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; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders Court Jesters basketball band warm up before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders Court Jesters basketball band warm up before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Big 12

Lead-Pipe Lock: Kansas, Baylor, West Virginia

Some Perspiration: TCU, Iowa State

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

TCU Horned Frogs, 14-6 (3-5): Even though TCU has lost their last three games, the team is still very much alive for an NCAA tournament bid. With their upcoming schedule, it is time for the Horned Frogs to take care of business against other bubble teams and secure a spot. Auburn, Kansas State, Texas, and Texas Tech are all winnable games and going 4-for-4 would be huge.

Quality wins: vs. Illinois State, vs. Iowa State

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: @ SMU, vs. Baylor, vs. Kansas, @ West Virginia, @ Texas Tech

Up next: vs. Auburn (1/28), @ Kansas State (2/1)

Iowa State Cyclones, 13-6 (5-3): Currently a 10 seed in our Bracketology, Iowa State is far from a lock. The Cyclones took a step in the right direction by taking care of Kansas State, but they cannot afford to lose to Vandy in their next game. Following their trip to Nashville, Iowa State has games against back-to-back ranked opponents, making that Vandy game even more important.

Quality wins: vs. Miami, vs. Texas Tech, vs. Kansas State

Bad losses: @ Iowa

Missed opportunities: vs. Gonzaga, vs. Cincinnati, @ Baylor, vs. Kansas, @ TCU, @ Oklahoma State

Up next: @ Vanderbilt (1/28), vs. West Virginia (1/31)

Texas Tech Red Raiders, 14-5 (3-4): W-L-W-L-W-L-W-L, those are the last eight games by Texas Tech. Given that pattern, I guess the Red Raiders are going to beat Baylor on the road then fall to LSU on their home court. Well, that probably isn’t going to happen. On a serious note, Texas Tech has three pretty good wins this season and those W’s are carrying their resume above enough of the bubble to be sitting in the tournament for now.

Quality wins: vs. TCU, vs. Kansas State, vs. West Virginia

Bad losses: vs. Auburn, vs. Oklahoma State, vs. Oklahoma

Missed opportunities: @ Kansas, @ Iowa State

Up next: @ Baylor (1/25), vs. LSU (1/28)

Kansas State Wildcats, 15-5 (4-4): Losing to Iowa State is a tough lost opportunity. To make the tournament off the bubble, it is important to take advantage of games against other bubble teams. The good news for Kansas State following that loss is that the next two games don’t come against ranked opponents, which is somewhat rare in the Big 12.

Quality wins: vs. West Virginia

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. Maryland, vs. Baylor, @ Kansas, @ Texas Tech, @ Iowa State

Up next: @ Tennessee (1/28), vs. TCU (2/1)

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