Madness 2011 is ready to begin.

This week has been "do or die" for many of the teams looking for a bid in this year's tournament.

There were also many teams vying for high seeding and hoping to use their conference tournaments as a way to boost their resumes.

The tournament picture is becoming much clearer by the day, but what teams are really hurting heading into Selection Sunday?

Here is my list of teams that are rising and falling heading into the tournament.

I am a Featured Columnist for B/R. Normally an NFL columnist, I am taking the next few weeks to write about the tournament.

Follow me on twitter: twitter.com/MattMiselis.

Syracuse Orange: Rising

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: Scoop Jardine #11 of the Syracuse Orange handles the ball agaisnt the Connecticut Huskies during the semifinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Square Garden on Ma

Despite losing to Connecticut in the Big East semifinals, I believe the Orange are in a good position.

This team is beginning to come together at the right time. Seniors Scoop Jardine, Rick Jackson and Kris Joseph are using their experience to help this team in crunch-time games.

Brandon Triche continues to make strides as a player, while CJ Fair, Dion Waters and Fab Melo continue to find their roles in the lineup.

The Big East brings the best out of teams like Syracuse, who will be a threat as a likely No. 3 seed in the tournament.

Villanova Wildcats: Falling

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 08: Corey Fisher #10 of the Villanova Wildcats shoots a free throw against the South Florida Bulls during the first round of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Square Garden

The Villanova Wildcats will enter the tournament as a team having lost confidence and will watch their season slowly evaporate away.

Coming off a brutal end to their regular season, the Wildcats were stunned in the first round of the Big East tournament by South Florida.

The Wildcats are a talented bunch and should not have to worry about receiving a low seed in the tournament because of their struggles the last few weeks.

It doesn't seem the road in March will be pretty for Villanova.

Alabama Crimson Tide: Rising

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 11: JaMychal Green #1 and Trevor Releford #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate after drawing a foul during the quarterfinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 11, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by

The Alabama Crimson Tide saved their season Friday night with a win over the Georgia Bulldogs.

Down by 14 points in the second half, Alabama forced overtime with Georgia and in the end pulled out the victory.

Though their overall body of work isn't the strongest, the Tide are close to earning a berth in the tournament due to their 12-4 record in the SEC and wins over Kentucky and Tennessee.

Georgia Bulldogs: Falling

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 11: Sherrard Brantley #23 of the Georgia Bulldogs gets tripped up during their game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the quarterfinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at Georgia Dome on March 11, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (P

The Georgia Bulldogs' stunning loss of Alabama likely means the end of their 2011 season.

In a battle of two bubble teams, it was elimination for whichever team lost.

When the selection committee looks at Georgia on Sunday, it doesn't help to see a 14-point lead in the second half was lost in the process.

In the end, the win was needed to help improve their chances of making the tournament, which did not happen on Friday.

Michigan State Spartans: Rising

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 11: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts against the Purdue Boilermakers during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 11, 2011 in Indianapolis, India

The Michigan State Spartans have been a disappointment in the regular season, no doubt about it.

That doesn't mean, however, they are a team no one fears.

The Spartans rout of rival Purdue likely clinched a berth in this year's tournament.

I've been a believer of Tom Izzo's squad, even during the rough points of the season. They have senior leadership and a head coach who has great experience in the tournament.

If the Spartans begin playing like the team that was expected the entire season, don't be surprised to see another run made by the Big Ten's finest.

Connecticut Huskies: Rising

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Shabazz Napier #13 and Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters

The UConn Huskies have seen their stock rise the most during championship week.

Playing in the Big East is tough enough, but to win four games in four days? No one saw that coming.

Kemba Walker has continued to make his case for National Player of the Year, carrying his team to three straight victories over ranked teams (Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Syracuse).

The Huskies are playing at their highest right now, and a trip to Houston could be in the future if this play continues.