As the college basketball season enters its crucial phase, teams on the edge of the NCAA Tournament bubble are now presenting their final arguments to the selection committee. With conference tournaments underway nationwide, these teams have a final opportunity to showcase why they deserve a spot in March Madness. Those already projected to make the tournament must maintain their position, while others on the outside need to deliver standout performances to secure a place in the bracket. The fate of teams will be determined daily leading up to Selection Sunday.
Several teams currently on the bubble according to USA TODAY Sports Bracketology are beginning their conference tournament games, with some starting on Wednesday and others on Thursday. Here is a tracking of today’s matchups and how they impact each team’s tournament prospects.
In recent actions, Ohio State suffered a critical loss to Iowa, likely ending their tournament hopes after being on the edge of the cutline for some time. Despite a back-and-forth battle, Ohio State’s late mistakes allowed Iowa to secure a 7-0 run and seal the victory. With a disappointing 17-15 record, Ohio State’s chances took a significant hit, especially after the Quad 2 loss to Iowa. While their NET ranking has kept them afloat, this latest defeat may cost them a spot in the tournament.
Arkansas faced a tough challenge against South Carolina, narrowly escaping a comeback attempt by the Gamecocks. Despite a strong first-half performance, Arkansas had to fend off a late surge from South Carolina to secure a 72-68 win. Although Arkansas was not squarely on the bubble entering the week, a loss in the SEC tournament could have jeopardized their tournament bid. Fortunately, they managed to hold on and likely secured their spot in the tournament.
Texas relied on their defense to defeat Vanderbilt in the SEC tournament, enhancing their chances of making it to the Big Dance. As a team on the cusp of the tournament, Texas needed a victory against Vanderbilt to bolster their resume and remain in contention for a spot in March Madness.
In a crucial match to stay in the running, the Longhorns showed great determination from the start, leading them to a 79-72 victory over the Commodores. Despite Vanderbilt’s strong offense reputation, Texas dominated the game early on, particularly in the post and on the boards. With a lead of 18 points and nine minutes remaining, Texas managed to secure the win, marking their sixth Quad 1 victory and keeping their tournament hopes alive. They now face Texas A&M in the next round with the opportunity to further solidify their season.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma made a strong comeback against Georgia, securing an 81-75 win after a late surge in the game. Despite Georgia’s impressive performance, Oklahoma’s sharpshooting in the first half and a standout performance by freshman guard Jeremiah Fears turned the tide in their favor. This victory marked their third consecutive Quad 1 win, potentially elevating their tournament standing. The team now looks ahead to a challenging match against Kentucky, aiming to continue their upward trajectory in the tournament.
On the other hand, North Carolina cruised to a comfortable victory over Notre Dame, setting the stage for a potential comeback in the ACC tournament. Despite the need for an impressive run, the Tar Heels’ win was a necessary step to stay in contention. Their next match against Wake Forest will be crucial, with a potential showdown against Duke looming as a deciding factor for their tournament fate.
Unfortunately, West Virginia faced a setback with a significant loss to Colorado, putting their tournament seeding in jeopardy. Despite a strong start, turnovers and a decisive run by Colorado led to a 67-60 defeat for the Mountaineers. This loss places West Virginia on the bubble, potentially impacting their tournament seeding as they await further results.
Overall, the NCAA tournament Bubble Tracker highlights the highs and lows of the teams’ pursuit of March Madness glory.
