5 Things to Watch Before March Madness

Cleanthony Early of Wichita State

It doesn't seem that long ago that we were full from the Thanksgiving feasts and settling in for a day of hoops on television during the Maui Invitational. Nor does it seem that long ago that a trio of freshmen introduced themselves to the nation at the United Center in front of a worldwide audience on ESPN. However, that was November and the Madness is quickly approaching.

Plenty has happened since the beginning of the season: Duke and Syracuse have treated us to a couple of thrillers, Jim Boeheim lost his mind and couldn't get his jacket off, Sean Miller has Arizona rolling out west and those Wichita State Shockers have a goose egg in the loss column. Still, there are still some things to keep an eye on before Selection Sunday. Here's a few storylines to watch before The Big Dance.

1. Can Wichita State enter the tournament undefeated?
The Shockers are a win against Missouri State away from finishing the regular season undefeated. No matter what conference a team is in, that is an unbelievable accomplishment. But can Wichita State enter the tournament undefeated? Thinking back to 2004, the St. Joseph's Hawks, led by Jameer Nelson and Delonte West, completed the regular season undefeated, only to lose in the Atlantic 10 tournament. The Shockers will have to win three games in the Missouri Valley tournament to enter the tourney with an unblemished record. Wichita State winning the conference tournament also has an effect on the NCAA Tournament because if they were to lose then that would mean another MVC team who wouldn't be getting in now would steal a bid from somebody.

2. How will Oklahoma State finish the season?
It's been a rollercoaster ride for Travis Ford and the Oklahoma State Cowboys this season. At the beginning of the season many people, including us at The World of Wadley, though the Pokes would unseat Kansas from the Big 12 throne, but they have been dreadful since late-January, going 2-7. OK State is currently 18-10 overall, but just 6-9 in the Big 12. Still, the conference is so balanced this year, the Cowboys will most likely make the tournament. There's no room for slip-ups though and that is a tall task. The remaining three games on the regular season schedule are Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State. Good luck with that.

3. Who will come out on top in the tough Big Ten?
The Big Ten has been a tough conference to figure out this season, but figures to get about six teams into the Dance. As of now, Michigan is atop the standings at 12-3, but Michigan State is one game back at 11-4 and Wisconsin is still in the hunt at 10-5. Michigan has a pretty favorable schedule with home games against Minnesota and Indiana and a road contest at Illinois. Wisconsin's is also favorable with games against Penn State, Purdue and Nebraska. Meanwhile, the Spartans must finish the year with Illinois, Iowa and Ohio State. It would appear that Michigan could and should win the Big Ten title.

4. Pay attention to the Mountain West Conference tournament final
This is assuming a lot of things, but if the top two teams in the conference square off for the conference tournament title then it will be a dandy between San Diego State and New Mexico. The Aztecs are 23-3 and have spent some time in the top 10 this year. New Mexico, under first year coach Craig Neal, are 23-5 and defeated SDSU back on February 22. That game was in Albuquerque and got a little chippy after the final horn. It's worth noting that these two teams finish the regular season with a game in San Diego on March 8. Potentially two more games between these two is a real treat for college basketball fans.

5. Watch the Missouri-Tennessee game on March 8
Both the Tigers and Volunteers are bubble teams and finish the regular season with a head-to-head matchup in Knoxville. In Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology he has Tennessee as one of the last four in and Mizzou as one of the first four out. Obviously, both teams need to take care of business before this game and, if they do, their matchup will have a big effect on the NCAA Tournament. Both teams are more than capable of winning a game in the Dance.