PROVO — After its 91-75 loss to Gonzaga in the WCC tournament championship game Tuesday night, BYU is still squarely on the bubble again to make the NCAA tournament.

In last week’s article, I made a case for BYU getting an invite without winning the conference tournament. This article will compare BYU’s resume against other teams that world renowned bracketologist Joe Lunardi has on the bubble.

First, let’s take a look at BYU’s resume.

BYU

Overall record: 25-9
RPI: 43
Record vs. top 25 RPI: 1-3
Record vs. top 50 RPI: 1-4
Record vs. top 100 RPI: 4-6
Record vs. top 150 RPI: 10-9
Record vs. sub-150 RPI: 13-0
Last 10 games record: 8-2
Good wins: at Gonzaga
Bad losses: Pepperdine; at Pepperdine; at San Diego

Summary: Overall, the Cougars have had a solid year but have missed a lot of chances. The Cougars lost in double overtime to San Diego State (28th RPI), lost by four against Utah (17th RPI) and were in the entire game against Gonzaga (eighth RPI) at the Marriott Center. If the Cougars had managed to win even one of those games, they probably would not be on the bubble. However, they are playing their best basketball at the end of the season and numerous journalists around the nation say that the Cougs pass the eye test.

Now, let’s turn to the other teams the Cougars are vying for a spot against.

Indiana

Overall record: 19-12
RPI: 57
Record vs. top 25 RPI: 3-4
Record vs. Top 50 RPI: 4-8
Record vs. top 100 RPI: 8-11
Record vs. top 150: 11-12
Record vs. sub-150 RPI: 8-0
Last 10 games record: 4-6
Good wins: SMU; Butler; Ohio State; Maryland
Bad losses: at Northwestern

Summary: The Hoosiers have something the Cougars are lacking: a high number of quality wins. Indiana knocked off three top 25 RPI teams this season. However, the Hoosiers have struggled of late, losing three straight and eight of their last 12 games. BYU has the recent advantage over Indiana and is 14 spots ahead of the Hoosiers in the most recent RPI.

Temple

Overall record: 22-9
RPI: 34
Record vs. top 25 RPI: 1-4
Record vs. top 50 RPI: 2-7
Record vs. top 100 RPI: 7-8
Record vs. top 150 RPI: 8-8
Record vs. sub-150 RPI: 14-1
Last 10 games record: 8-2
Good wins: Kansas; Cincinnati
Bad Losses: at St. Joseph’s

Summary: BYU’s resume looks very similar to Temple’s. Both teams have a victory over a top 10 RPI team. Both teams have been hot recently with the Owls winning 10 of their last 12 games. Both teams have at least one bad loss, with Temple’s loss being particularly unsightly. If push comes to shove and only one team (BYU or Temple) is chosen, it will be interesting to see who gets the bid. Temple might sneak in over the Cougars due to a slight advantage in RPI.

Texas

Overall record: 19-12
RPI: 42
Record vs. top 25 RPI: 2-9
Record vs. top 50 RPI: 3-11
Record vs. top 100 RPI: 6-12
Record vs. top 150 RPI: 11-12
Record vs. sub-150 RPI: 8-0
Last 10 games record: 5-5
Good wins: Iowa; West Virginia; Baylor
Bad Losses: None

Summary: Texas, like Indiana, is not playing its best basketball right now. The Longhorns have a mediocre 5-5 record in their last 10 games. However, they are coming off an impressive win against Baylor (10th RPI) and are looking to ride the momentum from that win into the Big 12 Conference tournament. The Longhorns have more good wins than the Cougars and do not have a bad loss.

Miami (Florida)

Overall record: 20-11
RPI: 61
Record vs. top 25 RPI: 1-6
Record vs. top 50 RPI: 2-6
Record vs. top 100 RPI: 7-7
Record vs. top 150 RPI: 11-10
Record vs. sub-150 RPI: 9-1
Last 10 games record: 6-4
Good wins: at Duke; North Carolina State
Bad losses: Georgia Tech; at Florida State; at Wake Forest; Eastern Kentucky

Summary: The Cougars rank well ahead of Miami in the RPI rankings. BYU is also peaking currently while Miami is playing .600 ball in the last 10 games. If the Hurricanes get into the tournament over BYU, they will have ridden their huge win in Durham, North Carolina, over the Blue Devils to get there. BYU should be in ahead of Miami.

Old Dominion

Overall record: 24-6
RPI: 38
Record vs. top 25 RPI: 1-0
Record vs. top 50 RPI: 2-0
Record vs. top 100 RPI: 6-2
Record vs. top 150 RPI: 9-3
Record vs. sub-150 RPI: 15-3
Last 10 games: 8-2
Good wins: LSU; VCU
Bad losses: at Middle Tennessee; at UAB; at UTSA; at Western Kentucky

Summary: The Monarchs have been the opposite of BYU in that they have had relatively few chances against quality opponents but have made the most of those opportunities as they knocked off both top 50 teams they played. What’s really hurting Old Dominion, however, is that they have lost to three teams with an RPI of 150 or lower. The Monarchs will probably need to win their conference tournament to get into March Madness.

Tulsa

Overall record: 21-9
RPI: 47
Record vs. top 25: 0-4
Record vs. top 50: 2-6
Record vs. top 100: 5-7
Record vs. top 150: 6-7
Record vs. sub-150: 15-1
Last 10 games: 6-4
Good wins: Temple; at Temple
Bad losses: at Oral Roberts

Summary: The Golden Hurricane have struggled against the best competition that they have faced. They do not have a signature win like BYU’s win over Gonzaga, but their season sweep of fellow bubble team, Temple, adds to their resume. However, the loss to Oral Roberts was bad any way you dice it, and I think the Cougars will get a bid before Tulsa does.

Texas A&M

Overall record: 20-10
RPI: 56
Record vs. top 25: 0-3
Record vs. top 50: 2-6
Record vs. top 100: 7-10
Record vs. top 150: 8-10
Record vs. sub-150: 12-0
Last 10 games: 5-5
Good wins: LSU; at LSU
Bad losses: None

Summary: The Aggies lack any truly great wins, with both of their best wins coming against LSU (48th RPI). Texas A&M is also playing mediocre ball as of late and are in a conference, the SEC, that is having a down year overall. BYU should hear its name on Selection Sunday before Texas A&M.

Dylan Cannon is a regular KSL.com contributor and can be reached at DylanCannon86@gmail.com or via twitter @DylanCannon11. Listen to his weekly podcast, "Cougar Talk," on iTunes.

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