Will Eight Make Playoffs

North Carolina came into the ACC tournament sneaking in getting the eighth seed while playing the last two weeks of the season on the down swing.  N C State is coming in on the upswing .  Most of the last month the bracketologist would tell State's RPI they won't make the tournament next week.

The Latest conference RPI has the SEC as the top conference but only by a hair over the ACC.  Experts say the SEC gets nine teams in the tournament.  If the ACC is only a hair behind the SEC then the ACC should at least get eight teams in right.   If that's the case North Carolina despite being 1-2 in the ACC tournament should be in?  State after their win over Notre Dame has moved up to 36 in the RPI and tonight they play the new number one in Miami.  Even if they lose tonight to Miami their RPI will go up a point or two, should they win they might jump to the top 30.Can any team in the top 30 be left out of the NCAA playoffs?

Losing to both Louisville and Florida State who are both in the top 15 of the RPI Carolina has been able to hang in the top 28 despite losing more than winning the last two weeks.   Carolina's two losses they can no longer win the tournament.  I would suspect the DBAP will be full tonight as the Wolfpack plays for the chance to win their bracket against Miami.

Should the Wolfpack win over Miami they have to hope Notre Dame beats Virginia Friday morning.  Here is where this round robin format can be fishy.  If State beats Miami, Virginia beats Notre Dame and then beats State Saturday night then Virginia can with the bracket if Miami loses to Notre Dame.  If State, Miami and Virginia  all finish 2-1 and Notre Dame is 0-3 then Miami wins any three way tie  tie breaker.

This baseball season has been very similar to the basketball season when it seems last place just might win any night.  The middle of the pack basketball teams did very well during the basketball tournament and there is no reason to think baseball will not do the same.

Last night in Clearwater Florida ECU beat Tulane 3-1 and the Pirates and Houston are the only two undefeated teams left after two games.  First year coach Cliff Godwin after a slow start in early February and March has the Pirates rolling now.  They are in the top 31 of the RPI and should be a lock come Monday when the baseball selection show airs.