Last Four In: Albany, New Hampshire, Wofford, Northern Iowa
First Four Out: North Dakota, McNeese State, Stony Brook, Illinois State
As far as bracketology is concerned, this week was actually very boring at the top, as the eleven best teams in the nation were all victorious this week. The middle ground was a lot different, except Northern Iowa and McNeese State have really put themselves under the gun. Considering their schedules remaining, Northern Iowa and especially Illinois State are toeing the line where future playoff consideration could be in real jeopardy. Another team in this class is McNeese State. The fact they have Sam Houston State looming and toting a win against a non-Division I opponent, they have to beat Central Arkansas next week, or their season is probably lost.
The lone team jumping back into the bracket this week is Wofford, as they replace the aforementioned McNeese State. Last week, it seemed highly unlikely a fourth SoCon school could make the field, and it would still probably need to result in an upset, but McNeese State’s unfortunate loss this week could make the Southland a two-bid league. Red hot North Dakota is hovering just off the radar though and they are starting to look like the team we all expected to see from the beginning. That’s good and bad news for the Big Sky.
Big Sky (2): Eastern Washington, Montana
Big South (1): Charleston Southern
Colonial (5): Richmond, James Madison, Villanova, Albany, New Hampshire
Missouri Valley (5): North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Western Illinois, Youngstown State, Northern Iowa
Northeast (1): Sacred Heart
Ohio Valley (2): Jacksonville State, Eastern Illinois
Patriot (1): Fordham
Pioneer (1): San Diego
Southern (4): Chattanooga, The Citadel, Samford, Wofford
Southland (2): Sam Houston State, Central Arkansas
