Busting Brackets
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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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Dec 27, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) grabs a pass against Memphis Tigers guard Jimario Rivers (2) and Memphis Tigers guard Jeremiah Martin (3) during the second half at FedExForum. Southern Methodist Mustangs defeated the Memphis Tigers 58-54. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) grabs a pass against Memphis Tigers guard Jimario Rivers (2) and Memphis Tigers guard Jeremiah Martin (3) during the second half at FedExForum. Southern Methodist Mustangs defeated the Memphis Tigers 58-54. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

American Athletic Conference

Lead-Pipe Lock:

Some Perspiration: Cincinnati, SMU

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Houston, UCF, Temple.

Cincinnati Bearcats, 13-2 (3-0): Since losing to Butler, the Bearcats are currently on a six-game winning streak. And although their strength of schedule during that period was not off the charts, the team was able to secure road victories over both Houston and Temple. Cincinnati currently sits as a six seed in this week’s Bracketology, with a major game to boost their resume coming against Xavier in a couple of weeks.

Quality wins: @ Iowa State, @ Temple, @ Houston

Bad losses: none.

Missed opportunities: @ Butler, vs. Rhode Island.

Next up: vs. SMU (1/12), @ East Carolina (1/15)

SMU Mustangs, 14-3 (4-0): Like Cincinnati, SMU is on a smashing win streak. The Mustangs have not played a single ranked opponent yet this season, but they have won 10 straight games.

Quality wins: vs. TCU, @ Memphis, vs. Temple, vs. Pittsburgh

Bad losses: @ Boise State

Missed opportunities: @ USC, vs. Michigan

Next up: @ Cincinnati (1/12), @ Tulane (1/15)

Houston Cougars, 13-4 (3-1): The major issue with making a case for Houston as an at-large bid is their lack of quality wins. Rhode Island is a start, but does not look as good as it did when it occurred. In addition, they most recently failed to secure a home victory over Cincinnati, which could have gone a long way. They need to win their next two games.

Quality wins: vs. Rhode Island

Bad losses: @ LSU, vs. Harvard

Missed opportunities: @ Arkansas, vs. Cincinnati

Next up: @ East Carolina (1/11), @ UCF (1/14)

UCF Knights, 12-4 (3-1): Losing a road game is typically a forgivable act, but this is not a usual year for Connecticut. The Huskies are a bad loss for Central Florida, especially given the 15-point differential. Houston is a big game coming up, as both teams sit on the bubble, but they cannot allow USF to become a trap game.

Quality wins: vs. Temple

Bad losses: vs. Penn, @ George Washington, @ Connecticut

Missed opportunities: vs. Villanova

Next up: vs. Houston (1/14), vs. South Florida (1/17)

Temple Owls, 10-7 (1-3): Prior to their victory over East Carolina, the Temple Owls had lost three in a row, including a dreadful 24-point loss to UCF. Temple is now 10-7 on the year, and although they have two of the best wins in the country right now, they have also missed a fair number of opportunities. With two very winnable games coming up before Cincinnati, they should walk into Fifth Third Arena at 12-7.

Quality wins: vs. FSU, vs. West Virginia

Bad losses: vs. New Hampshire, vs. George Washington, @ UCF

Missed opportunities: @ Villanova, @ SMU, vs. Cincinnati

Next up: @ Connecticut (1/11), vs. Tulsa (1/14)

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