Bubble team time is gone. For everyone except the West Coast Conference team, the final week of the regular season is approaching.
And you can’t forget the conference tournament. Many people think that those games are not important, but they definitely do. They are not treated specially by the committee – it’s worth some reason as they are the same game as the November schedule and most of the time they are games on neutral sites. Winners are also automatically qualified and the committee needs that information.
Parentheses: Houston is the latest first species in Michigan’s surge.
Jerry Palm
There’s a massive game on Saturday, all of which are important at a level. Strap in!
Check out the Bubble Watch on Palm’s latest brackets, 68 full field, Bracketology Hub
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Saturday’s “Double Bubble” Game
Georgia in Texas
8pm | espn2, fubo (try for free)
These teams have similar profiles. Each is 9-11 vs. the top three quadrants. The Longhorns have a few more wins and another loss in Quad 2. However, the main reason why Razorbacks are moving ahead now is their win at Austin. Texas move forward in bracket hierarchy, looking for scores in a head-to-head matchup.
Other bubble teams on Saturday
North Carolina
vs. Miami, 12pm | espn, fubo (try it for free)
The Tar Heels are closing time until they play Duke next week. They certainly can’t afford to lose before that.
Arkansaud
In South Carolina, 1pm | SEC Network, fubo (try for free)
South Carolina has already been shown to be dangerous at home. The Gamecocks defeated the Longhorns last week, taking the tournament prospects a step back. This was the only conference play victory so far in South Carolina. Razorbacks make sure it’s still true on Saturday night.
Nebraska
vs. Minnesota, 2pm | Big Ten Network, fubo (try for free)
The Cornhuskers lost three of the last four, including a 17-point whipping in Pennsylvania. Even if they lost to the Gophers, they really put Nebraska in the hole.
Oklahoma
Ole Miss, 2pm | espn2, fubo (try for free)
The Sooners suffered a severe loss to Kentucky at home on Wednesday night, falling 17-1. This puts pressure on getting one or two results before the SEC tournament. After this, Oklahoma will host Missouri and travel to Texas, which could be a very important game for both teams.
Cincinnati
In Houston, 4:30pm | CBS
Cincinnati have won several important games over the past few weeks to enter this position. Now they don’t need to beat Houston to make an NCAA tournament. Winning doesn’t mean that it’s not welcome. Bearcats still have work to do, either win or lose.
Xavier
vs. Clayton, 4:30pm | FOX, fubo (try for free)
Xavier is the last team. Because there’s nothing spectacular about their profiles, but it’s almost unpleasant. But it is not going to work on the choice on Sunday. This game is essential for the musket opportunity to become a massive team in two weeks.
Vanderbilt
vs. Missouri, 6pm | SEC Network, fubo (try it for free)
The Commodore is the eighth seed of the current bracket, but they are still in the bubble as all three of the final regular season games are dangerous. After this, Vanderbilt will host Arkansas as a presumably favorite, followed by a trip to Georgia. It’s not difficult to imagine a Commodore losing all three, but one victory needs to make them clear.
Indiana
Washington, 6pm | Peacock
Indiana is only 4-11 in a quad game, and those two wins are teams that are not in the bracket. The other two are home to Michigan and Purdue, with no losses other than Quad 1. The Hoosiers begin their West Coast swing in Washington.
Boise County
Fresno State, 7pm
This is Boise State’s first climb to the bracket this season. To stay there, the Broncos need to win a game like this everywhere. Fresno was having a miserable year, and its next opponent, the Air Force, was just as bad. The loss to either of them may not be something they can recover.
San Diego State
Wyoming, 8pm | CBS Sports Network
The Aztecs are in a position to be safe for their business. You won’t beat Clayton. Houston in particular is a big help, not with other Mountain West teams. The home loss and rematch for UNLV’s pain will be next week.
Baylor
vs. Oklahoma, 8pm | ESPN+
Baylor fell out of the bracket after a loss at Cincinnati on Tuesday. That’s the Bears’ fourth loss in their last five games. All the losses hurt, but the most painful of the stretch came from Colorado. That was a loss for the Quad 2. The Cowboys’ loss is second for the Bears in the Quad 3.
West Virginia
At BYU, 10pm | espn2, fubo (try for free)
West Virginia has had several moments this season, including victory in Arizona and Kansas, but the climbers have 11 five losses to teams that are not in the bracket. Such a contradiction is why they are here. The Cougars won their first meeting in Morgantown. West Virginia needs to return favors.
San Francisco
vs. Gonzaga. 11pm | espn, fubo (try for free)
This is “must be” if Don becomes a large team in the NCAA Tournament. They don’t have a great schedule as so many meeting games are Quad 4, but because they defeated Saint Mary’s and Boise State. This is their last chance. If they lose to Gonzaga, they will become WCC Tournament champions by the time they get enough wins to become an incredible team.
Team near the cut line
NCAA Tournament Rock
Locks based on resume: 23 | Large bids in play: 14 | Automatic bids secured: 31 of 0
ACC (1) Dukebig East (2) Marquette, St. John’sbig12(5) Arizona, Iowa, Houston, Kansas, Texas Techbig Ten(7) Maryland, Michigan, Michigan, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA, Wisconsinsec(8) Alabama, Auburn, Kentispie, Missucky, Auburn, Auburn, Missucky, Morning
Note – All mentions to trends based on NCAA Tournament selection records and net rankings exclude the 2021 tournament. With shortened schedules and a relatively small number of non-meeting games, these rankings are not as reliable as they are considered.
