Under .500 and dancing. (Coach's Court).

With the regular season coming down the stretch, all the elements that determine NCAA at-large berths receive extra scrutiny. And one of the most hotly debated topics every season is whether teams under .500 in conference play are deserving of NCAA bids.

Alabama and Indiana are two interesting cases for the tournament committee. Both are in danger of finishing under .500 in their conference, but both deserve to get in. Alabama beat Oklahoma, Xavier and Ohio State early this season; Indiana beat Maryland, Gonzaga and Virginia.

That--along with solid overall records should be a satisfactory tournament resume. The committee has emphasized that it will closely look at all the factors when selecting the 34 at-large berths, and that's the way it should be. If you play a tough nonconference schedule and pick up some quality wins, a losing conference record shouldn't automatically keep you out.

On the other hand, teams sometimes create problems for the committee by struggling in nonconference games, then coming on strong late. This is what always saved Steve Lavin's UCLA teams until this season. In the Big East, Seton Hall started slow, then won seven games in a row.

Basically, there always will be controversy with the selection of the last few at-large ...