We take a look at the latest Bracketology, picking the eight teams lucky (or unlucky) enough to make the list of Last Four In and First Four Out.
First Four Out: Florida, Gonzaga, Alabama, Ohio State
No one in the country has lost more ground in the last month than Florida, losing six of their last eight games. The biggest problem for them is that they don’t have any chances before the SEC Tournament to pick up good wins, with only a game left against Missouri. Gonzaga has no one to blame but themselves, as well. They missed opportunities in the non-conference before slipping up three times in WCC play, including getting swept by rival Saint Mary’s. The Bulldogs are the favorite to win the postseason conference tournament, but if they don’t, they’re gone.
Alabama and Ohio State were both walking a bit of a tight-rope anyway, searching for quality wins through the final stretch of the season. Both have more work to do in their respective conference tournaments but have enough of a resume already that they’re closer than either UF or Gonzaga.
Last Four In: St. Bonaventure, UConn, Tulsa, Vanderbilt
All four teams are skipping awful close to the final line of getting cut from the Big Dance, but as always, they all have chances to better their resume as well. Following a five game stretch that included wins over SMU, Cincinnati, and Temple, Tulsa went out and lost to Memphis on the road. That’s why they’re back in this position. The Bonnies are on a run, with recent wins over Dayton and St. Joseph’s, thanks to the brilliance of Marcus Posley. Who wants to see this team should they get in?
UConn and Vanderbilt are going different directions, with the Huskies trying to hang on for dear life now that they’ve fallen out of the RPI top 50. Vandy, on the other hand, has won seven of eight and seems intent on locking down a spot they had seemingly surrendered earlier in SEC play.
