Conference championship week in men’s college basketball has a means of getting out a feeling of emergency for teams around the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Most intriguing are conference tournament matchups between two bubble teams. Win and advance. Or lose and wait to listen to regarding your postseason fate.
Such was the situation for many Big East teams: Seton Hall began Thursday among the “next four out” however vaulted in the line by knocking off fellow bubble foe St. John’s within the Big East quarterfinals. St. John’s had just lately taken Xavier’s place among the “last four in” to begin your day however will fall from the forecasted field of 68.
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Duke’s season found a rapid finish following a positive COVID-19 test with COVID-19 let towards the team’s ACC Tournament game against Florida Condition to become known as off. Without playing that game, nowhere Devils’ credentials aren’t enough to visit dancing. Fellow ACC bubble team Syracuse is a closer call. Following the Orange defeated New York Condition on Wednesday, they fell on the buzzer-beater to top-seeded Virginia.
Here’s a glance at all of the winners and losers around the NCAA tournament bubble from heading into Friday’s conference tournament action:
Winners
Seton Hall (First four out). The Pirates (14-12, 10-9 Big East) beat St. John’s 77-69 in overtime. This victory moves them to the “first four out” but they’ll have to win Friday against Georgetown within the semifinals in which to stay this mixture for any likely place within the First Four. It hurts Seton Hall the Hoyas upset Villanova since the chance to conquer ‘Nova will be a better boost towards the profile. The Pirates’ tournament resume includes a Internet score within the high 50s like a weakness however a top-30 strength of schedule can help.
Syracuse (In – No. 12 seed). Despite losing to top-seeded Virginia on the buzzer-beater on Thursday, the Orange (16-9, 9-7 ACC) are squeezing in to the forecasted field among the “last four in.” They’ve done enough by beating New York Condition within the second round – their third win consecutively. Still, without another game to experience, it’s destined to be close for coach Jim Boeheim’s team. The committee might find only one Quadrant 1 win around the team’s profile.
Wichita Condition (In – No. 11 seed). The Shockers (16-4, 11-2) could not afford a poor loss, so surviving Florida 68-67 within the American Sports Conference quarterfinal matchup would be a much-needed win. WSU’s Internet score within the 60s is difficult, much like just two Quadrant 1 wins. There is however enough there otherwise, together with a top-15 non-conference strength of schedule.
Utah Condition (First four out). The Aggies (19-7, 15-4 Mountain West) hammered UNLV 74-53 within the Mountain West Tournament quarterfinals in which to stay consideration to have an at-large bid. They are presently around the “first four out” line due to there being 3 Quad 1 wins and something Quad 2 victory around the resume. .
Ole Miss (Next four out). The Rebels (16-10, 10-6) are some of the “next four out” group following an SEC tournament make an impression on Sc. Coach Kermit Davis’ group has won three consecutively but lost to Vanderbilt on March 6 for any major résumé stain. More winning is required to have an at-large bid.
Rutgers (In – No. 10 seed). The Scarlet Knights (15-10, 10-10 Big Ten) handled Indiana 61-50 within the Big Ten tournament’s second round. Beginning your day like a relatively secure No. 10 seed, this win fully safeguards Rutgers’ inclusion in March Madness. A high-40 Internet score and five Quad 1 victories is going to be too appealing for that committee to miss.
Maryland (In – No. 10 seed). Inside a matchup between two likely safe Big Ten bubble teams, the Terrapins (16-12, 9-11 Big Ten) got past Michigan Condition 68-57 within the Big Ten’s second round before falling against Michigan on Friday. Five Quad 1 wins along with a top-15 strength of schedule solidifies an at-large bid.
Georgia Tech (In – No. 9 seed). The Yellow Jackets (16-8, 11-6 ACC) are not just from the bubble. They are among the hottest teams going dancing, getting won seven consecutively. Beating ACC bottom-feeder Miami (Fla.) 70-66 within the tournament quarterfinal was essential to avoid a late setback.
Connecticut (In – No. 9 seed). Another formality, the Huskies (15-6, 11-6 Big East) performed themselves from the bubble because of a 94-60 make an impression on Big East doormat DePaul within the quarterfinals.
Colorado Condition (In – No. 12 seed). The Rams (18-5, 14-4) are barely within the forecasted field. Beating Fresno Condition 72-62 on Thursday within the Mountain West Conference tournament was essential to remain on the best side from the bubble. Just two Quadrant 1 wins along with a strength of schedule of 120 will not impress the choice committee, so CSU must win more to remain safe.
Losers
Southern Methodist (First four out). The Mustangs required to win their opener within the American Sports Conference tournament to become seriously considered to have an at-large bid. They lost 74-71 to Cincinnati within the quarterfinals despite Kendric Davis’ 35 points. Coach Tim Jankovich’s team has decent tournament credentials only one area the committee will probably harp on is going to be scheduling – SMU includes a non-conference strength of schedule within the 270s. Consequently, this program owns zero Quadrant 1 wins.
Duke (Out). Nowhere Demons (13-11, 9-9 ACC) made an appearance to become playing themselves into NCAA Tournament contention after beating Louisville on Wednesday however a positive COVID-19 test inside the program ended its season on the sour note..
St. John’s (First four out). After beginning your day among the “last four in,” Thursday’s loss to Seton Hall flipped the Red Storm (16-11, 10-9 Big East) to among the “first four out.” The committee will probably bare this team out with different Internet score within the 60s along with a non-conference strength of schedule within the 230s.
Boise Condition (In – No. 12 seed). The Broncos (18-8, 14-6 Mountain West) fell to Nevada 89-82 within the quarterfinal from the Mountain West Tournament. That setback – the 3rd consecutive loss towards the Wolf Pack – might be pricey with this team that’s hanging onto a place within the First Four. Boise State’s resume features the 2nd best non-conference strength of schedule in the united states along with a Internet score within the low 40s. But you will find just two Quadrant 1 wins to choose a poor loss to Fresno Condition.
Xavier (First four out). The Musketeers (13-8, 6-7 Big East) lost 70-69 in overtime to Butler within the Big East tournament’s first round. That loss might cost Xavier a go at playing within the NCAA tourney. They went from “last four in” to “first four out” using the loss and today sit and wait for tense Selection Sunday.
Stanford (out). The Cardinal (14-13, 10-10) solidified their place after losing within the first round from the Pac-12 tournament to California. Stanford is at this mixture to notch an at-large bid before losing its final five games of year.
NCAA Tournament language explainer:
Internet means the NCAA Evaluation Tool, the barometer for that selection committee. It offers game results, strength of schedule, game location, scoring margin (capping at 10 points per game), and internet offensive and defensive efficiency.
Quadrant 1 wins: Home games versus. 1-30 Internet teams Neutral-site games versus. 1-50 Internet Away games versus. 1-75 Internet
Quadrant 2 wins: Home games versus. 31-75 Internet Neutral-site games versus. 51-100 Internet Away games versus. 76-135 Internet
Quadrant 3 wins: Home games versus. 76-160 Internet Neutral-site games versus. 101-200 Internet Away games versus. 136-240 Internet
Quadrant 4 wins: Home games versus. 161-plus Internet Neutral-site games versus. 201-plus Internet Away games versus. 241-plus Internet
Note: Most record information is used from WarrenNolan.com. The Internet rankings (NCAA Evaluation Tool) are also a reference.
About our bracketologist: Shelby Mast continues to be projecting the area since 2005 on his website, Bracket W.A.G. He became a member of USA TODAY in 2014. In the eighth season as our national bracketologist, Mast has finished among the top three bracketologists previously seven March Madnesses. He’s also predicted for that Indiana Star, collegeinsider.com and it is an inaugural person in the Super 10 Selection Committee. Follow him on Twitter @BracketWag.