By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Xavier University is beginning to resemble an NCAA Tournament "bubble team" after the Musketeers posted their sixth straight victory Saturday against Dayton.

"They're on the bubble," said ESPN.com bracketologist Joe Lunardi. "They can't lose any of those last four games. If they do that (win), they're more in than out."

Xavier's coaches and players aren't going to get caught up in prognosticating, but at No. 52 in the ratings percentage index according to CollegeRPI.com, Xavier likely has moved into at-large consideration for the NCAA Tournament selection committee. Xavier (16-9, 7-5 Atlantic 10) was No. 81 in the RPI after losing at Dayton Jan. 31.

"My mind is not even worried about what the selection committee is talking about," senior guard Lionel Chalmers said. "We can't control that."

Unless it wins the conference tournament, Xavier probably needs to remain unbeaten through at least the A-10 semifinals to have a strong claim for one of the 34 at-large NCAA bids.

Anywhere from 22 to 26 of those bids are locked up by teams that might not win their conference tournaments, but have turned in impressive seasons.

After breaking out of its January slump, Xavier has become a bubble team along with Utah, Michigan State, Kent State and several others.

Of Xavier's four Top 50 RPI wins, only one occurred away from Cintas Center: the Feb. 10 win at Richmond. Another marquee road victory could come in the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Dayton, March 10-13.

Xavier could also be contending with teams from its own conference for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Dayton (20-6, 10-3) is a legitimate candidate for an at-large bid, but the Flyers must finish well after losing three of four games.

Richmond (16-10, 8-5) has one of the conference's best non-league wins against Kansas, but has too many losses.

George Washington, with an RPI of 63, is the Musketeers' highest-rated opponent left. So winning its last four games might not boost Xavier's RPI.

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com