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 21, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Torin Dorn (2) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Deamon Deacons guard Mitchell Wilbekin (10) and guard Brandon Childress (0) defend during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Torin Dorn (2) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Deamon Deacons guard Mitchell Wilbekin (10) and guard Brandon Childress (0) defend during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

ACC

Lead-Pipe Lock: Florida State, North Carolina, Louisville, Virginia, Notre Dame, Duke

Some Perspiration: Virginia Tech, Clemson

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Pittsburgh, Miami, Wake Forest, NC State

Virginia Tech Hokies, 15-4 (4-3): After starting conference play under .500 at 2-3, Virginia Tech has won back to back games to move up to the eight line in Bracketology. With three of their next four games coming on the road, it is not getting any easier for the Hokies. 2-2 would be a very successful stretch of games.

Quality wins: @ Michigan, vs. Duke, @ Clemson

Bad losses: vs. Texas A&M

Missed opportunities: @ Florida State, vs. Notre Dame, vs. NC State

Up next: @ North Carolina (1/26), vs. Boston College (1/29)

Clemson Tigers, 11-8 (1-6): After starting 11-2 on the season with a few good wins, things have not been great recently. In fact, they haven’t even been good. Losing six straight games is not ideal for a bubble team, regardless of who the competition is. With two more winnable games up next, the Tigers might need both to stay in the projected tournament.

Quality wins: @ South Carolina, @ Wake Forest, vs. UNC-Wilmington, vs. Georgia

Bad losses: vs. Oklahoma, @ Georgia Tech

Missed opportunities: vs. Xavier, @ Louisville, vs. North Carolina, vs. Virginia, @ Notre Dame, vs. Virginia Tech

Up next: @ Pittsburgh (1/28), vs. Georgia Tech (2/1)

Pittsburgh Panthers, 12-8 (1-6): Not unlike Clemson above, Pittsburgh has dropped their last five games, with two of them coming against ranked opponents. But, even with the steep competition in those games, there is no excuse for a “tournament team” to lose by 55 points in a game. They need to get back on track against Clemson, as both teams search for an end to their losing streaks.

Quality wins: @ Maryland, vs. Marquette, vs. Virginia

Bad losses: vs. Duquesne

Missed opportunities: vs. SMU, vs. Notre Dame, @ Louisville, @ NC State, vs. Miami

Up next: vs. Clemson (1/28), @ North Carolina (1/31)

Miami Hurricanes, 12-6 (2-4): Even though the Hurricanes have struggled, losing four out of the last five, their resume is still enough to stay in the tournament for now. They have a lot of missed opportunities, but only the one bad loss. Thankfully, the ACC offers a ton of winnable games with other bubble teams as well as giving all kinds of opportunities for quality wins.

Quality wins: @ Pittsburgh

Bad losses: @ Syracuse

Missed opportunities: vs. Florida, vs. Iowa State, vs. Notre Dame, @ Duke, @ Wake Forest

Up next: vs. Boston College (1/25), vs. North Carolina (1/28)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 12-8 (3-5): Oh, Wake Forest, what are we to do with you? One of the best strength of schedules in the country, but no top wins (a few against bubble teams). Wake Forest has not shown anyone that they can beat the best yet, and although they have a 12-1 record against teams outside the RPI top-50, they need to add at least one really good win.

Quality wins: @ NC State, vs. Miami

Bad losses: @ Syracuse

Missed opportunities: vs. Villanova, @ Xavier, @ Northwestern, @ Florida State, vs. North Carolina, @ Virginia, vs. Clemson

Up next: vs. Duke (1/28), @ Boston College (1/31)

NC State Wolfpack, 14-7 (2-5): Dennis Smith Jr. just keeps this team hanging around. Duke might not be having their best season in recent memory, but winning on the road is a huge deal. The Wolfpack have suffered a couple bad losses, but they were the eighth team out before beating Duke, so they could be shooting up much closer to the cut line

Quality wins: vs. Virginia Tech, vs. Pittsburgh, @ Duke

Bad losses: vs. Georgia Tech, @ Boston College

Missed opportunities: vs. Creighton, @ Illinois, vs. Wake Forest, @ North Carolina

Up next: @ Louisville (1/29), vs. Syracuse (2/1)

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