Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: Bubble Watch and a mailbag full of questions

By Lukas Harkins

Dec 22, 2016; Wichita, KS, USA; The Wichita State Shockers bench reacts after a score against South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Wichita State won 89-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Wichita, KS, USA; The Wichita State Shockers bench reacts after a score against South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Wichita State won 89-67. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars guard Damyean Dotson (21) celebrates after a play during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars guard Damyean Dotson (21) celebrates after a play during the second half against the Tulane Green Wave at Hofheinz Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

American Athletic Conference

Lead-Pipe Lock: None.

Some Perspiration: Cincinnati, SMU

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Houston, Memphis

Cincinnati Bearcats, 17-2 (7-0): With an undefeated record in conference and just two losses for the whole season (one to a top team in the country), it is hard to argue against Cincinnati’s place among the top squads nationwide. With a five seed right now, there is plenty of room to move up, even if there aren’t an incredible amount of chances for quality wins.

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

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: @ Butler, vs. Rhode Island.

Next up: vs. Xavier (1/26), vs. South Florida (1/29)

SMU Mustangs, 17-4 (7-1): Coming in at a seven seed on Monday, SMU actually has a fair amount of quality wins over other bubble teams. The loss to Boise State remains a rough one, but at least they have the benefit of it being on the road. SMU cannot afford too many poor losses though, or else their tournament hopes could be dashed.

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

Bad losses: @ Boise State

Missed opportunities: @ USC, vs. Michigan, @ Cincinnati

Next up: @ UCF (1/25), vs. East Carolina (2/1)

Houston Cougars, 15-7 (5-4): Just hanging off the cutline, Houston needs some help to receive a bid. They have a few missed opportunities and their major win over Rhode Island is starting to look weaker. After losing three in a row, the Cougars were able to bounce back to beat Tulane, but with dates with Cincinnati and SMU still remaining, they need to take advantage of both to put themselves into the bracket.

Quality wins: vs. Rhode Island

Bad losses: @ LSU, vs. Harvard, @ UCF

Missed opportunities: @ Arkansas, @ SMU, vs. Cincinnati, vs. Memphis

Next up: vs. Temple (1/28), vs. UCF (2/1)

Memphis Tigers, 15-5 (5-2): Winners of six of their last seven, the Tigers don’t have the best strength of schedule, but they have the wins. In their last four games, Memphis faces off against SMU and Cincinnati, both on the road, in huge opportunities to make the Big Dance. Without those wins, they are going to need quite a bit of help.

Quality wins: vs. South Carolina, @ Houston

Bad losses: @ Tulsa

Missed opportunities: vs. SMU, @ Mississippi

Next up: @ Temple (1/25), vs. East Carolina (1/28)

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