Cornell will never get an at-large bid

If my google reader had a trending topics section a la twitter, Cornell's near upset of would be at the top of that list.

One point that has been discussed is whether or not Cornell deserves an at-large bid to the tournament.

In a word: no.

Cornell plays in the Ivy League. The Ivy League is the only conference in the country that gives their automatic bid to the champion of the regular season because they don't have a conference tournament.

The Big Red hung tough with Kansas last night.
(photo credit: LJ World)

If today was Selection Sunday, Cornell would almost assuredly be dancing. They've won at St. John's, at Alabama, and at La Salle. They are 11-3, with their only losses coming at home to Seton Hall, at Syracuse, and at Kansas last night, in a game they very well could have won. They have an RPI of 35 (before last night's game), but with just one top 50 win (and that may not be top 50 for too much longer, as St. John's is currently 50th in the RPI) and are 2-3 against the top 100.

Seeing as their non-conference slate is done, Cornell's profile has no where to go but down playing an Ivy League conference slate. Yes, they have two games left against Harvard, who is 25th in the RPI, but the only other team in the conference with an RPI better that 239 is Princeton, who is 139th.

There are not many teams playing in low-major conferences that are going to be considered for an at-large berth, which means that Cornell will be competing for one of those 31 spots with teams that are going to have numerous chances at knocking off the best in the country during conference play.

Cornell won't.

The only way that they can can be eligible for an at-large berth is if they lose the Ivy's regular season title. Assuming an absolute best case scenario, that means they go 13-1 in league play, with their only loss coming to Harvard. If Harvard also goes 13-1, it would set up a one game playoff for the automatic bid, which Cornell would then lose.

Assuming the computer numbers stay where they are, that would mean Cornell would have just two top 50 wins and would be 3-5 against the top 100. Is the committee going to give an at-large bid to a team whose marquee win is against Harvard?

Not likely.

If Cornell was to sweep Harvard during the regular season, it would mean that the Big Red would have to drop three games to Ivy opponents to hear their name on Selection Sunday. Call me crazy, but I don't see a three loss Ivy League team making the tournament.

The argument for Cornell getting an at-large bid would have merit if the Ivy League had a conference tournament. Say Cornell goes undefeated during the regular season, but loses a close game to Harvard in the tournament final.

Then the Big Red would have an legitimate gripe if they are sent to the NIT.

Yes, Harvard is a good team. Yes, Jeremy Lin is a great player. But if Cornell can't win the Ivy League, then they don't deserve to go dancing.