Bubble Watch
It is officially March and we are in the home stretch. This is the time of year bubble teams either rise or their tournament hopes die. No one really knows where each team stands, but there is some consensus as to which teams have some work to do.
With little less than a week before conference tournaments, teams from around the country have one last chance to leave an impression on the selection committee.
Penn State
One of the more inconsistent teams in the country. When the Nittany Lions are hitting their three-pointers, they are unbeatable. However, when players like Seth Lundy or Andrew Funk are cold like they were Sunday against Rutgers, anyone has a chance against Penn State.
Before Sunday’s 59-56 defeat to Rutgers, Penn State was firmly on the bubble and was considered one of the “first four” teams on the outside looking in. Now the Nittany Lions have some work to do after blowing a 19-point lead at home against the Scarlet Knights.
This is a team that has the talent to compete in the big dance. Senior guard Jalen Pickett is considered one of the better players in the nation and a shoo-in for first-team All-Big Ten.
The problem for the Nittany Lions has been the play around the basket. Penn State has lacked that presence in the paint that can match up against the opposing team’s big man. Freshman Kebba Nije will need to step up down the stretch if Penn State wants to work its way back into the tournament.
North Carolina
The Tar Heels are a team no one wants to face come March. In Hubert Davis’ first year, North Carolina limped their way into the postseason and eventually went on an unforgettable run that took them to the finals against Kansas.
This North Carolina team finds themselves in a similar position from last year. The Tar Heels recently had a crushing loss to their in-state rivals, North Carolina State. However, Davis’ squad was able to bounce back and get a season-defining win against No.6 Virginia, who sits towards atop the ACC.
This blue-blood team has had an up-down season. But there is no arguing the fact this is a talented squad with the likes of Armando Bacot, RJ Davis, and Caleb Love who are all returnees from last year’s squad.
Michigan
This Michigan team was an afterthought and considered left for dead. However, Juwan Howard’s squad has slowly worked its way back onto the bubble.
In a do-or-die game, the Wolverines were able to prevail against Wisconsin at home. Hunter Dickinson, who has taken on the villain role in college basketball, hit a game-tying three as time was expiring to send the game to overtime.
Michigan from that point forward was able to pull away from the Badgers. Wisconsin now is on the outside looking in, and Michigan has a real shot at making the tournament.
Aidan Torok is a third-year majoring in telecommunications and minoring in broadcast journalism and political science. To contact him, email ajt6051@psu.edu.
