Lunardi's Bracketology shows A10 with 2 bids

[Xpress]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

... and UMASS is hanging-on by a thread @ #13.

Well, at least our Xavier team is currently shown to be squarely in as a deuce.

Once again, the A10 appears to be snathcing defeat from the jaws of victory. It's amazing to think a couple of weeks ago most pundits had 4 and in some cases 5 A10 teams in the Show. I guess you can call it parity between the A10 teams between 2nd and 12th place, but this is really diappointing.

Monumental collapses so far from...
- UD
- URI
- SJU

If there is good news, I think UD, URI, Temple, and SJU are all within triking distance if they can pull together a late run. The RPI# of these three is respectable. For some reason, I actually think Dayton and Temple will pull it off.

By the way, if things would actually play out Lunardi's way, X would have a chance to meet Ol' Fat N Drunk's WVU team in the 2nd round. Maybe he'd wear the bananna suit for that game. LOL.

[payday]

I noticed that the Washngton DC pod that Lunardi has Xavier in has moved from the Midwest Region (Detroit) to the East region. How does that happen?

Looking way ahead, I'd hate to face UNC in Charlotte for a chance to go to San Antonio.

[XU 87]

UMass has a 13 seed but is not listed as the one of the last 4 in. So at least according to Lunardi, they're safe.

[TheX-Man]

One thing to keep in mind regarding his projections is that it assumes the conference leaders win their respective tourneys (i.e. Drake, Butler, Memphis). Since form rarely holds, that will eliminate a handful of at-large spots for bubble teams. Plus, I think he is just off base on some of his projections anyway. Virginia Tech? Why? They are 0-5 versus the RPI top 50, 4-8 versus the top 100.

Lunardi has both New Mexico and UNLV in his field. Those two teams play each other tomorrow night (on CSTV if anyone is interested). The loser of that game is on VERY shaky ground, especially if it is New Mexico as they will have lost twice to both UNLV and BYU.

Bottom line, it's still early and there is a lot of games yet to be played. I would not have believed it a week ago after they lost to XU, but I still think Dayton has a chance at an at-large bid. If they win their last two, they would be 20-9 heading into the A10 tourney with two nice wins over Pittsburgh and Louisville. I think UMass is safe as long as they take care of business and win the two winnable games they have this week.

[bluegrass]

Jerry Palm has 3 A10 teams with St.Joes one of the last 4 in.I assume UMASS was the other one.

[muskieman]

UMass has a 13 seed but is not listed as the one of the last 4 in. So at least according to Lunardi, they're safe.

Lunardi said the other day that there is a lot of room for shakeup in the last 12 teams in and out. I am sure they are looking for ways to get give the A-10 only 1 or 2 bids. If X wins out and takes the tourney there will be a Bilasian cry that the Big East or ACC deserves more teams.