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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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Jan 28, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) shoots a three point attempt against the Clemson Tigers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Clemson won 67-60. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Cameron Johnson (23) shoots a three point attempt against the Clemson Tigers during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Clemson won 67-60. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

ACC

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

Some Perspiration: Virginia Tech

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Clemson, Wake Forest, Miami, NC State, Georgia Tech

Virginia Tech Hokies, 16-5 (5-4): Now winners in three of the last four, Virginia Tech has gotten their overall conference record over .500, an impressive feat in the ACC. Their wins are rather solid and they lack too many bad losses. Back-to-back road games approach however, and the Hokies would do well for themselves with a split.

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

Bad losses: vs. Texas A&M

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

Up next: @ Virginia (2/1), @ Miami (2/8)

Clemson Tigers, 12-8 (2-6): Clemson has been my bubble favorite this entire season, and they continue to sit right near that cutline. They have several quality wins, even if they do not have that one marquee victory. With Florida State on the road coming up, they have another major opportunity. The Tigers came in at as 10-seed on Monday, but they could clearly miss the tournament if they don’t get their act together.

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

Bad losses: vs. Oklahoma

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

Up next: vs. Georgia Tech (2/1), @ Florida State (2/5)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 13-9 (4-6): Wake Forest just continues to miss opportunities. They had Duke right where they wanted them and yet again let a crucial victory slip through their fingers. Even with nine losses, the Demon Deacons have played one of the toughest schedules in the country and that alone practically puts them in contention for bid. Add a couple marquee wins, and they would surely be a tournament squad, even if they are my seventh team out right now.

Quality wins: vs. Miami, @ NC State

Bad losses: None.

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

Up next: vs. Georgia Tech (2/4), @ Notre Dame (2/7)

Miami Hurricanes, 14-6 (4-4): Although Miami has suffered six losses, none of them have come in disastrous of fashion. They can brag about three wins over the potential at-large teams, but due to their relatively low SOS, Miami still remains firmly on the bubble. The Hurricanes were my first team out of the tournament in my latest bracket, but that doesn’t mean a two-game win streak over two possible tournament teams wouldn’t push them right back into the field.

Quality wins: vs. North Carolina, @ Pittsburgh, vs. NC State

Bad losses: None.

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

Up next: vs. Florida State (2/1), @ NC State (2/4)

NC State Wolfpack, 14-8 (3-6): Although the loss to Boston College is weak, NC State’s losses are mostly to quality opponents. On top of that, they are able to tout a road win over Duke, which is very impressive for a team sitting on the bubble. The Wolfpack have some work to do to get back into tournament play, but they are not far from finding a bid. Their next two games are rather winnable before facing off against Florida State on the road.

Quality wins: @ Duke, vs. Virginia Tech

Bad losses: @ Boston College

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

Up next: vs. Syracuse (2/1), vs. Miami (2/4)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 13-8 (5-4): Definitely a surprise to join the bubble, Georgia Tech has put up a very impressive resume, despite three pretty bad losses. They have five wins over the RPI top-50 teams (also five losses) and hold a record of 6-5 against potential tournament teams. They have missed several opportunities so far this year as they have shown that they are a much better team when playing in their own gym. Two tough road games against other tournament teams are approaching. Can the Yellow Jackets sting twice?

Quality wins: vs. North Carolina, vs. Florida State, vs. Notre Dame, @ VCU, vs. Clemson, @ NC State

Bad losses: vs. Ohio, vs. Georgia, @ Penn State

Missed opportunities: vs. Louisville, @ Virginia, @ Duke, @ Tennessee, @ Virginia Tech

Up next: @ Clemson (2/1), @ Wake Forest (2/4)

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