Selection Sunday Primer

With the NCAA Tournament approaching and few words of motivation from my fellow YCS staffers, I am making my long anticipated return here. Of course, it would be favorite conspiracy theory subject: cronyism on the NCAA Tournament selection committee. When looking to see which bubble teams make it and which have to settle for the NIT, here would the guide to see the teams that have a little something in their back pocket.

Kentucky, Florida, Ole Miss: SEC commissioner Mike Slive on the committee. While all three will probably not make it, I expect Slive to hardball for at least two of them, with the former two being the likely benefactors.

Kent State: Their AD Laing Kennedy should ensure the Golden Flashes an at large spot if they need one. Win the MAC tourney, and what should be an 11-12 seed will likely be a 9-10.

Ohio State: While most rational fans want to see as few Big Ten teams as possible, a win over Michigan State this weekend may wrap up a bid for the Buckeyes thanks to AD Gene Smith serving on the committee. The Big Ten always gets the benefit the doubt, and Smith will likely get the job done again.

VCU: Unlike Kent State, I have feeling that last year's Cinderella may need an at large, as they will struggle to get by a desperate and talented George Mason squad playing for their lives. As a parting gift season, 2007 committee chair, Virginia AD Craig Littlepage, saw his Cavs receive an incredibly undeserving four seed. This year's chair, George Mason AD Thomas O'Connor, could receive the parting gift of a Colonial team receiving an at large bid for the third straight season.

New Mexico, UNLV: After receiving the monumental gift of an at large spot for Air Force two years ago, the Falcons actually got snubbed last season. As a return favor, look for Utah AD Chris Hill to potentially get both of these teams in (along with an inflated seed for BYU).

Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon: UCLA AD Dan Guerrero got the job done in getting Stanford an undeserved berth last season, and I look for him to get at least two, if not all three of these teams in this time. In a perfect world, Oregon sweeps the Arizona schools this weekend to get to 9-9 in conference, with the Arizona schools taking care of business at Oregon State. Arizona's 8-10 conference record will be overcome by their top rated SOS.

Villanova: To make up for last seasons screwjob of Syracuse, the Big East may be given a favor in a spot for Villanova. UConn Ad Jeff Hathaway has likely been given his marching orders by Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese, and eight needs to be enough for the mega league.

Of course, there have to be victims to suffer the potentially unfair consequences. Teams like St. Joseph's, UMass, Illinois State, Maryland, and Texas A&M could be the wrong end on the political spectrum here and be out of luck.