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Bracketology: The fun of college hoops and the Bubble Watch

By Lukas Harkins

Jan 10, 2017; College Park, MD, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) reacts after missing a potential game timing shot as time expires in second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Maryland Terrapins defeated Indiana Hoosiers 75-72. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; College Park, MD, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Robert Johnson (4) reacts after missing a potential game timing shot as time expires in second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Xfinity Center. Maryland Terrapins defeated Indiana Hoosiers 75-72. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 8, 2016; Moraga, CA, USA; Saint Mary’s Gaels head coach Randy Bennett instructs against the UT Arlington Mavericks during the second half at McKeon Pavilion. The Mavericks defeated the Gaels 65-51. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 8, 2016; Moraga, CA, USA; Saint Mary’s Gaels head coach Randy Bennett instructs against the UT Arlington Mavericks during the second half at McKeon Pavilion. The Mavericks defeated the Gaels 65-51. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Others

Lead-Pipe Lock:

Some Perspiration: Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Wichita State

Gonzaga, 15-0 (3-0): Gonzaga is undefeated. Gonzaga has three really good wins. Gonzaga is going to be just fine. Still, the battle with Saint Mary’s is a big test coming up, especially given the implications it could have on the WCC on the whole.

Quality wins: vs. Florida, vs. Arizona, vs. Iowa State

Bad losses: see record above.

Missed opportunities: again, see record above.

Up next: vs. Loyola Marymount (1/12), vs. Saint Mary’s (1/14)

Saint Mary’s, 14-1 (4-0): Like Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s continues to show that they are among the elite mid-major programs. Their road win over Dayton still looks good, and the loss to UT-Arlington is not as bad as it once seemed. With the Gonzaga game looming, however, the spotlight will be on Saint Mary’s and the WCC soon.

Quality wins: @ Dayton

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: vs. UT-Arlington

Up next: @ Portland (1/12), @ Gonzaga (1/14)

Wichita State, 14-3 (4-0): Three losses for a mid-major out of conference play is pretty good, especially considering the strength of opponents in those three games. WSU is a heavy favorite to win their conference and even if they cannot win the conference tournament, they are looking to be a team that can still pull out an at-large bid based on a strong record.

Quality wins: none.

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: vs. Louisville, vs. Oklahoma State, vs. Michigan State

Up next: vs. Loyola (1/11), @ Illinois State (1/14)

Next: Three takeaways from Villanova's thrashing of Xavier

And that wraps up the Bubble Watch. For comments and questions regarding our bubble or bracketology, tweet @BustingBrackets or @hardwiredsports (that’s me!). 

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