The Bulldogs became an effective NCAA tournament 'lock' while the Tigers stopped their nosedive with victories.
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"Should be in (1)
Saint Louis Billikens (Atlantic 10)
Updated: Feb. 28, 10:14 p.m.
Coming off its ugliest loss of the season -- by 15 points at Dayton -- Saint Louis had to hold off Duquesne on Saturday to avoid a third loss in four games. The Billikens have been a great story in their second season with Josh Schertz at the helm, and aren't in much danger of not making the field as an at-large team, if necessary. They are still top 30 nationally in the résumé rankings, with a pair of Quadrant 1 wins, and rank even better in the predictive ratings.
Next game: vs. Loyola Chicago (Wednesday)"
Work to do (6)
"vcu Rams (A-10)
Updated: March 3, 9:44 p.m.
vcu hasn't made back-to-back NCAA tournaments since the Will Wade era nearly a decade ago, and the forecast models (which sit around a 30% consensus at-large chance) remain less than bullish on that streak ending this season. That's in part because the Rams are 1-5 against Quadrant 1 opponents, including a recent collapse at Saint Louis that hurt their at-large case. They are still right in the middle of bubble territory in overall résumé (mid-40s nationally), though, and they just keep winning -- they've now won 12 of 13 after holding off George Mason on Tuesday. They also could add a second Quadrant 1 win over Dayton on Friday. But it remains to be seen if the A-10 will get a second bid (which has happened in three of five years).
Next game: at Dayton (Friday)"