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With Selection Sunday just days away, popular ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas unveiled his version of the field of 68.
Bilas referred to his rankings as “The Bilas Plan.” The criteria for his rankings obviously doesn’t factor in automatic bids for teams who win their respective conference tournaments.
Essentially, Bilas is giving out 68 at-large bids. His way of ranking the field of 68 is by naming the top 68 teams in college basketball, from his perspective.
There are no surprises at the top, with Gonzaga remaining as the No. 1 team, with Baylor coming in at No. 2. Three Big Ten teams, Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa, round out of the top five.
So, where does Bilas see the LSU Tigers ahead of the NCAA Tournament?
Bilas has LSU at No. 39, behind five other SEC teams. Here is Bilas’ assessment of the Tigers.
The Tigers haven’t been consistent this season but are dangerous because they’re really talented. Cameron Thomas is an NBA first-round pick and absolutely lit it up in a key win over Missouri on Sunday, scoring 29 points and making 8 of 9 field-goal attempts from inside the arc. If this team hits its stride, look out.
Bilas is right; this LSU team does lack consistency. However, the Tigers have four legitimate scoring options in Thomas, Trendon Watford, Darius Days, and Javonte Smart, which make them dangerous in March.
LSU, which is the No. 3 seed in the SEC Tournament, will play the winner of Ole Miss/South Carolina on Friday in the quarterfinals.
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