A few thoughts and announcements:

The bubble has become real interesting with Seton Hall, Florida State and Texas A&M all getting big wins in the last two days. UAB has their chance tonight against Memphis, a game they must win to remain in the at large picture. Meanwhile, UNC-Wilmington, Hofstra and Air Force now must really do damage in their conference tournaments, if not outright winning them, in order to get into the Field of 65.

The Missouri Valley tournament will be real interesting. As of now, I'd say that Wichita State, Missouri State, Creighton and Northern Iowa are probably in the field, although UNI could really use a win in MVC quarters against Mizzou State. Southern Illinois and Bradley are both firmly on the bubble, and each could use a couple of wins in St. Louis to feel safe on Selection Sunday. Still, it is surely not inconceivable that MVC will get 6 bids, and they look real good for 4 or 5.

A real interesting Pac 10 game tonight with Cal having a chance to firmly plant themselves into the field with a win over UCLA in Berkeley tonight. Even with a gaudy 11-5 Pac 10 record, Cal's resume could really use this trademark win. A loss tonight, and Cal may be in some trouble.

Colorado may be in deep trouble after a blowout loss at Kansas. Currently sitting at 8-7 in the Big 12, with their only big win versus Oklahoma, the Buffaloes appear to be on a very similar track to 2004, where their very uninspiring resume left them out of the party despite a 10-6 conference record.

As of now, I'd project that following teams from potential one bid leagues would be in the field no matter what:
George Mason-Colonial
George Washington-Atlantic 10
Gonzaga-WCC
Memphis-Conference USA

Noticably absent from this list is Bucknell, who in my eyes is far from safe. Like Vermont last season, they have been one of the best mid-major stories, but a loss in the Patriot League tourney could be very damaging to their at large profile. A very apt comparison would be Utah State in 2004, who had a very similar overall record and was also ranked last in the season. Like the 2004 Aggies, they only have one win over a likely tournament team(Syracuse), and have an almost identical RPI(42,43) and SOS(172, 186). I personally thought that Utah State was an NCAA Tournament caliber team that year, much like I think Bison belongs in the Big Dance, but you can't base selecting teams on personal feelings. That Northern Iowa game really looms large now, because that is what is probably keeping the Panthers safely in the field, while Bucknell better not lose in the Patriot League tourney. If Bucknell were to be tripped up early in the Patriot League tourney like Utah State, don't be shocked if the Bison's name is absent on Selection Sunday.

Major Announcement:
Come Sunday night, we will have our first look at the official at large board as the committee gets down to business. Most likely by the end of the night, we should have that board filled with 34 teams.