Saturday’s Loss at Air Force Could Burst Wyoming’s NCAA Tournament Bubble

What a difference a few days can make. Coming off a convincing win versus conference rival Colorado State last week, Wyoming fans were hopeful that a season sweep of the Rams would impress the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee next month.  After Saturday's disappointing double digit loss to Air Force, one of the worst teams in the Mountain West, the Cowboys' bubble may have finally burst.

In spite of their 19-5 season record and 8-3 start in conference play, Wyoming's soft non conference schedule won't help their chances of getting an at large bid to the big dance. The Cowboys are currently ranked #100 in the latest BPI ratings (Basketball Power Index) and #76 in the latest RPI ratings (Ratings Percentage Index), both of which are relied upon heavily by the tournament selection committee.  Barring a victory in the Mountain West Conference Tournament, it appears as if the Pokes will be headed back to the NIT once again.

However, there is still hope for Wyoming fans.  Wednesday night, the Cowboys head to San Diego State for a rematch against the first place Aztecs, who handed the Pokes their only home loss of the season last month.   A road win versus one of the Top 30 teams in the RPI, combined with a season sweep of Colorado State, another Top 30 RPI team, would help boost Wyoming's case for an at large bid.  However, if the Cowboys fail to win the conference title outright, their chances of securing an NCAA Tournament bid appear to be slim.

ESPN College Basketball Analyst Joe Lunardi is one of the many pundits who believes that Wyoming's poor strength of schedule will cost them at tournament time.  Even before their loss to lowly Air Force on Saturday, Lunardi had already made a case against the Cowboys in a recent Bracketology segment.  Let's hope he's wrong.