Joe Lunardi

  (2:58 PM)

Ready to roll, folks. You've got me until 3:45 p.m. ET.

Ryan (AZ)

Joe - I see that Gonzaga and BYU are the "kings" out west, but are both seeded a four. If they win out their respective conferences, who has the nod at receiving a higher seed and a likely Spokane/SLC destination? Thanks

Joe Lunardi

  (2:59 PM)

BYU cannot play in Spokane (it's a Friday/Sunday site). We're actually making that adjustment right now.

Ryan Jacobs (Lubbock, Texas)

Hey Joe, I think it is very obvious who is a legit team deserving of an NCAA bid and who should be playing in the NIT. When a team on the "bubble" goes on the road against a projected NCAA tournament team and gets takin to the shed, a red light should go off saying NIT. This goes for Texas Tech and you heard me say it North Carolina. The Red Raiders have been phenominal at home, but have just been blown out when playing quality opponents on the road. The same goes for the Tar Heels who have beaten an excellent Michigan State team at home, but also got blown out against Clemson and Syracuse when playing away from the Dean Dome. But, a team like Wake Forest hangs around and competes in Cameron Indoor that screams NCAA. Tell me what you think about my theory.

Joe Lunardi

  (3:01 PM)

This is why we invented the "LunaRPI," Ryan, measuring only road and neutral games. It's also very handy when it comes time to pick your brackets (for amusement only!!).

T (Cuse)

I havent seen your new bracket yet, but yesterday you tweeted that there was no change in the top 4, so I will trust you didn't change your mind. Why do you have Cuse as a 4 instead of Nova? You didn't even really consider them last week in your debate between the Orange and Purdue. Mind you, Im a Cuse fan, so I like it, I just wondered the rationale.

Joe Lunardi

  (3:04 PM)

This is a "level of play" determination. Pretty much every possession-based measure, as well as our Adjusted Scoring Margin, has Syracuse far ahead of the Wildcats. Not a popular decision in my home town, as you might imagine.

ds466829 (la)

N'western nowhere on your list yet ? Not even last out.

Joe Lunardi

  (3:05 PM)

The Wildcats aren't good enough, plain and simple. And, even with the weekend upset of Purdue, they are just 2-3 in the Big Ten. That's not going to get it done.

Chris (Missoula, MT)

Joe,What are your thoughts about a possible expansion of the tourney? Should it go to 128 teams? I say no.

Joe Lunardi

  (3:05 PM)

way, Way, WAY too many....

Old Coach (West Lafayette, IN)

Staying for the entire hour today?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:06 PM)

Have to leave for ESPN News at 3:45 p.m. ET.

Leo (Minneapolis)

What would Minnesota have to do in the rest of the season to make it in to the tournament?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:07 PM)

Let's start by winning a road game....

Matt (Bowling Green, KY)

How do you pick the Sun Belt champion? Is it just random from week to week?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:07 PM)

Check out the FAQs, Matt. The current conference leader is always listed or, in the case of ties, the team with the best InsideRPI.

Chris (Abilene, TX)

I see you currently have Texas A&M as an 8 seed. Shouldn't you have them as a 9 seed vs BYU? I thought that was mandatory. Maybe I'm confused.

Joe Lunardi

  (3:08 PM)

Good one, Chris!

Rodney (Madison)

How will the selection committee view Wisconsin's losses without Leuer? Will they factor in the injury or treat it like any loss?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:10 PM)

Depends on how they play if/when he comes back. See the Ohio State/Evan Turner example as a comparison. Because the Buckeyes have again been so good in Turner's return, most of what occurred without him is forgotten. Leuer and the Badgers would have to demonstrate a similar re-adjustment.

Michael (Kentucky)

Kentucky hasn't beaten a really good team and they won't get a chance given how weak the SEC is. How does Kentucky deserve to be a number 1 right now?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:12 PM)

You're joking, right? There are 347 Division I basketball teams in this country and only two are undefeated. No, the 'Cats haven't play a superb schedule, but they've played a good one and are more than deserving of their current status.

Ben (Chicago)

Any thoughts on Marquette? 2-3 in conference but those 3 losses could have gone the other way as they lost by 2 or 3 in the games against Nova and WV. I know they are a young team but will they go anywhere this season?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:13 PM)

I actually gave serious thought to putting Marquette in this week's bracket because of the close losses you mention. As it stands, Marquette is on the "First Four Out" list (so it wouldn't take much for them to move up!).

John (NY)

Joe, how many losses would it take to keep UNC out of the big dance?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:15 PM)

It's getting close to time to have to answer this question (but not quite!). I wouldn't want to be a Carolina fan, however, with less than a 10-6 ACC record.

David (Nashville)

Nice to see the spike in seeding for Vanderbilt - very dangerous team.

Joe Lunardi

  (3:15 PM)

Agreed....

Phil (Charlottesville)

Joe-You have Virginia in the field as of today, but do you think this will hold true come selection time?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:17 PM)

I'd say one chance in three, Phil. The past is littered with major conference teams who benefitted from a soft schedule at the start of league play. Still, UVa is ahead of the curve just being in the conversation at this point.

John (Birmingham, AL)

What does C-USA have to do to get two teams into the Tournament. (coming from a UAB fan)

Joe Lunardi

  (3:18 PM)

Best-case scenario is a runaway regular-season title for UAB and then another team winning the C-USA tournament.

Jason (Iowa)

Joe, do you know when the Bracket Buster pairings will be released?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:18 PM)

Usually the last Monday of January, three weeks before the games are scheduled. Anything you'd like to see, Jason?

jason (louisville)

big 10...5-1 against big east, 4-2 against SEC but more teams from both conferences get in?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:19 PM)

You know the drill, Jason. We're evaluating individual teams, not conference strength. Plus, the SEC and (especially) Big East have more teams to choose from.

Chris (Mt Carmel TN)

How is Tennessee not a 2 seed?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:20 PM)

Over whom??

Mike (Amityvilly NY)

Ny chance for a Siena at large bid? Or did they hurt themselves too much out of conference?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:22 PM)

It's not that Siena hurt itself; it's that they didn't capitalize on numerous chances against NCAA-level teams. I think it's less than 50/50 they'd get an at-large bid (as opposed to last season). And, in a way, it hurts to have the MAAC tournament at home. A loss there is almost necessarily a "bad" one. Make sense?

Darius (Syracuse)

Syracuse is one of the best teams in the nation. How did they go from pre-season non rank to top 5 team?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:22 PM)

Read my "Behind the Bracket" column later today. We address that very question.

David (New York)

Do you see any way the PAC-10 will get more teams in than the conference champ?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:23 PM)

At the end of the day, I think both the Pac-10 regular-season and conference tournaments champions will get in. And the odds are it'll be two different teams.

Phil (DC)

Michigan received no consideration for your bracket this time around. I find this to be a little surprising.

Joe Lunardi

  (3:25 PM)

Last time I checked, Michigan was still 9-7 in Division I games and well over 100 on the RPI. Find any past at-large team even close to that profile and get back to me.

Matt (Medford, MA)

Virginia lost at home to my alma mater (PSU - so much for building on that NIT title :( ) yet they're in the bracket this week. Is that simply because they're somehow 3-0 in ACC play?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:25 PM)

Yes....all 31 current conference leaders are slotted as auto bid recipients.

Mike (Maryland)

Does the committee take into consideration scores of games or just wins and losses period?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:26 PM)

They consider everything (with each member setting his or her own hierarchy of information and observation).

Brad (PITT)

simple yes or no question: PITT wins the BE regular season title outright, and they are a number 1 seed?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:26 PM)

Yes.

Thrush (Phoenix)

If Michigan State continues it's dominance through the Big Ten and wins the conference with 3 loses, has a good showing in the Big Ten tourney...Do you give them a number 1 seed? I say so...

Joe Lunardi

  (3:27 PM)

Might have to also win the conference tournament to seal the deal.

Mike (Maryland)

More likely to miss the dance - UCONN or UNC?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:28 PM)

UConn (which I think has to face consistently better competition in-conference). Great question!

Omar (Ventura,Ca)

Do the New Mexico Lobos have to end up in the top 3 of the MWC to receive an at large?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:29 PM)

More than likely, Omar. It's been a long time since the Mountain West went much deeper than that in terms of NCAA selection.

Quiyon (San Bernardino )

Why is the University of Washington not in any of your brackets seems like they are finally putting the pieces of the puzzle together and with the insertion justin holiday into the starting lineup they seem like a defensive force that they were supposed to be they blew out Standford which gave kansas a run for their money and blew out California as well

Joe Lunardi

  (3:30 PM)

Win a road game in the league, Quiyon, and get back to me. I do think the Huskies will be there on Selection Sunday.

mike (Pittsburgh)

Big MVC matchup tonight WSU vs NIowa if Wichita wins are they in the bracket next week?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:31 PM)

Thought it was Tuesday, but you're right. Wichita State has the best chance to challenge for a second Valley bid with a win. Thought it would be Missouri State, but the Bears have fallen off.

Mike (Wichita)

How you are ignoring UK's weak schedule amazes me. There is no chance a #1 seed Kentucky goes to St. Louis over a #1 seed KU team. Kentucky has risked less than any other top ten team on the court - being undefeated with that schedule is not some great feat.

Joe Lunardi

  (3:33 PM)

Kentucky has played seven games away from home, more than any of the current No. 1 seeds. I'm just not buying this argument. Don't blame UK because KU couldn't beat a team with six scholarship players (and very nearly lost to one with NO scholarship players). Is Kansas better in March? Probably. Have they done more than Kentucky to date? Absolutely not.

Jeff (Rhode Island)

Here is a scenario for you; URI goes 12-4 in the A10 putting them at 24-5 overall. the 4 conference losses are at Temple, Xavier, and Dayton, and at home to Temple. That leaves Richmond and Charlotte as their best conference wins. Does that put them in the tourney?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:35 PM)

Looked at this exact scenario during my visit to URI last week. I think the Rams would still have to knock off one of the other A-10 at-large candidates in the conference tournament.

Thor (Cincinnati)

Hey Joe, with the PAC 10 being so down, and the SEC being relatively weak, will this be the year where the non BCS conferences reverse the trend of losing out on bids? If so, which conference will benefit the most from a strong resume'?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:35 PM)

Looking like the Atlantic 10 and Mountain West at this point, which is how it used to be.

Jerry (Lexington)

Joe, who is your number one overall? At season's end who do think will have that spot?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:36 PM)

Texas now; Kansas later.

Jonathan (Oakland)

Do you think St. Mary's can make it in without a win over Gonzaga?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:36 PM)

No.

Frank (Lawrence, KS)

Joe, can The Tribe wind up w/ an at-large out of the CAA?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:37 PM)

The odds are against it, Frank. The key is avoiding any more bad losses (like UNCW at home!).

Brad (Syracuse)

Joe, what do you do with a team like Connecticut? Now on a 3 game skid, and lacking a single win away from Storrs, it seems like they're currently on the wrong side of things in terms of the "bubble". Clearly they have the players to make an impact come March and with the strength of their schedule they presumably have solid computer numbers, but where do you think they need to finish in the Big East to feel good about their NCAA hopes? Obviously a win vs. Texas Saturday would be a start. Thanks!

Joe Lunardi

  (3:38 PM)

Looks like UConn will be "ground zero" in this year's bubble talk. The Huskies need to find a way to get above .500 in the Big East to feel safe. Carolina has a little more cushion because of the win over Michigan State. How about UConn-UNC for the NIT title?

Josh (New Mexico)

Simple question: New Mexico in or out come season end?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:39 PM)

In.

Jason (Iowa)

Joe, do you know where I could find a list of the away teams for the Bracket Busters? I'd love to see a Northern Iowa/Gonzaga matchup, but I'm not sure who the road teams are this year.

Joe Lunardi

  (3:39 PM)

Gonzaga is not a Bracket Buster team this year (and hasn't been for the last few).

John (Philadelphia)

What's the highest seed you could see Temple receive?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:40 PM)

Xavier has been 3/4 the last two years, so I'd say a No. 4 given the overall picture this season.

Jeff (FL)

Do you ever go to NCAA tournament games after the brackets come out and you don't have any work left to do?

Joe Lunardi

  (3:40 PM)

As often as possible. They are the best days of the year, Jeff!

Joe Lunardi

  (3:41 PM)

Got to run to News, gang. Same time, next week! Thanks.