CBB: Bubble Breakdown
Right Side of the Bubble:
• Nebraska (21-9, 12-5)
• UCLA (19-8, 10-5)
• Kentucky (19-9, 8-7)
Nebraska (21-9, 12-5) needs doesn't need much more than to just protect their home floor, which they did against Indiana earlier this week, in a 66-57 win. If the Cornhuskers can win their season finale against Penn State on Sunday then they should be in the tournament. UCLA (19-8, 10-5) is tied for second place in the Pac-12, but because of a three-game skid earlier in the season, the Bruins are right on the bubble. With three games remaining, all on the road, Steve Alford's crew must steal at least one to have a shot at the Big Dance. Kentucky (19-9, 8-7) was on a four-game losing streak prior to Saturday's win over Alabama, and then the Wildcats kept up the momentum with a much-needed road win over fellow bubble team Arkansas. The Wildcats just need to get one win in their final three games to clinch a berth and that should come soon, with games against Missouri, Ole Miss, and then the season finale at Florida.
Work To Be Done:
• Penn State (19-10, 9-7)
• Louisville (18-9, 8-6)
• Missouri (18-9, 8-6)
Penn State (19-10, 9-7) has had a surprisingly good season, but it hasn't been enough to clinch a spot in the NCAA Tournament just yet. They've earned a pair of big time wins over Ohio State, but an early season slip-up to Rider might come back to bite them, unless they're able to upset Michigan tonight. Louisville (18-9, 8-6) was a big part of the news cycle on Tuesday after their 2013 title was vacated, but they still need more in order to reach the tournament this season. The Cardinals have had two opportunities to get big wins on their home floor, against Syracuse and North Carolina, and failed to do so both times, so unless they can upset Duke or Virginia, the Cards might be out of luck. Missouri (18-9, 8-6) has lost two games in a row, to LSU and Ole Miss, and that's troubling for their tournament hopes, especially since the most recent loss was at home. The Tigers need wins desperately, so an upset over Kentucky this weekend would go a long way.
Wrong Side of the Bubble:
• Washington (18-9, 8-6)
• Syracuse (18-9, 7-7)
• Texas (16-11, 6-8)
• Oklahoma (16-11, 6-9)
Washington (18-9, 8-6) still has four more games left, which is more than most teams on this list, but that would mean needing at least a 2-2 finish to the season to reach the tournament. Syracuse (18-9, 7-7) is on the bubble for the third year in a row. If they are going to have a shot at another Final Four berth, the Orange need to pick up wins over Boston College and Clemson to close out the year, but that's easier said than done. Texas (16-11, 6-8) had to get a win on the road over Oklahoma last Saturday, and Shaka Smart's team pulled it off, beating the Sooners, 77-66. But the rest of the schedule isn't kind: Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and West Virginia. The 'Horns have to win at least two of them to have a chance. Oklahoma (16-11, 6-9) is in the midst of a six-game losing streak, but a home game against Kansas State should fix what's broken. But if the Sooners lose than one, all bets are off, and Trae Young might miss the NCAA Tournament.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.
