Bubble Watch

[BM1090]

Indiana lost a heartbreaker at Minnesota. That's a big one. IU is in deep trouble.

[ATWizJr]

Being that single, solitary one in DePaul's column should be a two ton weight around their neck.

and now PC over X.  Hurts us.

[Golden Avalanche]

and now PC over X.  Hurts us.

In short term, yes. But long term, could be great.

PC, an average squad but still considered on the bubble for some, has beaten two surefire NCAA teams in the Dunk. I think Xavier is going to finish 10-8 at best. If they "stumble" to that record and PC "surges" at the end to finish 9-9, then an MU win in the Dunk could very well be perceived in a better light than one win against X (a sweep against X, even without 45% of their scoring, would be held in higher esteem).

[muguru]

Plus PC could move into top 50 RPI by seasons end. Should MU win there, that would add another top 50 win. Same with Georgia..they are on the cusp(53) as well and perhaps even Vandy could get there yet.

[cheebs09]

Plus PC could move into top 50 RPI by seasons end. Should MU win there, that would add another top 50 win. Same with Georgia..they are on the cusp(53) as well and perhaps even Vandy could get there yet.

Good point. That would be 3 top 50 road wins if we could pull it off. I don't know if many bubble teams have 3 top 50 wins, much less on the road.

[muguru]

Good point. That would be 3 top 50 road wins if we could pull it off. I don't know if many bubble teams have 3 top 50 wins, much less on the road.

If those things happen..plus beat X and Creighton at home plus a possible X road Victory..could have MU with 7-9 top 50 RPI wins by Conf tourney. A huge task yes..but doable.

[BM1090]

Last team in Lunardi's bracket today.

It's been a very frustrating couple of weeks, but win at home Saturday and we are in pretty good shape.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Last team in Lunardi's bracket today.

It's been a very frustrating couple of weeks, but win at home Saturday and we are in pretty good shape.

Color me shocked he has Illinois State in.  Pretty much said on Twitter the other day that they have very little chance of making it as an at large.  Too bad they didn't drop that game to Missouri State last night.  Watched the last couple minutes, and not gonna lie, they looked pretty terrible.

[BM1090]

Color me shocked he has Illinois State in.  Pretty much said on Twitter the other day that they have very little chance of making it as an at large.  Too bad they didn't drop that game to Missouri State last night.  Watched the last couple minutes, and not gonna lie, they looked pretty terrible.

I think his Illinois state opinion is mostly because they have no way to improve their resume. They may be in now, but their computer numbers will plummet with any loss.

Marquette and Illinois state are the last two teams in...but Marquette has 5 games left. 4 opportunities for a good win and only one opportunity at a bad loss.

Illinois State has no opportunities for a good win unless they meet WSU in the MVC tourney. No chance to improve their profile from here, really.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I think his Illinois state opinion is mostly because they have no way to improve their resume. They may be in now, but their computer numbers will plummet with any loss.

Marquette and Illinois state are the last two teams in...but Marquette has 5 games left. 4 opportunities for a good win and only one opportunity at a bad loss.

Illinois State has no opportunities for a good win unless they meet WSU in the MVC tourney. No chance to improve their profile from here, really.

True.  And frankly, there just aren't very many mid majors that have the resume to steal a bid.  Quickly going though the non P6 conferences, you have:

AAC
Locks: SMU, Cinci
Back-end Bubble: Houston

A10:
Bubble: VCU, Dayton (both are probably safe, barring collapses down the stretch)

CUSA:
Backend Bubble: Middle Tennessee

MVC:
Bubble: Wichita State (should be safe), Illinois State

MWC:
Back-end Bubble: Nevada

WCC:
Locks: Gonzaga, St. Marys

MAC:
Back-end Bubble: Akron

Sunbelt:
Back-end Bubble: UT Arlington

That is literally it.  And Arlington, Akron, Nevada, Middle Tennessee and Houston are real reaches. They likely have to win their conference tourneys to get in, but we should be rooting for them to (sans Houston), just in case.  There just aren't going to be very many bid stealers this year, hence you'll probably see a record number of sub .500 P6 conference teams make the dance.

[Golden Avalanche]

Last team in Lunardi's bracket today.

It's been a very frustrating couple of weeks, but win at home Saturday and we are in pretty good shape.

Not terrible considering we're on the fourth of a six day stretch where literally every other bubble team can improve their standing at the expense of MU having a bye week.

[MU82]

True.  And frankly, there just aren't very many mid majors that have the resume to steal a bid.  Quickly going though the non P6 conferences, you have:

AAC
Locks: SMU, Cinci
Back-end Bubble: Houston

A10:
Bubble: VCU, Dayton (both are probably safe, barring collapses down the stretch)

CUSA:
Backend Bubble: Middle Tennessee

MVC:
Bubble: Wichita State (should be safe), Illinois State

MWC:
Back-end Bubble: Nevada

WCC:
Locks: Gonzaga, St. Marys

MAC:
Back-end Bubble: Akron

Sunbelt:
Back-end Bubble: UT Arlington

At the risk of sounding stupid ... what's a back-end bubble?

Doesn't have anything to do with J-Lo, does it?

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

At the risk of sounding stupid ... what's a back-end bubble?

Doesn't have anything to do with J-Lo, does it?

Lol, was just referring to a team that is a borderline bubble team, ie: a long shot without winning their conference tourney.

[BM1090]

Bubble games tonight (2/16)

Wisconsin @ Michigan

Utah @ Oregon

Texas A&M @ Vanderbilt

The last two are more fringe bubble games. Need to win to even get near the bubble. But still, figured I'd throw them on here.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Bubble games tonight (2/16)

Wisconsin @ Michigan

Utah @ Oregon

Texas A&M @ Vanderbilt

The last two are more fringe bubble games. Need to win to even get near the bubble. But still, figured I'd throw them on here.

Putting aside the badgers being the badgers, do you think we prefer UW or Michigan to win? I'd go UW.

[BM1090]

Putting aside the badgers being the badgers, do you think we prefer UW or Michigan to win? I'd go UW.

UW for sure.

But i still don't know how I feel about cheering for them. And Koenig is out tonight.

[vogue65]

If we get in we get blown away anyway, what's the point?   Better not get humiliated, and build a competitive team, "at the highest level".

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

If we get in we get blown away anyway, what's the point?   Better not get humiliated, and build a competitive team, "at the highest level".

keep your nonsense in your thread.

[cheebs09]

Bubble games tonight (2/16)

Wisconsin @ Michigan

Utah @ Oregon

Texas A&M @ Vanderbilt

The last two are more fringe bubble games. Need to win to even get near the bubble. But still, figured I'd throw them on here.

I think we want Vandy to win. Are they close to the Top 50 category?

[BM1090]

I think we want Vandy to win. Are they close to the Top 50 category?

I think we do too, and they are currently 62

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

If we get in we get blown away anyway, what's the point?   Better not get humiliated, and build a competitive team, "at the highest level".

[muguru]

I think we want Vandy to win. Are they close to the Top 50 category?

This. Vandy isn't going dancing, so we need them to win as much as possible the rest of the way to move into the top 50 RPI category and give MU another top 50 win. Same with Georgia, they are 53...so they are right on the cusp.

[vogue65]

This. Vandy isn't going dancing, so we need them to win as much as possible the rest of the way to move into the top 50 RPI category and give MU another top 50 win. Same with Georgia, they are 53...so they are right on the cusp.

That may be all well and good but we really need to stop with the hook shots, shoot more 3's, play more zone and not try and run with the big dogs.

[BM1090]

Don't like the guy at all but you can tell how important Koenig is to Wisconsin. They look listless offensively without him

[muguru]

Don't like the guy at all but you can tell how important Koenig is to Wisconsin. They look listless offensively without him

Honestly, they just aren't that good. Their record was built by playing NOBODY in the BIG and now that teams have figured out the key is to double Happ..they are in trouble.