QUALITY WINS: at Xavier
REMAINING GAMES: vs. Xavier, vs. Duquesne
The ploddingly efficient, defense-first Billikens seemed a lock for their first bid of the five-year Rick Majerus era, but now a strong A-10 tournament showing is a must.
Middle Tennessee State
(25--5)
BAD LOSSES: at UAB, vs. Western Kentucky
QUALITY WINS: Mississippi (neutral court), vs. Belmont
REMAINING GAMES: Sun Belt tournament
A middle-rung mid-major without any marquee victories, the Sun Belt regular-season champs might also have to win the conference tournament to earn their first NCAA tournament bid since 1989.
Northwestern
(17--11)
BAD LOSSES: at Minnesota