VCU (20-5, 8-2) used to be #12 Saint Louis (22-2, 9-0), a ranked mid major program among the major elites. In many ways they still are (being 20-5 and all), and in other ways, Saint Louis isn't actually the VCU of old, now that both teams play in the Atlantic Ten, a step closer to the big time from the smaller (but competitive) CAA.

But it's not close to the A-10 this year, which has had three teams ranked in the top 25 (VCU, Saint Louis, and Massachusetts). Its third best team (conference-record wise), after the two playing tonight, isn't even Massachusetts, but George Washington (19-5, 7-3), having a big year of its own. The conference might get four teams in the dance.

At the moment, the Rams and the Bilikens, tied with Florida for the nation's longest current win streak at 16 games, are locks. Saint Louis' two losses were even impressive, 63-57 to #21 Wisconsin (20-5, 7-5), and 70-65 to #4 Wichita State (26-0, 13-0). Yet, a win today at 2:00 pm EST would give them their most impressive win; a loss, especially one over 10 points, could jettison them outside the top 20. A win might put them in the top 10. For their part, VCU will need a few more victories to get top 25 consideration (their best effort was an upset over current #17 Virginia earlier in the year).

The Bilikens are led by the wonder-inspiring Dwayne Evans (14.5 ppg, 50 percent fg, 6.3 rpg), a 6-foot-6, 230 pound senior guard whose physicality is described as NFL worthy (if he doesn't land in the NBA) by his coach.

"If he doesn't have a career in the NBA, I think he could in the NFL, if his 40 time is good enough," Explorers coach John Giannini said. "And I'm not joking about that. His strength and his mental toughness and his physicality are at the highest level you can find on a basketball court."

Still, I've been eyeing the Rams in this one since I saw it on the ESPN ticker, and the 5.5 points Vegas is giving them is doing nothing to deter that notion. VCU for the cover.

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Record: 15-20

Butler @ Creighton: L (picked Butler, +10.5)

UConn @ Memphis: L (picked Memphis, -7.5)

Depaul @ Villanova: W (picked Villanova, -17.5)

Pittsburg @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -5.5)

Creighton @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)

Baylor @ Kansas: W (picked Baylor, + 10.5)

Indiana @ Michigan State: L (picked Michigan State, -12)

Iowa @ Michigan: L (picked Iowa, + 1.5)

Colorado @ Arizona: W (picked Colorado, + 14.5)

Illinois @ Ohio State: W (picked Illinois, + 11)

Michigan @ Michigan State: W (picked Michigan, + 4.5)

Villanova @ Marquette: W (picked Villanova, -3)

Utah @ Arizona: W (picked Utah, + 15)

Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State: W (picked Oklahoma, + 4.5)

Villanova @ Georgetown: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)

Michigan State @ Iowa: W (picked Michigan State, + 5)

St. John's @ Creighton: W (picked St. John's, + 12)

Iowa State @ Kansas: L (picked Iowa State, + 8.5)

Syracuse @ Wake Forest: L (picked Syracuse, -10)

Purdue @ Michigan: L (picked Michigan, -12)

Florida @ Mississippi State: W (picked Miss. State, + 15)

Duke @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -3)

Xavier @ Villanova: L (picked Xavier, + 10)

Nebraska @ Michigan: L (picked Nebraska, + 13)

Boston College @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -13)

Oregon @ Arizona: L (picked Arizona, -11)

Oklahamo State @ Texas Tech: W (picked Texas Tech, + 6.5)

West Virginia @ Kansas: L (picked WVU, + 14)

Maryland @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -11)

Iowa State @ West Virginia: L (picked Iowa State, - 1.5)

Michigan @ Ohio State: L (picked Ohio State, -3.5)

Florida @ Tennessee: W (picked Florida, - 1.5)

Syracuse @ Pittsburg: W (picked Syracuse, + 2.5 -- absurd line)

Villanova @ Depaul: W (picked Villanova, -14)

Creighton @ Butler: L (picked Creighton, -8.5)