East Region Team Profiles: 02/02/2011

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten auto)
Record: 22-0 overall; 9-0 conference; 5-0 vs. RPI Top 50; 4-0 vs. RPI 51-100; 9-0 vs. RPI 150+; 7-0 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 122 Loss: 0
RPI: 3
SOS: 43
RPI 1-50 Wins: Purdue, Minnesota, at Florida, at Illinois, Penn State
RPI 51-100 Wins: at Florida State, Oakland, at Michigan, at Northwestern
Last Week: def. Purdue 87-64, won at Northwestern 59-58
This Week: Michigan (Thu.), at Minnesota (Sun.)
The Buckeyes made it absolutely evident who the top team in the country is on Tuesday night, when they never gave Purdue a chance in Columbus. However, such killer instinct was lacking in Evanston, where they nearly fell to Northwestern, who was missing John Shurna. This week, Ohio State hosts a Michigan team they beat by four in Ann Arbor and visits Minnesota, who they defeated by just three at home.

16A. Jackson State Tigers (SWAC auto)
Record: 10-9 overall; 8-1 conference; 0-1 vs. RPI Top 50; 0-4 vs. RPI 51-100; 10-3 vs. RPI 150+; 5-9 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 242 Loss: 120
RPI: 180
SOS: 291
Last Week: def. Mississippi Valley State 83-73, def. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 86-64
This Week: at Alcorn State (Sat.), at Southern (Mon.)
The Tigers took out former SWAC co-leader MVSU on Saturday, then beat defending champ Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Monday. JSU remains tied at the top of the conference with Texas Southern, but holds the auto bid because of a better overall record.

16B. McNeese State Cowboys (Southland auto)
New Entrant
Record: 9-7 overall; 5-2 conference; 0-2 vs. RPI Top 50; 0-2 vs. RPI 51-100; 9-3 vs. RPI 150+; 3-7 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 186 Loss: 118
RPI: 154
SOS: 254
Last Week: won at Nicholls State 66-56, won at Central Arkansas 70-63
This Week: at Stephen F. Austin (Sat.)
The Southland revolving door gives us a new leader, two-loss McNeese State. Like every other entrant from this conference this season, they find themselves in Dayton

8. St. John's Red Storm (Big East at-large)
Last Week: 10
Record: 12-8 overall; 4-5 conference; 4-6 vs. RPI Top 50; 2-0 vs. RPI 51-100; 4-1 vs. RPI 150+; 5-5 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 105 Loss: 63
RPI: 24
SOS: 2
RPI 1-50 Wins: Georgetown, Notre Dame, Duke, at West Virginia
RPI 51-100 Wins: Northwestern, Providence
Bad (RPI 150+) Losses: at Fordham
Other Losses: at Georgetown, at Notre Dame, Syracuse, at Louisville, at St. Mary's, Cincinnati, St. Bonaventure
Last Week: lost at Georgetown 77-52, def. Duke 93-78
This Week: Rutgers (Wed.), at UCLA (Sat.)
Just as it appeared the Red Storm were falling back down to earth, thanks to a late collapse (after mounting a mini-run to pull to within six) at Georgetown on Wednesday, they go out and thoroughly dominate the defending national champions from Duke. After a winnable home game against Rutgers, the Johnnies have another chance to grab a big non-league win at UCLA in head coach Steve Lavin's return to Westwood.

9. Georgia Bulldogs (SEC at-large)
Last Week: 7
Record: 14-6 overall; 3-4 conference; 2-6 vs. RPI Top 50; 2-0 vs. RPI 51-100; 10-0 vs. RPI 150+; 5-4 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 175 Loss: 20
RPI: 44
SOS: 40
RPI 1-50 Wins: Kentucky, UAB
RPI 51-100 Wins: at Mississippi, Colorado
Losses: Notre Dame (N), at Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, at Vanderbilt, Temple (N)
Last Week: lost to Florida 104-91 (2OT), lost at Kentucky 66-60
This Week: at Arkansas (Wed.), Auburn (Sat.)
The Bulldogs suffered a double dose of disappointment this week, falling to archrival Florida at home in double OT on Tuesday, then losing at Kentucky by six. Two winnable games against West opponents await this week, but Georgia's remaining East games will determine their fate.

5. Louisville Cardinals (Big East at-large)
Last Week: 6
Record: 17-5 overall; 6-3 conference; 5-3 vs. RPI Top 50; 3-2 vs. RPI 51-100; 7-0 vs. RPI 150+; 3-3 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 128 Loss: 41
RPI: 23
SOS: 33
RPI 1-50 Wins: at Connecticut, West Virginia, St. John's, UNLV, Butler
RPI 51-100 Wins: Marquette, Marshall, Seton Hall
Losses: at Georgetown, Kentucky, at Villanova, Drexel, at Providence
Last Week: def. West Virginia 55-54, won at Connecticut 79-78 (2OT), lost at Georgetown 62-59
This Week: DePaul (Sat.)
Shorthanded West Virginia is the latest team to feel the power of the Cardinals' new arena, as Louisville once again mounted a comeback to grab a narrow Big East win. The Cards then grabbed a huge Big East road win, their first of impact, at UConn. However, they couldn't grab a second in a row, falling at Georgetown in a contest that wasn't pretty. Now, the Cardinals are off until DePaul comes calling on Saturday.

12. UCLA Bruins (Pac-10 at-large)
Last Week: First Four
Record: 14-7 overall; 6-3 conference; 1-4 vs. RPI Top 50; 2-3 vs. RPI 51-100; 9-0 vs. RPI 150+; 4-5 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 175 Loss: 41
RPI: 47
SOS: 31
RPI 1-50 Wins: BYU (N)
RPI 51-100 Wins: California, Washington State
Losses: at Kansas, Villanova (N), at Arizona, Washington, VCU (N), at USC, Montana
Last Week: lost at Arizona 85-74, won at Arizona State 73-72 (OT)
This Week: USC (Wed.), St. John's (Sat.)
The Bruins' case would look a bit better with a win at Arizona, which would have been UCLA's second against a top 50 opponent. UCLA fans should be thankful they beat Arizona State in OT, after blowing a double-digit second half lead. Otherwise, they'd be back outside this projection.

4. Missouri Tigers (Big 12 at-large)
Record: 16-4 overall; 3-3 conference; 4-3 vs. RPI Top 50; 1-1 vs. RPI 51-100; 10-0 vs. RPI 150+; 4-4 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 158 Loss: 32
RPI: 28
SOS: 65
RPI 1-50 Wins: Vanderbilt, Old Dominion, Illinois (N), Kansas State
RPI 51-100 Wins: Nebraska
Losses: Georgetown (N), at Texas, at Texas A&M, at Colorado
Last Week: lost at Texas 71-58
This Week: at Oklahoma State (Wed.), Colorado (Sat.), at Kansas (Mon.)
The Tigers had a hard time against Texas, particularly on the boards, especially with Laurence Bowers out injured. Now, a three-game week is on tap,with two games against desperate bubble teams on the slate before a trip to Kansas. It's gut check time for the Tigers.

13. Belmont Bruins (Atlantic Sun auto)
Record: 19-4 overall; 11-1 conference; 0-3 vs. RPI Top 50; 0-0 vs. RPI 51-100; 16-0 vs. RPI 150+; 8-4 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 229 Loss: 40
RPI: 76
SOS: 275
Last Week: lost at Lipscomb 64-53, def. Florida Gulf Coast 89-56, def. Stetson 82-64
This Week: at Jacksonville (Thu.), at North Florida (Sat.)
The Bruins dropped their first A-Sun game, falling at Lipscomb, a team they defeated by 36 at home just 12 days earlier, but they responded by crushing the two non-Jacksonville Florida schools at home. This week, they can continue their new streak in the River City.

6. Vanderbilt Commodores (SEC at-large)
Last Week: 5
Record: 15-5 overall; 3-3 conference; 3-3 vs. RPI Top 50; 4-1 vs. RPI 51-100; 8-0 vs. RPI 150+; 5-4 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 138 Loss: 41
RPI: 26
SOS: 26
RPI 1-50 Wins: North Carolina (N), St. Mary's, Georgia
RPI 51-100 Wins: Marquette, Belmont, Nebraska (N), Mississippi
Losses: West Virginia (N), at Tennessee, at Missouri, Arkansas, at South Carolina
Last Week: won at Mississippi State 81-74, lost to Arkansas 89-78
This Week: at Florida (Tue.), South Carolina (Sat.)
Vanderbilt needed just about all 40 minutes, and some spectacular late play from Jeff Taylor, to escape Starkville with a W, but they couldn't find an answer for Rotnei Clarke back home in Nashville, as they dropped their first home game of the season to Arkansas. Things will again be interesting for the Commodores, as they face inconsistent Florida in Gainesville on Tuesday, then host a South Carolina team they lost to in their SEC opener.

11. Utah State Aggies (WAC auto)
Record: 20-2 overall; 9-0 conference; 0-2 vs. RPI Top 50; 0-0 vs. RPI 51-100; 17-0 vs. RPI 150+; 8-2 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 209 Loss: 4
RPI: 30
SOS: 166
RPI 1-50 Wins: None
RPI 51-100 Wins: None
Losses: at BYU, at Georgetown
Last Week: won at San Jose State 84-65, won at Hawai'i 89-84 (2OT)
This Week: Nevada (Wed.), Boise State (Sat.)
The Aggies had no trouble in San Jose on Thursday, but almost got more than they bargained for on their trip to the islands Saturday, as they needed 10 extra minutes to defeat Hawai'i and stay unbeaten atop the WAC. Up next, a chance to sweep the Wolf Pack and Broncos.

3. Duke Blue Devils (ACC auto)
Last Week: 1
Record: 19-2 overall; 6-1 conference; 5-1 vs. RPI Top 50; 5-1 vs. RPI 51-100; 8-0 vs. RPI 150+; 7-2 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 131 Loss: 39
RPI: 12
SOS: 63
RPI 1-50 Wins: Michigan State, UAB, Boston College, Kansas State (N), Butler (N)
RPI 51-100 Wins: Marquette (N), Princeton, Maryland, Miami, at NC State
Losses: at St. John's, at Florida State
Last Week: def. Boston College 84-68, lost at St. John's 93-78
This Week: at Maryland (Wed.), NC State (Sat.)
The Blue Devils handled BC in ACC play before they were totally exposed by a loss to St. John's on a late January trip to Madison Square Garden. Duke falls from the top line, and they're going to have difficulties returning there.

14. Fairfield Stags (Metro Atlantic auto)
Record: 17-4 overall; 10-1 conference; 0-1 vs. RPI Top 50; 1-1 vs. RPI 51-100; 14-2 vs. RPI 150+; 9-3 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 241 Loss: 135
RPI: 111
SOS: 318
Last Week: def. Manhattan 61-59, def. Canisius 70-55
This Week: Iona (Fri.), Rider (Sun.)
The Stags' needed a late Derek Needham three to beat Manhattan on Friday, but that wasn't quite as dramatic as the Jaspers' win over Marist on Sunday. On Monday night, Fairfield handled Canisius and will welcome two of their closest challengers (alongside St. Peter's and Loyola) to Bridgeport this week.

7. Temple Owls (A-10 at-large)
Last Week: 8
Record: 15-5 overall; 5-2 conference; 2-3 vs. RPI Top 50; 2-2 vs. RPI 51-100; 10-0 vs. RPI 150+; 6-5 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 173 Loss: 39
RPI: 39
SOS: 79
RPI 1-50 Wins: Georgetown, Georgia (N)
RPI 51-100 Wins: Maryland (N), Seton Hall
Losses: at Villanova, Texas A&M (N), at Xavier, California (N), at Duquesne
Last Week: def. Charlotte 76-67, won at St. Joseph's 72-54
This Week: at La Salle (Wed.), Rhode Island (Sat.)
The Owls got a Lavoy Allen double-double in their Wednesday win over Charlotte, then took care of business against City rival St. Joseph's on Saturday. Another Big Five rival, La Salle, awaits on Tuesday, followed by a potentially tricky home game against URI.

10. VCU Rams (CAA auto)
Last Week: 13
Record: 18-5 overall; 10-1 conference; 2-2 vs. RPI Top 50; 2-1 vs. RPI 51-100; 13-1 vs. RPI 150+; 8-5 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 183 Loss: 92
RPI: 52
SOS: 155
RPI 1-50 Wins: at Old Dominion, UCLA (N)
RPI 51-100 Wins: Drexel, Hofstra
Bad (RPI 150+) Losses: at Georgia State
Other Losses: Tennessee (N), at UAB, at Richmond, at South Florida
Last Week: def. Hofstra 82-67, def. UNC Wilmington 79-70
This Week: at Northeastern (Wed.), at James Madison (Sat.)
The Rams are now all alone in first in the CAA after dominating previous co-leader Hofstra in Richmond on Thursday, following that win up with a surprisingly close home win over an improved UNCW side. Two road tests await, though VCU should have a more difficult time in Harrisonburg than Boston.

2. Connecticut Huskies (Big East at-large)
Record: 17-3 overall; 5-3 conference; 7-3 vs. RPI Top 50; 3-0 vs. RPI 51-100; 6-0 vs. RPI 150+; 6-2 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 128 Loss: 14
RPI: 6
SOS: 7
RPI 1-50 Wins: Kentucky (N), at Texas, Villanova, Tennessee, Michigan State (N), Wichita State (N), Harvard
RPI 51-100 Wins: at Marquette, Vermont, Rutgers
Losses: at Pittsburgh, at Notre Dame, Louisville
Last Week: won at Marquette 76-68, lost to Louisville 79-78 (2OT)
This Week: Syracuse (Wed.), at Seton Hall (Sat.)
The Huskies answered a Marquette second half run with one of their own to hand the Golden Eagles their first home loss of the season, but then dropped their first home game after two overtimes and some really questionable late decision-making against Louisville. Syracuse, losers of four straight, visits Hartford next. They're on notice.

15. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (Big South auto)
Last Week; 14
Record: 16-2 overall; 11-0 conference; 0-1 vs. RPI Top 50; 0-1 vs. RPI 51-100; 14-0 vs. RPI 150+; 8-2 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 181 Loss: 51
RPI: 80
SOS: 302
Last Week: won at High Point 82-58, won at Radford 86-63
This Week: Liberty (Thu.), VMI (Sat.)
The Chanticleers picked up a pair of easy wins to remain perfect in the Big South, but their nearest challenger, 10-1 Liberty, visits Conway on Thursday night.