ESPN Men's Basketball

Originally Published: March 1, 2004

Now is no time to lose

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By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
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The debate over whether Maryland and Florida State have a chance to dance must sound absurd to coaches at places like UTEP, Kent State, Manhattan, Eastern Washington and Boston University.

While the talking heads on TV discuss the depth of the ACC and Bracketologists crunch numbers to show why a team with just six conference wins is still worthy of the NCAA Tournament, it just can't seem fair to teams who may be on the outside looking into the Dance with 13, 14 and even perfect conference records.

Sure, it's a common belief that the ACC is this season's cream of the power conferences. But finishing sixth or seventh in even the strongest conference, and still receiving an at-large bid can't seem right.

Imagine how Billy Gillispie must feel heading into the final week of the regular season.

UTEP's second-year coach just watched his Miners win back-to-back road games at Louisiana Tech and SMU last week, clinch a share of the WAC's regular season with the second win, but knows despite the Miners' 13-4 conference record that a loss Saturday at Boise State could mean a final three-way tie atop the WAC. And if that happens, there is the potential of UTEP being the third seed in the WAC tournament, which is rewarded with a first-round game against host Fresno State.

Just a little pressure, huh?

Not only would UTEP's postseason be in limbo, but a single loss in the WAC tournament could ruin a breakout season that sees UTEP sporting a 22-5 mark into the week ahead.

Somehow that kind of pressure seems a bit more intense than needing to win at NC State and beat Virginia at home. Because even if Maryland were to lose those two games, the Terps could still make up ground with the selection committee by winning a game or two in the ACC tournament next week.

"I'm really worried about it," Gillispie said. "I'm stressed. I mean everything has been a bonus so far this year (with the turnaround), but ..."

Yes, Gillispie knows there is always a "but" when it comes to teams like UTEP.

The Miners are close to a bid, but ...

UTEP was a No. 9 seed in ESPN.com's Bracketology Monday, but ...

The 20-plus wins and regular season title should mean the Miners would be secure even with a loss to Boise State, but ...

Gillispie just can't feel comfortable.

Now, the WAC isn't the MAC, but it still doesn't get the respect it deserves. The Miners were the only WAC team projected in ESPN.com's field of 65 this week, with Nevada, Hawaii and Rice all on the bubble.

Speaking of the MAC, if UTEP is on somewhat sturdy ground, the earth below Kent State is certainly unstable. The Golden Flashes lost a pair of road games last week -- at Buffalo and at Akron on Sunday. Ask any coach in the MAC and Kent State shouldn't be ashamed of losing either of those two games. Each are among the toughest trips for anyone in the league.

Kent State was in ESPN.com's projected field Monday as a No. 10 seed. And, if Kent State (20-5, 13-3) can regain its form this week with wins over Miami and at Ohio, finishing with only three losses in the MAC is quite an accomplishment. It doesn't, however, make Kent State coach Jim Christian any less concerned that his team could be facing three must-win games in the MAC tournament.

But, should Christian fear another loss as much as he does? Yes. While Kent State holds a three-game lead in the MAC's East Division, it has no margin for error in the eyes of the committee.

"Our kids know there is nothing they can do about it," said Christian, who is bitter that he can't get any team of note to play at Kent, or to some extent even host the Golden Flashes without return. Kent State's only high-major game was at Boston College.

"For whatever reason, if a mid-major team gets to five losses, it seems like everyone assumes you're in trouble," Christian said. "It's not a level barometer to use the RPI. We're not getting the same number of strength of schedule games to help us as other schools. It's very hard to go 16-2 in this league."

Western Michigan is in a similar situation. The Broncos lost to Toledo on Saturday, which again, is one of the tougher road stops in the Midwest. The loss dropped the Broncos to 13-3 in the MAC West and to 21-4 overall. The Broncos were also in ESPN.com's field as a No. 12 seed, but that's one step closer to being among the "last four out" or worse if they slip again.

Do you think Western Michigan coach Steve Hawkins can rest easily if the Broncos don't win the MAC tourney? Probably not.

"The last place team in our league -- Central Michigan -- won at Notre Dame. And yet we could be out, and Notre Dame beats UConn and they're on the bubble to get in?" Christian said. "I would feel so disappointed for our kids if we don't go. I think they feel like we have to win the tournament.

"Austin Peay goes undefeated in their league (OVC), but are they being considered for an at-large berth? Are both Utah State and Pacific going? Probably not," Christian said. "I'm just trying to figure out how to beat Miami first."

The feeling is shared by coaches both East and West of the Midwest mid-majors. Manhattan's Bobby Gonzalez, Eastern Washington's Ray Giacoletti and Boston University's Dennis Wolff all know losing in their conference tournament will make Selection Sunday much more stressful for teams who dominated the regular season.

Manhattan lost to Rider last week, but it was just the Jaspers' second MAAC setback. Manhattan, which won 16 of 17 games midway through the season, beat Marist to finish 16-2 in the MAAC. Not bad. In fact, that's quite good to go along with a 22-5 record.

End the season right now, skip the MAAC tourney, and the Jaspers' season is certainly worthy of a 10 or 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But there's this little chore of winning two more MAAC games in the conference tournament. Lose and suddenly the Jaspers don't return to the Dance. The players, like Luis Flores, get shut out of the sport's largest stage. And Gonzalez doesn't get the necessary national buzz of the NCAAs to propel him to a possible big-time coaching gig.

Wait a minute, ESPN.com had Manhattan projected as a No. 13 seed on Monday -- along with three other automatic qualifiers Troy State, VCU and East Tennessee State. That would mean it's unlikely the Jaspers would get an at-large berth if they stumble in the conference tournament.

Just another reason for Gonzalez to grumble.

"We beat UW-Milwaukee two weeks ago on Bracket Buster Saturday and everyone said we're in," Gonzalez said. "We lost to Rider, and we're out? It's ridiculous. I don't know whom to believe. It's hard to understand why an at-large team can't come from the MAAC."

So, how is Gonzalez going to get the Jaspers ready for a tournament as important, if not more important, than the Tournament. Will his players play too tight, or not to lose?

Despite dominating the MAAC and 20-plus wins, Bobby Gonzalez knows his Jaspers may miss the Dance without an automatic bid.

"I'm going to tell them that we were the best team in the league and we proved it during the regular season ... but we have to do it all over again," Gonzalez said. "That's what we're dealing with."

Oh, and Manhattan has one more problem: The MAAC tournament will be held in Albany, N.Y., on Siena's alternate homecourt.

At least Eastern Washington and BU were awarded the advantage of playing at home as long as they win, and only needing to win two games. Eastern Washington has never been to the NCAA Tournament, losing the last three Big Sky title games as the "visitors." BU went to the Dance two seasons ago, but got beat at home last season on a buzzer-beater by Vermont's David Hehn.

Eastern Washington went 11-3 in the Big Sky, 15-12 overall. No one else in the conference had a winning league record. Yet the Eagles must win the tournament, albeit on their homecourt, to get a bid.

Pressure? Never been? Are you kidding? How could there not be.

"Having it here doesn't take the pressure off, it puts it on," Giacoletti said. "They do the champion a favor, but you've still got to go out and win it.

"I'm more proud of what we've accomplished the past two months then I would be of two days of work ... But I know that two days of work next week are more important than the last two months."

Wolff doesn't have to remind his BU players how important the America East tournament is after losing at the buzzer last season. But, still, the Terriers have been on an unbelievable run, winning 23 of the past 24 games. The Terriers are 23-4, 17-1 in the league.

"We're not going to get rewarded for all we've done unless we win the tournament," Wolff said. BU's numbers still only garnered a No. 14 seed in ESPN.com's field of 65. Eastern Washington was a No. 15 in that same bracket. That's automatic berth territory.

"We played a good schedule, winning at Michigan, playing BC and Saint Joseph's and at Ohio and at Holy Cross. But we understand where we are at this level. Our players recognize what's at stake. We've got experience with this stuff now and hopefully we'll handle it smartly in the next two weeks."

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com. Click here to send Andy a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.