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Bracketology: Updated Bubble Watch and the sudden rise of Tennessee

By Lukas Harkins

Jan 28, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers bench reacts after a three pointer against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 70 to 58. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; The Tennessee Volunteers bench reacts after a three pointer against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 70 to 58. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Illinois State Redbirds guard Paris Lee (1) dribbles against TCU Horned Frogs guard Alex Robinson (25) during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Illinois State Redbirds guard Paris Lee (1) dribbles against TCU Horned Frogs guard Alex Robinson (25) during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports /

Others

Lead-Pipe Lock: Gonzaga

Some Perspiration: Saint Mary’s

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Wichita State, Middle Tennessee, Illinois State

Saint Mary’s Gaels, 19-2 (9-1 WCC): With the record they have, Saint Mary’s really controls their own destiny. As long as the Gaels continue to win games and suffer only one or two more losses the rest of the season, they will enter the lock section. Yet, for the time being, they are still on the bubble due to the nature of their scheduling.

Quality wins: @ Dayton, vs. Nevada

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. UT-Arlington, @ Gonzaga

Up next: @ Pacific (2/2), @ San Diego (2/4)

Wichita State Shockers, 19-4 (9-1 MVC): With four losses, and no quality wins, Wichita State can only win games and hope for the best at this point. It is possible, albeit unlikely, that the MVC could get two teams in the tournament this season due to Illinois State playing so well, but Wichita State’s best bet for an at-large is to win out, including a win over the Redbirds.

Quality wins: None.

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. Louisville, vs. Oklahoma State, vs. Michigan State, @ Illinois State

Up next: @ Drake (2/1), vs. Illinois State (2/4)

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, 17-3 (7-0 C-USA): Their two bad losses hurts their chances of an at-large bid, but they are the highest ranking mid-major aside from the WCC. Middle Tennessee is riding an eight-game winning streak and could easily go undefeated in their conference this season.

Quality wins: vs. UNC-Wilmington

Bad losses: vs. Georgia State, vs. Tennessee State

Missed opportunities: @ VCU

Up next: @ UT San Antonio (2/2), @ UTEP (2/4)

Illinois State Redbirds, 18-4 (10-0 MVC): With their win over Wichita State, the Redbirds remained undefeated in the Missouri Valley, which has put them in consideration for an at-large bid. This might seem like a long shot, but how things have gone so far this season, who is going to say no?

Quality wins: vs. Wichita State

Bad losses: vs. San Francisco, @ Tulsa, @ Murray State

Missed opportunities: @ TCU

Up next: vs. Northern Iowa (2/1), @ Wichita State (2/4)

Next: Mid-Major Player of the Year power rankings

And that wraps up the Bubble Watch for how we stand a few games in conference play. For comments and questions regarding our bubble or bracketology, tweet @BustingBrackets or @hardwiredsports (that’s me!). 

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