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College Basketball Bubble Watch

CBSSports.com bracketologist Jerry Palm assesses the résumés of teams that may be sweating it out until Selection Sunday.

  • Saint Louis
    (26-8, 12-4, 2nd ATL10 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5991/31 | SOS/Rank: 0.5341/89
    Saint Louis logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 0-1 2-2 3-0 3-2 9-1 7-1
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Michigan State 61-65 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Billikens have six top 100 wins, which is nice, but zero against the top 40. There are no more such teams on the schedule, so they will need to wait for the conference tournament to make a big splash. In the meantime, they need to avoid a slump, and especially bad losses, like the one to Loyola Marymount.
    Connecticut
    (20-14, 8-10, 10th BIGE ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5937/32 | SOS/Rank: 0.5998/3
    Connecticut logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-6 2-2 4-2 2-1 9-2 2-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Iowa State 64-77 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    UConn has been playing hit-and-mostly-miss basketball for about a month, but the Huskies have done enough good that they should get in if they don't take on some more bad losses.
    Memphis
    (26-9, 13-3, 1st USA ) | RPI/Rank: 0.6196/16 | SOS/Rank: 0.5762/20
    Memphis logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-6 4-0 4-1 3-0 9-1 5-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Saint Louis 54-61 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    A home loss to UTEP has the Tigers falling back. It's only their first bad loss, but they don't really have too many good wins, so they need to avoid more games like that one.
    Seton Hall
    (21-13, 8-10, 9th BIGE ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5693/68 | SOS/Rank: 0.5550/49
    Seton Hall logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-4 2-3 2-2 2-0 9-3 4-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Massachusetts 67-77 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Hall doesn't have any great wins, but a handful of good ones. Beating the Hoyas would help, but it's more important not to lose to Rutgers and DePaul.
    West Virginia
    (19-14, 9-9, 8th BIGE ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5736/57 | SOS/Rank: 0.5773/18
    West Virginia logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-4 3-4 4-2 1-1 8-2 2-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Gonzaga 54-77 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Mountaineers have lost five of seven, and three of those came at home. They have played a tough schedule, but they need to build on that win at Pitt and get the momentum going their way again.
    BYU
    (26-9, 12-4, 3rd WCC ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5783/46 | SOS/Rank: 0.5272/101
    BYU logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-4 0-2 3-0 1-0 8-2 10-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Marquette 68-88 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    BYU got a win over Gonzaga at home for it's only top 50 RPI win. They still get the Zags on the road, and probably won't make the tournament if they don't get at least one more win over them or St. Mary's somewhere along the line.
    Kansas State
    (22-11, 10-8, 5th BIG12 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5787/45 | SOS/Rank: 0.5532/55
    Kansas State logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 3-4 3-3 0-1 0-0 9-2 6-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Syracuse 59-75 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Wildcats are living off wins over Missouri and Alabama, but the sweep by Oklahoma is a big negative. They cannot afford any more losses like those. Winning at Baylor was huge and makes up for some of that.
    Purdue
    (22-13, 10-8, 6th BIG10 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5779/48 | SOS/Rank: 0.5687/28
    Purdue logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 2-8 1-2 3-0 3-0 5-2 7-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Kansas 60-63 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Boilers have now swept fellow bubblers Northwestern, Illinois and Minnesota. Of course, if none of those make the field, that isn't as big a help. Top defender Kelsey Barlow was kicked of the team before the MSU game. Purdue cannot afford a bad stretch while they adjust to his loss.
    Xavier
    (23-13, 10-6, 3rd ATL10 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5813/41 | SOS/Rank: 0.5647/36
    Xavier logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-3 3-3 2-2 3-3 6-1 6-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Baylor 70-75 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Muskies have a road win over Vandy, but not a very good record against the top 50. They haven't been the same since they zipped up Cincinnati. They also missed a chance to pick up a decent win at Memphis, and Temple humiliated them recently.
  • Alabama
    (21-12, 9-7, 5th SEC West) | RPI/Rank: 0.5859/36 | SOS/Rank: 0.5679/30
    Alabama logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-3 2-3 2-2 3-2 11-1 2-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Creighton 57-58 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Tide is dealing with suspensions to a couple key players, including leading scorer JaMychal Green. They will have to prove to the committee they can play tournament quality ball without them. Or, get the players back, which could happen.
    Iowa State
    (23-11, 12-6, 4th BIG12 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5916/33 | SOS/Rank: 0.5612/39
    Iowa State logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 2-5 3-2 0-1 1-0 9-2 7-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Kentucky 71-87 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    Like a lot of teams on the bubble watch, ISU has done some good, but all at home. The win over Kansas is huge though. At some point, the Cyclones will have to prove themselves on the road. Games at Kansas St and Mizzou provide a good chance.
    Northwestern
    (19-14, 8-10, 7th BIG10 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5702/65 | SOS/Rank: 0.5753/21
    Northwestern logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-8 0-2 1-0 3-3 9-0 4-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Washington 55-76 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Cats profile is short on quality wins, but devoid of bad losses. They have now been swept by Purdue, which isn't good, but not necessarily fatal. They are only 5-10 against the RPI top 100. That may be tough for the committee to swallow.
    Miami (FL)
    (20-13, 9-7, 6th ACC ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5709/62 | SOS/Rank: 0.5591/43
    Miami (FL) logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 2-5 0-3 0-3 1-0 10-1 6-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Minnesota 60-78 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The win at Duke was huge for Miami. It was the Canes first top 50 RPI win in six tries. They also have no bad losses, but really can't afford any. Ultimately, they will need more than that win at Cameron to make the field.
    UCF
    (22-11, 10-6, 3rd USA ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5757/54 | SOS/Rank: 0.5395/76
    UCF logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-5 2-2 0-0 0-0 8-3 9-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Drexel 56-81 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Knights are hanging their hat on a win over UConn, but they will need to do more. They also beat Memphis at home, but have generally not been good against better competition.
    Washington
    (24-11, 14-4, 1st PAC12 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5658/70 | SOS/Rank: 0.5330/91
    Washington logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 0-2 0-3 1-3 3-0 7-2 10-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Minnesota 67-68 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Huskies are only 3-8 against the RPI top 100, but did sweep Arizona and don't have any losses outside the top 100. They have nothing but road games left in the regular season.
    Mississippi State
    (21-12, 8-8, 6th SEC West) | RPI/Rank: 0.5601/75 | SOS/Rank: 0.5391/78
    Mississippi State logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-2 1-2 2-2 3-3 8-2 6-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Massachusetts 96-101 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Bulldogs have lost three straight, including their first two bad losses of the season. Kentucky visits next. Bad time to be playing badly.
    North Carolina State
    (24-13, 9-7, 5th ACC ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5771/49 | SOS/Rank: 0.5712/26
    North Carolina State logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 0-8 1-0 4-1 1-1 8-2 8-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Kansas 57-60 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Wolfpack is only 2-6 vs the top 50 and has a couple of bad losses, so there isn't a lot of margin for error. Two of their wins though are at Miami and against Texas on a neutral court. That could help in competition for spots with those teams. They may live to regret the gag job at Duke and the home loss to Florida St.
    Arizona
    (23-12, 12-6, 4th PAC12 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5582/76 | SOS/Rank: 0.5228/113
    Arizona logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 0-1 1-2 2-6 2-0 10-1 8-1
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Bucknell 54-65 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    Arizona has a rare (for the Pac 12) top 50 RPI win. The Cats beat Cal on the road in their only regular season meeting. They also lost to UCLA though. It's a very bland profile, so there is little margin for error. They were also swept by Washington.
  • Colorado State
    (20-12, 8-6, 4th MWC ) | RPI/Rank: 0.6051/29 | SOS/Rank: 0.5875/9
    Colorado State logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-3 2-3 2-1 2-2 8-2 4-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Murray State 41-58 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    CSU is a homecourt hero. Five top 100 wins, all at home, and only one of any note (San Diego St). They have a gaudy RPI, but at this pace, figure to be the highest rated team left out.
    Saint Joseph's
    (20-14, 10-7, 8th ATL10 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5667/69 | SOS/Rank: 0.5542/51
    Saint Joseph's logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 2-1 0-4 1-3 3-2 10-3 4-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Northern Iowa 65-67 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Hawks are here because they have a somewhat decent RPI, but wins over Creighton, Dayton and Drexel at home aren't likely to impress the committee enough to put them in.
    South Florida
    (22-14, 12-6, 6th BIGE ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5763/52 | SOS/Rank: 0.5689/27
    South Florida logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-5 1-4 1-1 3-0 9-3 4-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Ohio 56-62 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    The Bulls are on this list only because I keep getting asked about them. They have nothing but a home win over Seton Hall going for them and three bad losses. Don't be fooled by that gaudy conference record. It came against the worst schedule in the league.
    Texas
    (20-14, 9-9, 6th BIG12 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5771/49 | SOS/Rank: 0.5769/19
    Texas logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-8 3-3 0-0 0-0 10-2 6-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Cincinnati 59-65 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    Texas is only 3-9 vs the RPI top 100, with wins against Temple and Iowa St, both at home. They also split home-and-home with Kansas State. The Horns need quality wins, and more than just a couple. They let a great chance slip away against Baylor.
    Mississippi
    (20-14, 8-8, 7th SEC West) | RPI/Rank: 0.5722/60 | SOS/Rank: 0.5586/45
    Mississippi logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 0-5 1-2 2-2 3-3 11-1 3-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Illinois State 93-96 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    Ole Miss is only 3-10 vs the RPI top 100, and all three wins came at home. The best of those was over Miami. They also have a loss to Auburn, and just got smoked at home by Vandy. The Rebels need to spring an upset or two.
    LSU
    (18-15, 7-9, 8th SEC West) | RPI/Rank: 0.5530/84 | SOS/Rank: 0.5538/53
    LSU logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-3 1-2 2-4 1-1 9-4 4-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Oregon 76-96 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    LSU is also a homecourt hero. They have five top 100 wins, all at home, including one over Marquette. The Tigers are also just a .500 team against the top 200 teams in the RPI. They have a chance to pad their record down the stretch and must take advantage.
    VCU
    (29-7, 15-3, 2nd COL ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5842/38 | SOS/Rank: 0.4998/154
    VCU logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 0-0 0-1 4-2 2-1 11-2 11-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Indiana 61-63 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    My old friends, the Rams, are the only contender in the CAA with even a borderline decent out of conference win. They won at Akron, the current MAC leader, and beat South Florida at home. Not sure that is enough to overcome a couple bad losses this time around.
    Illinois
    (17-15, 6-12, 10th BIG10 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5449/94 | SOS/Rank: 0.5674/32
    Illinois logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 3-8 0-2 2-1 2-1 5-3 5-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Iowa 61-64 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    Illinois has lost eight out of nine, most recently, a 23-point thrashing at Nebraska. A trip to Columbus to play the Buckeyes isn't usually the cure for such a malaise. Nobody on the bubble has looked LESS like a tournament team lately than the Illini.
    Minnesota
    (23-15, 6-12, 9th BIG10 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5486/90 | SOS/Rank: 0.5591/43
    Minnesota logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-8 1-1 2-1 2-2 8-2 5-0
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Stanford 51-75 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    Minnesota lost a bubble battle at Northwestern last weekend and finds themselves on the wrong side at the moment. There is still time. Michigan St, Indiana, and Wisconsin are still on the Gophers schedule.
    Dayton
    (20-13, 10-7, 7th ATL10 ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5546/81 | SOS/Rank: 0.5425/68
    Dayton logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 1-1 3-3 1-3 3-1 8-2 4-2
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Iowa 75-84 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    I'm not sure Dayton can do enough to overcome losses to Rhode Island and Miami-Ohio. They do have a smattering of nice wins though, including the fact that they are the only team to win at Temple this year.
    Cincinnati
    (26-11, 12-6, 5th BIGE ) | RPI/Rank: 0.5804/42 | SOS/Rank: 0.5444/65
    Cincinnati logo Opponent's CBSSports.com RPI Rank No. 1-25 No. 26-50 No. 51-75 No. 76-100 No. 101-200 No. 201+
    W-L Record vs. Ranked Teams 5-3 2-2 1-2 2-0 6-2 8-1
    Last Game Next Game
    Lost vs. Ohio State 66-81 vs. -NA-,
    Outlook
    Cinci has the biggest negative you can have on its resume - one of the 20 worst non-conference schedules in Division I. Not only that, the Bearcats only went 10-3 against that schedule. That's a lot to make up for, and so far, they haven't done it. They're getting there though.
 

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