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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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Dec 21, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; The Dayton Flyers huddle prior to the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at the University of Dayton Arena. The Flyers won 68-63. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; The Dayton Flyers huddle prior to the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at the University of Dayton Arena. The Flyers won 68-63. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlantic 10

Lead-Pipe Lock: None.

Some Perspiration: Dayton

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: VCU, Rhode Island

Dayton Flyers, 16-5 (7-2): Despite the loss to VCU, Dayton is still in good shape to make the NCAA Tournament as an at-large bid. Their lack of quality wins still hurts them, but they do have another date with VCU, this time at home, that could solidify their place as an at-large team later in the season.

Quality wins: vs. Rhode Island

Bad losses: vs. Nebraska, @ Massachusetts

Missed opportunities: vs. Saint Mary’s, vs. Northwestern, @ VCU

Up next: vs. Duquesne (2/4), vs. Saint Joseph’s (2/7)

VCU Rams, 16-5 (6-2): With their win over Dayton, VCU’s position in the tournament is looking much more friendly. They were an 11-seed in our last Bracketology, but they still only have two very difficult games for the remainder of the season: at Dayton and at Rhode Island. Should they win out in the regular season and split those games, the Rams should be able to get a tournament bid.

Quality wins: vs. Middle Tennessee, vs. Dayton

Bad losses: @ Davidson, @ Fordham

Missed opportunities: vs. Baylor, vs. Illinois, vs. Georgia Tech

Up next: vs. Richmond (2/1), @ St. Bonaventure (2/4)

Rhode Island Rams, 14-7 (6-3): Rhode Island is in an interesting spot. In order for the Rams to make the tournament, they will likely need to win the vast majority of their games for the rest of the year, if not every game, and they will need some help. The win over Cincinnati is massive, but just one win cannot hold up a resume.

Quality wins: vs. Cincinnati

Bad losses: @ Richmond, vs. La Salle, @ Providence

Missed opportunities: vs. Duke, @ Valparaiso, @ Houston, @ Dayton

Up next: @ Davidson (2/3), @ Massachusetts (2/7)

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