The CAA is getting more respect. In Joe Lunardi's Bracketology, Hofstra is listed as one of the final four teams out of the tournament. Ok, its not exactly what CAA and Hofstra fans want, but they are seriously in the mix now. In fact, if you are at ESPN Insider, you can check the daily RPI and see that Hofstra is currently 39th, ahead of teams that are supposedly "in the tournament" such as Bucknell, Southern Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas, Arkansas, and UAB. In fact of all the teams in the top 43 of the RPI currently, only Hofstra is considered the only team not in the tournament. Do you think that's right? Simply put with a 22-5 record, a RPI of 39, a 2-1 record vs the top two teams in the CAA that are supposedly in the tournament (George Mason and UNC Wilmington), and considered by many to be in the second best mid major conference, Hofstra deserves to be the third team from the CAA in right now.
On Sunday, Manhattan came from behind and defeated Iona Sunday to win the MAAC regular season championship and earn a double bye into the tournament, where they will face most likely Siena (if they beat St Peters in the second round). Michigan State could have put the final nail in Indiana's at large bid coffin had they defeated the Hoosiers on the road on Sunday, but alas, the Spartans couldn't get the job done and the Hoosiers have another win to curry favor with the committee with.
UConn soundly defeated Villanova and reestablished itself as the team to beat in the Big East come tournament time. Villanova's Curtis Sumpter has been cleared to play the rest of the season if he so chooses or he can stay out and be available next year. Its a very tough decision. He can't be blamed either way on his decision. But if I was him, and I had a chance to win a national championship and I'm most likely the missing piece to the puzzle, which I think Sumpter is, I play. But if he decides to sit out and play next year, which is what coach Jay Wright wants him to do so he can play for his NBA future, its certainly understandable.
Florida State lost badly this weekend, killing their chances to play in the tournament. Alabama clinched theirs with a win over Florida Sunday and UNC keeps rolling along. Meanwhile West Virginia defeated Pitt to basically clinch third place in the Big East. Big win for the Mountaineers who had been struggling as of late.
Tomorrow is March 1st, the official beginning of March Madness. Can't wait!!
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