CBB: Bubble Breakdown
Right Side of the Bubble:
• Michigan (21-7, 10-5)
• Louisville (18-8, 8-5)
• UCLA (17-8, 8-5)
Michigan (21-7, 10-5) has won two in a row, and four of their last five, which has pretty much resulted in them being a lock for the NCAA Tournament. The Wolverines finish the season with games against Ohio State, Penn State, and Maryland. If they can win two of those games, then expect this team to finish somewhere between a No. 5-7 seed. Louisville (18-8, 8-5) should be in good spirits for the time being, but that could change extremely quickly in the ACC. The Cardinals are on a two-game winning streak, but finish the season versus North Carolina, Duke, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and NC State. That's not a favorable schedule to say the least, but if they can win at least two of them, then the Cards should be safely in the field. UCLA (17-8, 8-5) earned a much-needed 82-74 victory over No. 13 Arizona last week to cap off a four-game winning streak, but then they slipped up and lost to Arizona State. With five games remaining in the regular season, the Bruins must win at least three of them. That's easier said than done, though, since the Bruins' season ends with three consecutive road games against Utah, Colorado, and USC.
Work To Be Done:
• Kentucky (17-9, 6-7)
• Oklahoma (16-9, 6-7)
• Missouri (18-8, 8-5)
Kentucky (17-9, 6-7) is somehow squarely on the bubble since they are in the midst of a four-game losing skid, which was highlighted by a 76-66 loss to No. 10 Auburn earlier this week. The Wildcats can't afford to lose many more games which means a home game against Alabama is nearing must-win territory. If they don't get to the 20-win plateau then their resume is in serious jeopardy, so defeating Alabama, Missouri, and Ole Miss are getting more and more important. Oklahoma (16-9, 6-7) is also on a four-game losing streak, which began with their 79-74 loss to Texas. And it hasn't gotten any better since then as freshman sensation Trae Young has struggled lately. The Sooners are on the right side of the bubble for now, but another loss to the Longhorns this weekend could change that up quickly. Missouri (18-8, 8-5) is right on the verge of reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the Phil Pressey days, and it's without their best player, Michael Porter Jr. They are third in the SEC and likely need just two more wins to clinch a bid. That could come next week if they can get a road win over LSU and protect their home floor against Ole Miss.
Wrong Side of the Bubble:
• Penn State (19-9, 9-6)
• Oregon Ducks (17-9, 7-6)
• Syracuse (17-9, 6-7)
• Texas (15-11, 5-8)
Penn State (19-9, 9-6) is somehow playing really good ball, having won four straight games, including a big time upset over No. 8 Ohio State last night. That win will go a long way in getting the Nittany Lions into the Big Dance. Oregon (17-9, 7-6) is in fifth place in the Pac-12 and losing last night to USC hurt their chances a bit. After going to the Final Four last year, there was so much turnover, and it may ending costing the Ducks a berth in the tournament. Syracuse (17-9, 6-7) had an opportunity to get a much-needed win over NC State, and weren't able to do so, going down 74-70. Now with their next game against Miami, the Orange are expected to take another loss which would be their 10th. Texas (15-11, 5-8) is tumbling all of a sudden. After their upset victory over Oklahoma, it looked like the Longhorns were primed for a successful February, but since then, the 'Horns are 0-3 by a combined -20 points. With five games left, Shaka Smart's team desperately needs wins, but they aren't going to come easy as they face Oklahoma, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and West Virginia. This is looking more and more like an NIT team.
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