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There are always a handful of teams that really help shape the bubble come March. These are the five mid-major teams that have the best shot of getting an at-large bid if they fail to clinch an automatic berth.

Baylor is the clear-cut overall No. 1 seed; Nebraska, Maryland and Ohio State are better than expected; Delaware is here to stay; and Gonzaga's placement in the bracket once again creates a dilemma.

Step 1 -- the nonconference portion of the season -- is over. Now it's time for phase 2, or conference play, which really establishes a season's direction and personality.

Saturday's Tennessee-Stanford matchup is hardly the only pivotal nonconference game coming up. Between now and Christmas Day, several teams will play big games that will have an impact on the tourney selection process.