Bracketology: Big Ten, Big 12 bubble battles

As we enter the final week of the regular season, drama is building for some Big Ten and Big 12 bubble teams.  Wisconsin, Michigan and Penn State all sit along the bubble this morning.  Same for West Virginia and Oklahoma State in the Big 12.  And we can’t eliminate Texas Tech.

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There’s also some drama in the Mountain West.  Boise State is trying to hold on and Utah State remains in play.  New Mexico likely needs a strong finish after a rough patch.  Let’s not overlook Memphis or NC State, either.  Both of those teams currently own one of the Last 4 Byes.

Along the No. 1 seed line, it’s looking more and more likely that Alabama, Houston and Kansas will be No. 1 seeds.  The final spot figures to be between Purdue, UCLA or perhaps Texas.

Expect more frequent updates this week.  March arrives Wednesday.

Bracketology: Interesting twists on the Bubble

We’ll save the No. 1-seed ordering debate for another day.  Right now, some interesting twists have developed along the bubble heading into the final week of the regular season.

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Once buried, both Michigan and Texas Tech have climbed enough rungs to find themselves among the Next Four Out this morning.  The Wolverines posted a road win at Rutgers Thursday night to add a little more punch.  If it feels like we’ve seen this before, it’s probably because we have some deja vu when it comes to the Maize and Blue.  Late-season charges seem to be a mantra.  While Texas Tech’s non-conference schedule remains a significant hurdle, additional Quad 1 opportunities await in the Big 12.  Climbing or fading are both yet possible.

Bracketology: Alabama leads, Northwestern rising

The 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Selection Committee provided us a glimpse of their Top 16 seeds heading into action on Saturday.  To no one’s surprise, Alabama, Houston, Purdue and Kansas enter the stretch run as No. 1 seeds.  Today’s bracket reflects the Committee’s view with one slight adjustment, Kansas State and Iowa State flipped spots on the seed list due to Saturday’s outcome.

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Two of the most notable climbers this morning: Northwestern and Kentucky.

Northwestern blew out Iowa in Evanston Sunday evening, moving to 7-4 vs. Quad 1 teams and 3-0 vs. teams in Quad 1A.  The purple Wildcats’ resume includes a win over Purdue and a sweep of Indiana.  We’ll see if Northwestern can finish strong and hold its position.  Thanks to a myriad of similar profiles from seeds Lines 7 to 9 – it was re-ordered several times – Kentucky’s wire-to-wire victory over Tennessee (and season sweep of the Volunteers) pushed UK into the final spot on the 7-seed line.  The Cats were also helped by Maryland’s loss at Nebraska.  UK has quietly compiled nine wins against Quads 1/2, moving them safely into the Field.

The bubble is rather mundane.  Charleston and North Texas are squarely in the mix as teams like Oregon and North Carolina continue to fade.  If the Tar Heels are going to make a late surge, it has to start immediately.

QT: Wild Saturday, Sunday’s Bracket Impact Games

Another tumultuous Saturday in college hoops.  Desperate for more victories, West Virginia and Wisconsin both lost a home.  Kentucky may have punched its ticket by sweeping Tennessee.  Clemson dropped a can’t-lose game at Louisville, a third Quad 4 loss. Utah State rallied and put away a critical home game against Nevada.  Illinois stumbled late at Indiana and missed a golden opportunity to firm up its seeding potential.

The list could go on-an-on …

Oh, and the Selection Committee revealed its initial Top 16, with Kansas fourth (beyond Purdue and Houston) despite having 12 (now 13) Quad 1 victories.  Things that make you go, hmm.  Purdue hosts fading Ohio State today and closes with three of four at home; the Boilermakers lone road trip is to Wisconsin.

Ahead to Sunday’s Bracket Impact Games:

North Carolina at NC State – If North Carolina is going to make a late push, it starts today in Raleigh.  NC State’s bracket status is okay this morning, but a late slide would not be advised.

QT: Saturday’s 10 biggest Bracket Impact Games

It would take too many words to cover every potential Bracket Impact Game on Saturday.

So we’ll stick with the biggest 10.  Here we go …

Baylor at Kansas – Baylor improves its potential for a No. 1 seed with a win in Lawrence.  Kansas is currently one spot ahead of Purdue for the Midwest region, and KU would love to go through Des Moines and Kansas City.

Seton Hall at Connecticut – A strong finish would put Connecticut back in the 2-3 line discussion.  Seton Hall trying for a season sweep of the Huskies and gain a huge bubble boost in the process.

Illinois at Indiana – Illinois could use another “splash” on its resume (something more current than December).  This would qualify.  Indiana still has hopes of earning a three-seed.