1) Ole Miss Rebels

Vital Statistics as of 2/15

Record: 17-7 (5-5 Southeastern Conference)

RPI Rating: 48

Strength of Schedule Rating: 59

Current Record vs. RPI Top 50: 1-4

Record vs. RPI Top 100: 5-6

Best Wins: vs. Kansas State (neutral court), vs. UTEP (neutral court)

Worst Loss: vs. Arkansas (home)

SUMMARY: Coach Andy Kennedy’s ballclub is squarely on the bubble. The Rebels do have the kinds of non-conference scalps that will come in handy on Selection Sunday, but in a season when the SEC West hasn’t fared well at all, Ole Miss has produced only five wins in its first 10 conference games.

2) California Golden Bears

Vital Stats (2/15)

Record: 17-8 (9-4 Pacific 10)

RPI: 24

Strength of Schedule: 1

Current Record vs. RPI Top 50: 0-4

Record vs. RPI Top 100: 4-7

Best Wins: USC (home court), Washington (home)

Worst Loss: vs. UCLA (home)

SUMMARY: Coach Mike Montgomery’s team represents a fascinating challenge for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. The Pac-10 has been so lousy this season that the league might get only one at-large team into the NCAAs. Cal is that team, but the Bears would like to win the upcoming Pac-10 Tournament in Los Angeles so that they don’t have to sweat on Selection Sunday. If they are forced to sit in the at-large pool, the Bears might drown.

3) UTEP Miners

Vital Stats (2/15)

Record: 19-5 (10-1 Conference USA)

RPI: 56

Strength of Schedule: 143

Current Record vs. RPI Top 50: 1-3

Record vs. RPI Top 100: 5-4

Best Wins: at UAB, at Memphis

Worst Loss: New Mexico State (home)

Sports Betting SUMMARY: UTEP came close to beating Ole Miss in the non-conference portion of its season, and a league championship will certainly help the Miners if they have to sweat out the selection process, but it’s important that this team avoid bad losses in the coming weeks.