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Bracketology 2022: 6 most likely bid thieves heading into conference tournaments

By Mike Phillips

CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 22: Storm Murphy #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers drives to the basket during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Conte Forum on January 22, 2022 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 22: Storm Murphy #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers drives to the basket during a game against the Boston College Eagles at Conte Forum on January 22, 2022 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /
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FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA – JANUARY 22: Malachi Smith #11 of the Dayton Flyers is introduced before a college basketball game against the George Mason Patriots at the Eagle Bank Arena on January 22, 2022, in Fairfax, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA – JANUARY 22: Malachi Smith #11 of the Dayton Flyers is introduced before a college basketball game against the George Mason Patriots at the Eagle Bank Arena on January 22, 2022, in Fairfax, Virginia. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

1. Potential March Madness bid thieves – Dayton Flyers

The most bid-thief potential comes out of the A-10, where there is only one surefire lock for the NCAA Tournament in Davidson. Entering the final week of the season at 24-4 overall and 14-2 in conference play, the Wildcats have a good road win over Alabama on their resume and the metrics to justify their inclusion in the field.

The issue that bubble teams could run into is that the A-10 has a slew of very good teams without at-large-worthy resumes that could beat Davidson in the tournament, punching a ticket for themselves and taking a bid away from someone else. The most likely bid thief is Dayton, which has shown it can beat elite competition thanks to a neutral-site win over Kansas in November at the ESPN Events Invitational down in Orlando.

The main reason that the Flyers aren’t a true bubble threat is four Quadrant 4 losses, including three in a row at home in November that are weighing down their resume. Dayton has also beaten bubblers Miami and Virginia Tech this season, showcasing their danger ahead of their lone regular-season meeting with Davidson over the weekend.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Flyers beat the Wildcats and use the momentum from that win to steal the A-10’s automatic bid. Teams that are truly on the bubble in Championship Week will be praying that Dayton doesn’t get hot in Washington and knock them out in the process of winning the A-10 Tournament.

Next. 20 biggest upsets in the history of March Madness. dark

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