If a catchphrase being thrown around by some members of the NCAA Tournament selection committee becomes the determining criteria, Air Force should gain a spot in the 65-team field.
Air Force’s best chance of staying in contention for a tournament berth rests in what is being called its “body of work” (i.e. entire season). Included on the Falcons’ résumé are a 17-1 start and early-season wins over Texas Tech, Stanford and Wake Forest.
“I know the committee will be looking at the whole body of work,” Stan Morrison, athletic director at Cal-Riverside and a rookie member of the selection committee, said Thursday. “I think Air Force is one on our radar for all the right reasons.”
Karl Benson, commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference and in his first year off the committee, predicted Air Force’s body of work will be enough of a positive influence on the committee to get the Falcons in. However, he said the current three-game losing streak will be a drawback for their placement in the field.
“I think teams on a hot streak at the end of the season are looked at more favorably,” Benson said. “But I think in Air Force’s case the losses at the end of the season will have a greater impact on the seeding process than the selection process.
“Air Force clearly demonstrated until a few games ago that they were legitimate and an easy at-large selection. They haven’t lost that designation.”
The Falcons lost their regular-season finale 62-58 to BYU, the setback ending Air Force’s 30-game winning streak in Clune Arena and dropped their record to 23-7.
However, the NCAA Tournament selection committee will be working with Air Force’s RPI rating that takes into consideration record and strength of schedules.
“I’ve been watching the top end of the Mountain West Conference and I’m fascinated by what I’m seeing,” Morrison said. “I know what I’m looking at. I saw Air Force’s game against BYU and I saw how hard they played.”
The Falcons resume practice Sunday for next week’s conference tournament in Las Vegas. Coach Jeff Bzdelik said his players need the extra time off to regain their strength and their place academically.
“Our players were getting so far behind academically, they needed the time,” Bzdelik said. “I just want to make sure our team is playing as well as it can play next week in the tournament.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@dnevferpsot.com.
