Bearded Bracketology

As selection Sunday nears, everyone is asking the same questions, who's in and who's out. But quite frankly I find none of Lanardi's last four in and last four out to matter because they change literally everyday. But since some of you want to know and have asked for my take on things, it's time for some Bearded Bracketology. Let's do this...

Teams In: Three teams that went from my bubble or even out of the dance that have played their ways in the tournament and pretty much can't play their ways out:
Georgia: 19-9 (8-6) 35 RPI, 27 SOS, 3-9 vs RPI top 50
They are a team that seem to be randomly having a good year, but with a good season and some pretty good resume numbers, Georgia will be dancing.

Kansas State: 21-9 (9-6) 22 RPI, 6 SOS, 3-6 vs top 50
The way they were struggling I thought they were going to be a huge disappointment with high preseason expectations, but with recent huge wins over Kansas and Texas and the Wildcats taking care of business verse bad teams, they find themselves safely in the tournament.

Michigan State: 16-12 (8-8) 40 RPI, 5 SOS, 2-8 vs top 50
I said a few weeks ago I didn't think they'd make it, because I honestly thought any tough game they'd lose and they were playing so poorly it looked as though the team has given up. But now they're playing witha purpose and look like a dangerous team.

Last Four In:
Michigan 18-12 (8-9) 57 RPI 23 SOS 2-8 vs RPI top 50
I feel like they have some more work to do, make some noise in the Big Ten Tournament, but if selection day was today, the Wolverines would be in. A team that had zero expectations to start this season, the fact they are even on the bubble is a testamant to John Beilein's great coachign job this year.

Memphis: 21-8 (9-5) 34 RPI 42 SOS 5-4 vs top 50
Sure, they play in a weak conference that they aren't going to win, but those numbers are good, and if it were an ACC team with those numbers, then they'd be in for sure. Memphis gets the nod.

Colorado: 18-11 (7-7) 77 RPI 82 SOS 5-6 vs top 50
Those numbers aren't spectacular, but the 5-6 vs the top 50 is impressive. They are in right now, but I think the winner of the season finale between Colorado and Nebraska determines which of these two will go to the dance.

Richmond: 22-7 (11-3) 62 RPI 170 SOS 1-3 vs top 50
I love the RIchmond Spiders, the SOS is weak but I feel that they are a solid team deserving of a NCAA bid.

First Four Out:
Alabama: 19-10 (11-4) 87 RPI 156 SOS 2-3 vs top 50
Ignore the record and look at strength of schedule. With an SOS that weak you cannot afford to be in "bubble talk" because you won't get in. Bama does not deserve a bid, they can help themselves by beating Georgia, but they should not be dancing.

Nebraska: 19-10 (7-8) 72 RPI 59 SOS 3-6 vs top 50
They are a win over Colorado away from dancing, this was a tough cut but right now, I have them out.

Baylor: 18-11 (7-8) 78 RPI, 48 SOS, 2-5 vs top 50
Beat Texas and you'll be in, but honestly, nothing about Baylor has impressed me this year. No dance for you!

Clemson: 19-9 (8-6) 69 RPI 108 SOS 2-4 vs top 50.
That SOS is very weak, but they are a win over Duke away from playing themselves into the tournament. But otherwise, they haven't impressed me enough to get into the big dance.