I'll give you a perfect example. There is a team with an RPI of 61, they were 59th heading into their conference tournament. Here is their resume.
Overall record 23-31
SOS #2
Non Conference RPI 36
Quad 1 record 8-22
Quad 2 record 7-5
They were never in the discussion for NCAA tournament, but just based on RPI, they were at least in the area where teams that are on the bubble are.
Their name.....Florida State.