NCAA March Madness Bubble Watch: Feb. 7
The ever-lasting question as we roll closer to March is, who is on the bubble for the NCAA tournament?
There are always so many teams on the bubble to make the tournament, but here’s a look at four teams that have good and long shots to make the tournament.
Creighton Bluejays
The Big East has been an absolute battle of many ranked teams this year as it has been for many years. This has left a team like the Bluejays in a position to capitalize on wins where they can find them in the Big East.
They have been able to capitalize with three ranked wins so far in the season. Plus, they also defeated Marquette early in the season which will boost their resume for their chances at the postseason.
Additionally, the Bluejays will have three ranked opponents left on their schedule plus a good Seton Hall team who has been ranked for many weeks this college basketball season.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are 14-8 at this point in the season while being in the SEC which should give them good credit for their season resume.
The SEC is one of the better conferences in college basketball this season as well as the Big East. Therefore like the Bluejays, the Gators are in a very similar situation for being on the bubble watch.
The difference between the Gators and the Bluejays is that the Gators have not had any good conference wins that could sway a selection committee. However, there are some positives for Gator fans.
The Gators have beaten in-state rival Florida State at the beginning of the year as well as current No. 16 Ohio State Buckeyes. Those wins and the potential for three more ranked wins on the season against two top-five teams could provide a serious resume booster for the Gators.
West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers currently sit at the bottom of the Big-12 conference after a current six-game losing streak with four of those coming against Big-12 foes, with the other two games being in the Big-12 SEC challenge.
Before this losing streak, the Mountaineers were 13-2 and looking like another good West Virginia basketball team under Bob Huggins. However, this losing streak has come against many ranked teams and teams that as of now, look to make the tournament.
This stretch of the season could be what potentially prevents the Mountaineers from getting into the tournament. Although, if they finish the season very hot and amend their Big-12 record since there are five ranked games on the schedule to finish the Mountaineers season.
Syracuse Orange
A team you always have to look out for when March Madness comes around is the Syracuse Orange. Coincidentally, this year you might not have to look for them as they are at a mediocre 11-11 record.
It’s a stretch to throw Syracuse into this conversation, but when you look at its games it has close losses to good teams. However, it has three ugly losses to Colgate, Georgetown, and Pitt as well on the season.
If we have seen anything out of the last five years from Syracuse basketball is that if it makes a late-season run and has convincing wins, it has been able to sneak its way into the tournament and have solid runs from there.
With a player like Buddy Boeheim on their team and a top 10 matchup against Duke still coming up, it's not too late for the Orange.
Dale Ostrander is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dko5097@psu.edu.
