I've ranked my top eight, purely based on which ones I think are the best teams and have the most potential to fare well in the tournament (and not based on which teams I necessarily think are more deserving of bids). I've also included information for each on where Lunardi currently has them ranked.
1. Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado has the ability to get to the second weekend of the tournament. The backcourt duo of Askia Booker and Spencer Dinwiddie is as good as any you'll find on a bubble team. Booker can create a shot off the bounce and get to the rim, while Dinwiddie shoots it with range, has a good floor game and plays with excellent pace.
Up front, the Buffs have an elite rebounder in Andre Roberson. He is relentless on both the offensive and defensive glass. He is complemented by skilled freshman post Josh Scott, who has good hands and can score both on the block and facing to 17 feet. Colorado is solid defensively and does a good job of contesting shots. This is a team that won't beat itself.
Current Lunardi bubble status: Comfortably in the tournament (No. 39 on S-curve)
To give some perspective to how Greenberg sees the Buffs, Illinois (coming off wins over Indiana and Minnesota) is his #2.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/ncbexperts/id/8943374/colorado-buffaloes-top-ranking-best-bubble-teams-college-basketball
This was also picked up by the ESPN Rumors today. Here's what they had to say there:
How deep can Colorado go?
February, 13, 2013 Feb 13
1:44
PM ET
By Luke Lapinski | ESPN.com
With March Madness just a few weeks away, more and more teams are finding themselves near the dreaded "bubble". Of all the programs that may find themselves sweating out the final stretch of the season, which one has the best chance to do some actual damage in the NCAA Tournament if they get there?
Our own Seth Greenberg contends Colorado is the team to watch. The Buffaloes made it to the Big Dance for the first time since 2003 a year ago, then knocked off UNLV before bowing out in the Round of 32. And, at the moment, they're definitely on the right side of the bubble. In fact, Joe Lunardi has them slotted in at No. 39. But nothing is a given at this time of year -- especially for a team that dropped four of its first five in conference play.
Assuming they do land an invite though, they certainly have the pieces to do some damage. Backcourt weapons Spencer Dinwiddie and Askia Booker have raised their games considerably as sophomores, Josh Scott has been a welcome addition as a freshman and Andre Roberson continues to be a force inside. Tad Boyle's squad has emerged victorious in five of their last six, can win games a few different ways and now has the experience of last year's postseason play to build from. That's a dangerous combination in March -- assuming they get there.
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mens-college-basketball/rumors/
1. Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado has the ability to get to the second weekend of the tournament. The backcourt duo of Askia Booker and Spencer Dinwiddie is as good as any you'll find on a bubble team. Booker can create a shot off the bounce and get to the rim, while Dinwiddie shoots it with range, has a good floor game and plays with excellent pace.
Up front, the Buffs have an elite rebounder in Andre Roberson. He is relentless on both the offensive and defensive glass. He is complemented by skilled freshman post Josh Scott, who has good hands and can score both on the block and facing to 17 feet. Colorado is solid defensively and does a good job of contesting shots. This is a team that won't beat itself.
Current Lunardi bubble status: Comfortably in the tournament (No. 39 on S-curve)
To give some perspective to how Greenberg sees the Buffs, Illinois (coming off wins over Indiana and Minnesota) is his #2.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/ncbexperts/id/8943374/colorado-buffaloes-top-ranking-best-bubble-teams-college-basketball
This was also picked up by the ESPN Rumors today. Here's what they had to say there:
How deep can Colorado go?
February, 13, 2013 Feb 13
1:44
PM ET
By Luke Lapinski | ESPN.com
With March Madness just a few weeks away, more and more teams are finding themselves near the dreaded "bubble". Of all the programs that may find themselves sweating out the final stretch of the season, which one has the best chance to do some actual damage in the NCAA Tournament if they get there?
Our own Seth Greenberg contends Colorado is the team to watch. The Buffaloes made it to the Big Dance for the first time since 2003 a year ago, then knocked off UNLV before bowing out in the Round of 32. And, at the moment, they're definitely on the right side of the bubble. In fact, Joe Lunardi has them slotted in at No. 39. But nothing is a given at this time of year -- especially for a team that dropped four of its first five in conference play.
Assuming they do land an invite though, they certainly have the pieces to do some damage. Backcourt weapons Spencer Dinwiddie and Askia Booker have raised their games considerably as sophomores, Josh Scott has been a welcome addition as a freshman and Andre Roberson continues to be a force inside. Tad Boyle's squad has emerged victorious in five of their last six, can win games a few different ways and now has the experience of last year's postseason play to build from. That's a dangerous combination in March -- assuming they get there.
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mens-college-basketball/rumors/
