It may not be Christmas, but for the lyrics are still pertinent because for basketball fans March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year. Hoopheads are treated to an endless smorgasbord of exciting, appetizingly delectable hoops that can fill even the most insationble ballaholic. March is also the time to see just who’s been good enough to get the best present of all- an NCAA Tourney bid, or suffer the demoralizing rejection of an empty package.

So let’s see who’s resume is legit and what squads get cold dissed.

 South Alabama RPI 37: BubbleYum- Despite their stunning loss to Middle Tennessee State in the second round of the Sunbelt Conference Tournament, South Alabama will definitely be dancing. The Jaguars are 3-2 versus RPI top 50 teams, including wins over Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and a sweep of Sunbelt Conference Champion Western

Kentucky. Throw in South Alabama’s high RPI rating of 37, and they’re definitely in the tourney.

Ohio State RPI 46: BubbleBum- The Buckeyes are a far cry from the Greg Oden edition battled Florida for the national title last year. Ohio State is only 3-10 against the RPI top 50, and their only signature win was against Michigan State last week. Buckeye fans can make the argument all they want about being in a major conference, but it’s totally useless. Ohio State was came weak against top-flight opposition, and they can’t be rewarded.  The Buckeyes will still be playing next week. It’ll just be in the NIT.

 Massachusetts RPI 44: BubbleBum- The Minutemen have made significant turnaround since Chris Ford was hired as head coach. The play a crowd-pleasing, fast-breaking style and their on the right path to returning to the glory days of Marcus Cambys’ Final 4 squad a decade ago. Unfortunately, they won’t be playing in the Big Dance this year. UMass tourney hopes were dashed with an abysmal loss to Charlotte in the first round of the A-10 Tournament. The minutemen’s lone top 50 win was over Syracuse, and they loss twice to St. Joseph’s which forces them to play the back.

 St. Joseph’s RP1 42: BubbleYum- After suffering bad losses to St. Louis and LaSalle, St. Joes’ looked like they were on the verge of self-destructing and costing themselves a chance at the NCAA Tournament. Yet, the Redhawks bounced back nicely and finished fourth in the revitalized A-10. Still sitting firmly on the bubble, St. Joe’s got a monumental victory over Xavier in the A-10 Tourney, it’s second of the season over Musketeers and was 3-3 against top 50 RPI foes. They’re a sureshot.

St. Mary’s RPI  38: BubbleYum- They got caught napping and got bounced by West Coast Conference Tournament Champs San Diego in the quarter-finals, but Gael fans should stay cool as a fan. With a 3-3 record against the RPI top 50, and wins over Gonzaga, Oregon and Drake St. Mary’s has a tourney bid sown up. 

 Gonzaga RPI 29: BubbleYum-  C’mon on man. The Zags been had a spot on lock. Is mid-major even an applicable anymore? With the success, Gonzaga is a powerhouse on any level, against whoever, wherever.

 Dayton RPI 33: BubbleBum- Dayton is an intriguing case. They’ve got great resume builders with victories over Pittsburg and Louisville. However, they also dropped all three games against Xavier, including a probably must win A-10 Tourney clash. Its’ unfortunate Dayton was ravaged by injuries in midseason because they probably could have challenged Xavier for A-10 supremacy. It will be a long deliberation process for the selection committee, but in the end Dayton will probably be dancing solo.

 Temple RPI 58: BubbleYum - Absolutely no one outside the Temple locker room thought the Owls would be this good. After a loss to Duke, everyone thought Temple was dead, but they surprised the basketball world the with their rejuvenated swagger and East Coast toughness. The owls finished second in the A-10 and earned a berth in the Tourney title game against St. Joe’s. If Temple wins they’re definitely in. It’ll be a nail-bitter to see if they earn a berth.

 Arizona State RPI 83: BubbleYum- Don’t be fooled by their preposterously low RPI rating, Arizona State is definitely a tourney caliber squad. The Sun Devils finished 9-9 in arguably the best conference in the country. They’re 5-5 against the RPI top 50, including wins against Xavier, USC, Oregon and a season-sweep over Arizona. There’s no way selection committee can’t play the Sun Devils with those stellar credentials, and if they do each member should have their voting privileges revoked.

 Virginia Tech RPI 53: BubbleYum- Another thought-provoking case. The are 1-6 against the RPI top 50, with their lone win coming against Miami. Outside of that who has Va. Tech beaten of any consequence? They had an atrocious non-conference schedule loaded with cupcakes the likes of the formidable Elon and Eastern Washington, and their best wins are over Maryland and Georgia Tech, both sporadic teams. However, the Hokies looked like a tourney squad with the resiliency and hunger they showed against in their buzzer-beating loss to top ranked North Carolina. Va. Tech will barely sneak in the house.