Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: Bubble Watch (Building a resume and the bubble as it is)

By Lukas Harkins

Nov 28, 2016; Evansville, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh (30) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Wildcats won 65-58. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2016; Evansville, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats guard Bryant McIntosh (30) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Wildcats won 65-58. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears guard Ishmail Wainright (24) laughs on the bench during the second half against the Texas Southern Tigers at Ferrell Center. Baylor won 89-63. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears guard Ishmail Wainright (24) laughs on the bench during the second half against the Texas Southern Tigers at Ferrell Center. Baylor won 89-63. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Big 12

Lead-Pipe Lock: N/A

Some Perspiration: Baylor, Kansas, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Iowa State

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Kansas State, Texas Tech, TCU

Baylor Bears, 12-0: Baylor has been top-notch this season. They’re undefeated, with great wins, and have suffered no major injuries as well. They’re currently a one seed in my Bracketology, and if they keep playing the way they are, there will be no worries about making the tournament. The team still has to stay focused on the prize though: Winning the Big 12.

Quality wins: vs. Louisville, vs. Xavier, vs. Oregon, vs. VCU

Bad losses: See the record above

Missed opportunities: Again, see record above.

Up next: @ Oklahoma (12/30), vs. Iowa State (1/4)

Kansas Jayhawks, 11-1: Kansas has been the dominant force of the Big 12 for the past several years, so they’re probably not fans of being a game behind Baylor after the non-conference slate. Still, there is nothing to worry about for the Jayhawks. They tout an extremely talented roster and a win against Duke. Their one loss came at the hands of Tom Crean and the Hoosiers of Indiana. Kansas is just what it always is. They’re just a great program.

Quality wins: vs. Duke

Bad losses: None

Missed opportunities: vs. Indiana

Up next: @ TCU (12/30), vs. Kansas State (1/3)

Kansas State Wildcats, 11-1: Unlike Kansas, K-State is not a powerhouse in the domain of college basketball. This year, they’ve gotten off to a hot 11-1 start. Their strength of schedule is absolutely abysmal and is the main reason that they sit in the Last Four In section of Bracketology. In their only game against a truly quality opponent, they fell to Maryland by one point in a neutral site battle. Still, it is hard to judge a team on such a small sample size.

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Missed opportunities: vs. Maryland

Up next: vs. Texas (12/30), @ Kansas (1/3)

Texas Tech Red Raiders, 11-1: Texas Tech is in the same boat as Kansas State. They both have no key wins, but tout a great record. Unlike K-State, however, the Red Raiders loss comes at the hands of a much weaker opponent in Auburn. They’ve played nobody to this point in the year, and until they gather a win or even a close loss against a good team, they’re mostly out of consideration for an at-large bid.

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: vs. Auburn

Missed opportunities: None

Up next: @ Iowa State (12/30), vs. West Virginia (1/3)

TCU Horned Frogs, 11-1: In TCU’s best match-up of the year, they took a 15-point loss on the road against SMU. This is not a great showing, but then again, it was their only loss. Although low-level names, both Arkansas State and Texas Southern are not horrible wins. In fact, they’re reasonably good teams and give a little insight into if TCU can really bring it against the top line of the Big 12. The verdict? I doubt it.

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Missed opportunities: @ SMU

Up next: vs. Kansas (12/30), vs. Oklahoma (1/3)

West Virginia Mountaineers, 11-1: Anyone else think that West Virginia is a virtual shoe-in for a four seed or better in every single tournament? It kind of feels like it sometimes, and this year will likely be no different. They’re out to an 11-1 start with their one loss coming to Temple, who is a likely tournament team. They also have that outstanding win on the road against Virginia, and a home win against Illinois is not something to glance over.

Quality wins: @ Virginia, vs. Illinois

Bad losses: None

Missed opportunities: vs. Temple

Up next: @ Oklahoma State (12/30), @ Texas Tech (1/3)

Oklahoma State Cowboys, 10-2: The Cowboys do not have any wins that jump off the page, but Wichita State on the road and a win over Georgetown are solid enough. OK-State looks like a team that will find its way into this Bubble Watch column often throughout the season, but it would help if they could get a high quality win early in Big 12 play to solidify their place. West Virginia at home, their first Big 12 game for example, would fit the bill.

Quality wins: @ Wichita State, vs. Georgetown

Bad losses: None

Missed opportunities: vs. North Carolina, @ Maryland

Up next: vs. West Virginia (12/30), @ Texas (1/4)

Iowa State Cyclones, 8-3: One bad loss to a rival on the road is not something that crushes a team’s resume, but Iowa State needs to find a way to make up for their loss to Iowa. They’ve been fine so far (nothing special), but a win against a team like Kansas or Baylor would go a long way for the Cyclones.

Quality wins: vs. Miami

Bad losses: None

Missed opportunities: vs. Gonzaga, vs. Cincinnati

Up next: vs. Texas Tech (12/30), @ Baylor (1/4)

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