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; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles players celebrate with fans after their game against the Villanova Wildcats at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Golden Eagles won 74-72. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles players celebrate with fans after their game against the Villanova Wildcats at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Golden Eagles won 74-72. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Big East

Lead-Pipe Lock: Villanova, Creighton, Butler

Some Perspiration: Xavier

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Seton Hall, Marquette

Xavier Musketeers, 14-5 (4-3): Now 0-3 against the upper portion of the Big East, it looks like Xavier will be in competition with the two teams below them in this Bubble Watch for the fourth spot in the conference. Their wins aren’t great and the loss to Colorado is looking pretty bad right now. Outside of that, though, four of their losses are to really good teams, most of which on the road. Cincinnati will be a very big test in their next game. Can the Musketeers pass it?

Quality wins: vs. Wake Forest, vs. Clemson

Bad losses: @ Colorado

Missed opportunities: @ Baylor, @ Villanova, @ Butler, vs. Creighton

Up next: @ Cincinnati (1/26), @ St. John’s (1/29)

Seton Hall Pirates, 13-6 (3-4): Big, big, big time opportunity at home against Butler on Wednesday night. Just as Marquette did recently, playing at home against a top team is the perfect storm for a quality win. Seton Hall has shown their ability to knock off other bubble teams, but this is their chance to add a signature win to the resume.

Quality wins: vs. South Carolina, vs. California, vs. Marquette

Bad losses: vs. Stanford, @ Providence

Missed opportunities: vs. Florida, @ Marquette, @ Villanova, @ Creighton

Up next: vs. Butler (1/25), @ Xavier (2/1)

Marquette Golden Eagles, 14-6 (5-3): Note to other bubble teams: follow the Marquette way. Sure, the Golden Eagles are still on the bubble, but instead of hoping to back their way into the tournament through their peers losing, Marquette went out and won games to make the projected field. First, they knocked off Creighton, albeit without Maurice Watson Jr., on the road and then returned home to beat Villanova. That is how to get things done on the bubble.

Quality wins: @ Creighton, vs. Seton Hall, @ Georgia, vs. Villanova

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. Pittsburgh, vs. Wisconsin, vs. Michigan, @ Villanova, @ Butler, @ Seton Hall

Up next: vs. Providence (1/28), @ St. John’s (2/1)

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