Too big to be a Cinderella? Tell that to Villanova and N.C. State.
True, the Cinderella Watch was created to cater to the smaller and mid-major conferences. But when a team picked to be a cellar-dweller in one of the "power conferences" emerges as a NCAA Tournament team, it too should be fitted for a slipper come March.
Several fans beg to differ, claiming teams such as C-USA's Southern Florida, the A-10's Xavier, along with Watch graduate and Big East leader Boston College, don't and never did belong on the Watch. While we understand their point of view, it seems foolish to leave of a possible Cinderella story just because it plays with the "big boys."
But ESPN.com is willing to compromise and to that end, a limit has been placed on these "power conference" Cinderellas. One spot on the Watch each week, which meant we had a choice to make this week.
Did Xavier or South Florida leave the Watch?
Well, 20 percent of 13,500-plus voters last week picked the Musketeers as their Cinderella. The Bulls received just over 11 percent. Xavier, however, was most prognosticator's picks to win the A-10, while South Florida wasn't considered the class of C-USA. And while neither is a tourney regular, South Florida hasn't been to the NCAA Tournament since 1992, while Xavier was dancing three seasons ago.
A decision was made.
On the other hand, Toledo made the voter's decision easy by dropping its third straight MAC game. The Rockets, however, appeared on their way out before losing to Central Michigan on Saturday.
If you want to see the final results from last week's poll, you can find it in the user feedback from last week's Cinderella Watch. And, as always, we want your thoughts, compliments or gripes about this week's Watch. Click here to submit an e-mail. We'll post the best user responses with each week's Cinderella Watch.
Unlike last week's Cinderella carnage, only the College of Charleston, Creighton and Toledo lost. One loss doesn't automatically mean a team leaves the Watch, so Charleston is still around. Creighton, however, is another story.
The Bluejays have a strong Strength of Schedule (53rd) and RPI ranking (39th). But SOS and RPI won't get you into the Dance if you don't win in the MVC. And the 'Jays are currently 6-4 in conference play -- two games behind Indiana State, and game behind both Bradley and Illinois State.
So, with Xavier moving to a higher standing, the Rockets misfiring and Creighton gone, we've added three new teams to this week's Watch.
For those still new to the Watch, here is how it works. ESPN.com picks eight teams each week leading up to the NCAA Tournament. Teams can move off the Watch for three reasons:
1. Promotion: The team moves from being a Cinderella story to just another guest invited to the Big Dance.
2. Demotion: The team plays so poorly its status of making the tourney is in jeopardy. You can't be a Cinderella if you don't go to the dance.
3. The poll: In the spirit of democracy, the lowest vote-getter each week will be removed from the Watch, no questions asked.
There is the latest list of teams we're watching. The RPI rankings are as of Jan. 27, while team records are through Jan. 28.
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CENTRAL MICHIGAN
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Record
13-4 Overall
7-1 MAC
RPI
No. 98
Marquee Win
Purdue, 67-66
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What better MAC team to replace Toledo than the Chippewas, who not only beat the Rockets last week but also took down Marshall at home to take control in the West division. Beating Marshall gave Central more wins than the past two seasons combined. It's been a true breakthrough season in Mount Pleasant, Mich., which hasn't seen a Chippewas team like this since Dan Majerle was launching 3-pointers in marron and gold. Doing the damage this season is David Webber (yes, Chris' younger brother), who leads the MAC in scoring at 19.4 ppg.
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WESTERN KENTUCKY
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 Record
15-5 Overall
8-1 Sun Belt
RPI
No. 79
Marquee Win
Louisville, 68-65
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The Hilltoppers were maybe a year away. Yeah, right. Eight freshmen and sophomores -- anchored by junior 7-foot-1 center Chris Marcus -- have arrived. Sure, they haven't beaten any marquee teams. (We had to put somebody under "Marquee Win" and the Cardinals were once marquee.) But the Sun Belt should be well-represented in the Big Dance as long as Dennis Felton's boys keep progressing as they have since the end of last season. Marcus is the best-kept secret in the nation, averaging 16 points and 12.1 rebounds. Behind him, Western Kentucky has won nine of its past 10 games, and 12 of 14 since beating Louisville.
Look who's back. Yeap, the Zags may not have knocked off the "big boys" yet, but losses to Arizona, Florida and New Mexico came before they got fully healthy. And if they should get back in the Big Dance (via the WCC's automatic bid), look out. Casey Calvary has been consistent all season, averaging over 20 point a game. But getting Dan Dickau (15.5 ppg) back after his broke his finger, to run the point, has been the real key to Gonzaga's perfect WCC run -- so far. Gonzaga is 8-0 since his return, but Pepperdine is up next. The Waves could hold down this spot next week after the teams clash on Friday night in Malibu.
First, let us apologize for referring to the Anteaters as "Cal-State Irvine" last week. The e-mails, voice mails and dirty looks were all well deserved. As any California state school product knows, the UC and CSU systems aren't synonymous. Now, back to the Anteaters. No reason to look funny at this team on the list. All Irvine did was tune up for Wednesday night's showdown with Utah State -- taking care of Santa Barbara in the "Dome" and pasting Cal-Poly at home. The Aggies won't be so easy. One Big West team will be leaving the Watch next week.
C-USA is full of Cinderella possibilities, but the Bulls keep this spot on the strength of two impressive wins over DePaul and Houston. Not the toughest competition, but South Florida was impressive enough to keep Memphis and Southern Mississippi off the Watch. Heck, it's better than losing twice. By the way, Altron Jackson has arrived: 23 and 22 points in the two Bulls' wins.
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UTAH STATE
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 Record
18-2 Overall
7-0 Big West
RPI
No. 51
Marquee Win
Utah, 58-57
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The other big bad boys of the Big West just keep rolling along. The Aggies beat up Idaho at home to run their conference winning streak to 26 straight. Oh, by the way, the Aggies have the fourth-longest winning streak in the country (12). Why. On any given night, anyone can be the hero. Four Aggies average double figures scoring. This week, Bernard Rock (11 ppg) went for 21 against Idaho and 15 at Pacific.
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GEORGIA STATE
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Record
17-3 Overall
8-2 TAAC
RPI
No. 50
Marquee Win
Georgia, 91-79
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The Watch officially would like to congratulate Lefty Driesell, who became the ninth coach in NCAA history to win 750 games Saturday when his Panthers beat Mercer. Two days earlier, another Watch alum's coach, Jerry Tarkanian, also won No. 750 when Fresno State beat UTEP by 53. Tark will be dancing come March. He shouldn't be the only coach with 750-plus wins, either. Is it really a surprise these two coaches have rebuilt their programs.
Dropped 21 spots in the RPI. That'll happen when you lose to a Southern Conference school ranked 246th (Georgia Southern). Damn, those rivalries. The Cougars still lead the Southern's South Division, but can't afford any more slips -- especially come postseason tourney time. The Watch still expects to see the Cougars dancing come March. Like Gonzaga, the Charleston just fits the slipper.
Ron Buck is the college basketball editor at ESPN.com.
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ALSO SEE
Cinderella Watch: Jan. 21
Cinderella Watch: Jan. 14
Cinderella Watch: Jan. 8
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