LAST FOUR IN: Samford, Montana, Northern Iowa, Nicholls
FIRST FOUR OUT: McNeese, Northern Arizona, Delaware, Austin Peay
The only changes in the field this week were switches for automatic berths in two single bid conferences. First, let’s welcome Central Connecticut State to the playoffs. They defeated Duquesne to clinch all tiebreakers with a game lead in the Northeast. Our other switch is one we’ve been hesitant to make. Lehigh has now been moved in, over Colgate, as the automatic bid from the Patriot. Colgate is probably the better team, however, they lost head-to-head weeks ago. And now, Lehigh can clinch the bid with a win over long-time rival, Lafayette. And if they do, they’ll also qualify for the playoffs with a losing record (5-6). Things could change back with a loss and a Colgate win and figuring how the Patriot has gone this year, we probably put the kiss of death on Lehigh.
Big Sky (3): Southern Utah*, Weber State, Montana
Big South (2): Monmouth*, Kennesaw State
Colonial (4): James Madison*, Stony Brook, New Hampshire, Elon
Missouri Valley (5): North Dakota State*, South Dakota State, Western Illinois, South Dakota, Northern Iowa
Northeast (1): Central Connecticut State*
Ohio Valley (1): Jacksonville State*
Patriot (1): Lehigh*
Pioneer (1): San Diego*
Southern (3): Wofford*, Furman, Samford
Southland (3): Central Arkansas*, Sam Houston State, Nicholls
* League Champion and automatic bid