Today, Selection Sunday, is arguably one of the most exciting, yet somewhat predictable day in college athletics, as the NCAA Men's Basketball Selection Committee fields a bracket of 65 teams to compete in "March Madness" over the next two-three weeks. In turn, today is filled with eons of sports writer predicting which bubble teams are either in the field of 65 or NIT-bound. Well, thanks to our friends over in Heritage Hall, it's clear that the Trojans will not be partaking in any postseason activities. Yet, the bids of California and Arizona State are still somewhat at stake, after Washington earned the Pac-10's automatic bid yesterday afternoon with a close win over the Golden Bears. So, with today's national importance, here are a few topics to discuss.
- Seemingly every prognosticator out there seems to know with absolute certainty which teams will end up making the final 65. To spare you every opinion, we'll keep in simple and just check out who ESPN's Joe Lunardi has making the field, and by the look of things, it appears as if the Pac-10 is going to get two teams in with California and Washington. As of right now, Lunardi has Cal as a 7th seed, while Washington a 10th seed. Arizona State, despite getting over the 20-wins mark, looks to be NIT-bound.
- After a disappointing year for the Pac-10, ESPN's Arash Markazi takes a look at yesterday's thrilling conference title game, where the Huskies earned the conference's autmoatic bid and put on a positive face for the league.
- With Washington, not Cal, earning the automatic bid, there are some out there in the national media, notably Jay Bilas and Jerry Palm, that are somewhat skeptical of the Bears earning an at-large birth. According to Palm, they are no longer a "lock" for the field of 65. In turn, the folks over at SB Nation's California Golden Blogs explain why the Bears should still be dancing this March. And for once, I seem to be in agreement with the NorCal hippies.Don't worry, I'll refrain from saying "hella" though.
- While a lot of talk seems to be centered on the men's side of things, the Women of Troy faced UCLA in the semi-finals of the Pac-10 Tournament yesterday. However, 'SC, despite holding a six-game winning streak, wasn't able to topple No. 23 UCLA, as they fell 59-53 in heartbreaking fashion. With a 19-13 record, the Women of Troy are hoping to earn an at-large birth to the NCAA Tournament next week. But for now, they'll have to wait anxiously until Monday, when the brackets are released.
- Yet, basketball isn't the only thing making headlines in the Pac-10, as Friday brought a lot of news stories coming out of Eugene, where Oregon head coach Chip Kelly suspended Jeremiah Masoli for the entire 2010 season, and running back and freshman all-American LaMichael James for the season opener against New Mexico. In response to Kelly's decision, SI.com's Andy Staples certainly has a few thoughts on Kelly's decision.
- I couldn't possibly make an open thread without discussing the upcoming football season in at least some form. So, here is a story from WeAreSC.com that takes a look at the impact the running game needs to make in 2010.
Fight On!
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