I'm going to try my best to keep up with previews and wrap-ups as the Puerto Rico Tip-Off transpires, but just in case I don't, or just in case you are watching all of the games, here is a quick guide to the field. The bracket can be found here. It's a pretty solid field. Villanova, which reached the Final Four last season, is ranked #5 in the AP poll, while Dayton is #18 and Georgia Tech is #21. Fortunately for IU, all three ranked teams are on the other side of the bracket. IU opens against Mississippi and then plays the winner or loser of Boston U. and Kansas State. Only two of the participants, Villanova and Dayton, played in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
Boston University Terriers
Location: Boston, Mass.
Conference: America East
Coach: Patrick Chambers, first season
2008-09 record: 17-13 (11-5)
2008-09 RPI: 161
2008-09 Sagarin: 179
2008-09 Pomeroy: 166
Pomeroy scouting report
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2002 (lost to Cincinnati in first round)
Best NCAA Tournament performance: 1959 (lost regional final to West Virginia)
Dayton Flyers
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Conference: Atlantic 10
Coach: Brian Gregory (7th season, 125-68)
2008-09 record: 27-8 (11-5), lost to Kansas in second round of NCAA Tournament
2008-09 RPI: 27
2008-09 Sagarin: 57
2008-09 Pomeroy: 78
Pomeroy scouting report:
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2009 (see above)
Best NCAA Tournament performance: 1967 (lost to UCLA in championship game)
George Mason Patriots
Location: Fairfax, Va.
Conference: Colonial Athletic Association
Coach: Jim Larranaga (12th season, 207-131)
2008-09 record: 22-11 (13-5), lost to Penn State in first round of NIT
2008-09 RPI: 51
2008-09 Sagarin: 89
2008-09 Pomeroy: 88
Pomeroy scouting report
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2008 (lost to Notre Dame in first round)
Best NCAA Tournament performance: 2006 (lost to Florida in Final Four)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
Coach: Paul Hewitt (10th season, 154-131)
2008-09 record: 12-19 (2-14)
2008-09 RPI: 139
2008-09 Sagarin: 100
2008-09 Pomeroy: 93
Pomeroy scouting report
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2007 (lost to UNLV in first round)
Best NCAA Tournament performance: 2004 (lost to Connecticut in championship game)
Indiana Hoosiers
Location: Bloomington, Ind.
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: Tom Crean (second season, 6-25)
2008-09 record: 6-25 (1-17)
2008-09 RPI: 216
2008-09 Sagarin: 192
2008-09 Pomeroy: 212
Pomeroy scouting report
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2008 (lost to Arkansas in first round)
Best NCAA Tournament performance: 1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, 1987 (NCAA champions)
Kansas State Wildcats
Location: Manhattan, Kans.
Conference: Big 12
Coach: Frank Martin (3rd year, 43-24)
2008-09 record: 22-12 (9-7), lost to San Diego State in second round of NIT)
2008-09 RPI: 80
2008-09 Sagarin: 48
2008-09 Pomeroy: 44
Pomeroy scouting report
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2008 (lost to Wisconsin in second round)
Best NCAA Tournament performance: 1951 (lost to Kentucky in championship game)
Mississippi Rebels
Location: Oxford, Miss.
Conference: Southeastern Conference
Coach: Andy Kennedy (4th season, 61-39)
2008-09 record: 16-15 (7-9)
2008-09 RPI: 82
2008-09 Sagarin: 92
2008-09 Pomeroy: 97
Pomeroy scouting report
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2002 (lost to UCLA in first round)
Best NCAA Tournament performance: 2001 (lost to Arizona in Sweet 16)
Villanova Wildcats
Location: Villanova, Pa.
Conference: Big East
Coach: Jay Wright (9th season, 178-91)
2008-09 record: 30-8 (13-5), lost to North Carolina in Final Four
2008-09 RPI: 13
2008-09 Sagarin: 10
2008-09 Pomeroy: 14
Pomeroy scouting report
Last NCAA Tournament appearance: see above
Best NCAA Tournament performance: 1985 (NCAA champions)