Predicting the field for GEICO Nationals

The GEICO Nationals field will be released Monday following the conclusion of state tournament play for eligible schools.

The eight-team field is shaping up as La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) and Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.) all sit in an excellent position. Those six have wrapped up regular-season play and rumors have the Warriors being a lock despite sitting in a precarious spot in this week's Top 25 rankings. The tournament runs April 4-6 in at Christ the King High School in New York City.

McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) is expected to secure an invitation if it can wrap a state title on Saturday, and University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) sits on the bubble with Sharks star Vernon Carey Jr. out with a high-ankle sprain. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.), two state champions, look to be the two teams sitting just outside the field and in need of some help this weekend.

Here's a breakdown of the field with potential tournament seeds.

Record: 28-0

National Rank: No. 2

Projected Seed: No. 1

Breakdown: The Lakers are a GEICO Nationals mainstay, expecting an invitation to their fourth consecutive tournament and seventh in the last eight seasons. La Lumiere has a strong chance to capture its second event title behind their potent 5-star post duo of Washington signee Isaiah Stewart and Keion Brooks after winning in 2017. The Lakers have beaten Top 25 opponents No. 3 Montverde Academy (twice), No. 9 Wasatch Academy, No. 10 Sunrise Christian Academy, No. 15 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and No. 17 Bishop Gorman.

Record: 31-0

National Rank: No. 1

Projected Seed: No. 2

Breakdown: With a win Saturday in the GHSA 7A state championship game over Meadowcreek (Norcross, Ga.), the Indians become a lock. A loss would put them in a tough spot as no team has ever received an invitation after a loss in state tournament play. However, this McEachern group could be the exception, even with a loss. The Indians captured titles at the City of Palms Classic and Bass Pro Tournament of Champions and boast a 9-0 record against teams featured in the Top 25 at some point this season.

Record: 21-2

National Rank: No. 3

Projected Seed: No. 3

Breakdown: The Eagles have probably faced the toughest national schedule of any team in high school basketball, going 9-2 against teams who were ranked in the Top 25 at some point this season. Even more impressive for the perennial powerhouse is how they beat those teams, outscoring those ranked foes by an average of 22.2 points per contest in the nine wins. Montverde is coming off its record setting fourth GEICO Nationals title last season and with a talented and deep roster look for this group to be serious contenders to repeat.

Breakdown: IMG Academy can no longer be looked at as just a football powerhouse as their basketball program is on track to receive their second invitation to GEICO Nationals in the last three seasons, making their first appearance in 2017. While the Ascenders had a loaded roster that season, their first-round loss to seven-seed Greensboro Day (Greensboro, N.C.) in one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. This year, look for different results as the Ascenders became the first school to feature three McDonald's All-Americans on their roster. This group has all the talent needed to win the event behind the most talented starting five in high school hoops.

Breakdown: Although Oak Hill Academy is projected to be the lowest ranked team in this year's GEICO Nationals field, rumors are that this team is very much a lock for the field. If that's the case, we will assume the Warriors receive a favorable seeding due to their prestigious history and track record at the event. Oak Hill has struggled against Top 25 opponents this season, with an 0-3 record against teams that appeared in the rankings at some point this season. Quality wins over Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.), Olive Branch (Miss.), Modesto Christian (Modesto, Calif.) and West Charlotte (Charlotte, N.C.) bolster the Warriors resume.

Breakdown: This group narrowly missed the field last season after receiving back-to-back invites in 2016 and 2017. The Tigers have yet to win at the event, dropping their previous two first-round contests to the eventual event champions, falling to Oak Hill Academy in 2016 and La Lumiere in 2017. This season, Wasatch Academy boasts a strong national resume, with signature wins over No. 10 Sunrise Christian Academy, Legacy Early Charter (Greenville, S.C.) and Meadowcreek — while losing 53-52 to projected No. 1 seed La Lumiere late in the year.

Breakdown: The Buffaloes had a GEICO Nationals bid all but wrapped up last year before being ruled ineligible due to rostering a fifth-year player. Although they possess a 1-4 record against this year's current projected field, Sunrise Christian appears to have done enough to earn its first invitation to the Big Apple. Quality wins over No. 12 University, No. 25 Duncanville (Texas), Guyer (Denton, Texas), Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia), Findlay Prep, Memphis East, and South Garland (Garland Texas) are why this group should have clinched a spot in the loaded field.

Breakdown: One year removed from their unexpected runner-up finish, the Sharks look to head back to New York City. After capping off their run to back-to-back FHSA 5A state championships this week, the major question surrounding this group is the health of Carey, the Sharks' McDonald's All-American. The Duke pledge sat out the state semifinal and title games with a high-ankle sprain and remains questionable. Will the selection committee look elsewhere for the final team with Carey's status to be able to play unknown? Outside, looking in

Record: 28-4

National Rank: No. 17

Breakdown: The Gaels are the wildcard that could surprise some people and sneak into the field after their eighth consecutive Nevada state championship last week. Bishop Gorman has a talented young group that faced a challenging national schedule this year.

Breakdown: Stepped into the national spotlight last season after an unbeaten season culminated with the WIAA 4A state title. This year, the Bullpups appear to be sitting just outside the field despite back-to-back state title runs and a huge state semifinals win over Federal Way.