Last Eight In: Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Boise State, Purdue, Florida State, Florida, Colorado, Syracuse
First Eight Out: Pittsburgh, Wichita State, Colorado State, VCU, Georgia State, NC State, Maryland, Oklahoma
Normally by mid-January, the tournament picture is a little bit clearer than it is now. But with fewer games being played, things can change very quickly. A team like Kentucky was just 1-6 not that long ago. Now they are 4-6 and a perfect 3-0 in SEC play. The Wildcats have found a way to turn those close losses into close wins. With 15 scheduled games left, including a non-conference affair against Texas later this month, the Wildcats can still make a lot of noise. And they can win an SEC title too, which would almost have to put them into the tournament. But for now Kentucky is 4-6 with an RPI around 100 and do not even make our “First Eight Out.” Do not be surprised though if a 6-6 Kentucky sneaks into that list next week.
ACC: Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech
American: Houston, Tulsa
Big East: Connecticut, Creighton, Seton Hall, Villanova, Xavier
Big 12: Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, West Virginia
Big Ten: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, Wisconsin
Pac-12: Colorado, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC
SEC: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, LSU, Missouri, Tennessee
A-10: Richmond, Saint Louis
CAA: Northeastern
C-USA: Western Kentucky
Horizon: Cleveland State
MAC: Bowling Green
MVC: Drake
MWC: Boise State, San Diego State
WCC: Gonzaga
America East: Vermont
A-Sun: Liberty
Big Sky: Southern Utah
Big South: Winthrop
Big West: UC Irvine
Ivy League: Yale
MAAC: Siena
MEAC: Norfolk State
NEC: Bryant
OVC: Belmont
Patriot: Colgate
Southern: Furman
Southland: Stephen F. Austin
Summit: South Dakota State
Sun Belt: Georgia State
SWAC: Southern
WAC: New Mexico State