Conference USA (2 bids)
SAFELY IN: Dallas BaptistON THE BUBBLE (IN): Louisiana Tech
ON THE BUBBLE (OUT): None
One change from last week: Louisiana Tech enters our field of 64, making CUSA a two-bid league.
DBU remains in rock-solid at-large shape with a No. 20 RPI, despite its mediocre 7-5 record in the league (fifth place). Louisiana Tech boosted its case immensely by winning a road series at DBU this past weekend, then winning a midweek game against Nicholls, all of which catapulted the Bulldogs 27 spots to No. 53 in the RPI since last week. That RPI, combined with an 8-4 conference record and a 30-13 overall record, is enough to get Tech into our field (indeed, the Bulldogs were one of the last teams in our field even before receiving Wednesday’s seven-spot RPI boost). But catching first-place Western Kentucky (11-4) and/or boosting that RPI into the 40s would put the Bulldogs on much firmer ground. They are trending in the right direction.
The Hilltoppers, meanwhile, are having a great year at 29-13 overall and sitting atop the standings, but they are too far back in the RPI at No. 88, and not much better in the DSR (No. 74).
