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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; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Chris Beard gives instructions to guard Devon Thomas (2) during the game against the Louisiana State Tigers at United Supermarkets Arena. Texas Tech defeated Louisiana State in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge 77-64. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Chris Beard gives instructions to guard Devon Thomas (2) during the game against the Louisiana State Tigers at United Supermarkets Arena. Texas Tech defeated Louisiana State in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge 77-64. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Big 12

Lead-Pipe Lock: Baylor, Kansas, West Virginia

Some Perspiration: Iowa State, Kansas State

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

Iowa State Cyclones, 13-8 (5-4): Coming in at a nine seed in my most recent bracket, Iowa State has a bit of a cushion between them and the cutline, making their position fairly strong. Seven of their eight losses have come against the RPI top-50 and they have added two wins in that category. The Cyclones suffered a loss to West Virginia on Tuesday night, which was a major opportunity at home and will likely push them down the seed list just a notch or two.

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

Bad losses: @ Iowa, @ Vanderbilt

Missed opportunities: vs. Gonzaga, vs. Cincinnati, @ Baylor, vs. Kansas, @ TCU, vs. West Virginia

Up next: @ Kansas (2/4), @ Texas (2/7)

Kansas State Wildcats, 15-6 (4-4): Kansas State has played a lot of really good programs this season, which would presumably make a solid strength of schedule. Yet, in the case of K-State, this strength of schedule is purely in-conference. In the non-conference slate, they played a SOS ranked 252nd. In addition to their 13 games against teams with an RPI over 100, K-State needs to do more against quality teams to bump their ranking up.

Quality wins: vs. West Virginia, @ Oklahoma State

Bad losses: None.

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

Up next: vs. TCU (2/1), @ Baylor (2/4)

TCU Horned Frogs, 14-7 (3-5): TCU’s battle with Texas Tech will be one of the biggest bubble games in early February. The Horned Frogs were able to snag a single-digit (nine) seed this past week, thanks in part to their win over Illinois State looking better and better. There are opportunities galore in the Big 12 to boost a resume, so it just comes down to capitalizing.

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

Bad losses: vs. Auburn

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

Up next: @ Kansas State (2/1), vs. Texas (2/4)

Texas Tech Red Raiders, 15-6 (3-5): The second team out in the last Bracketology, Texas Tech just has to start building up their win volume. Traveling to TCU will be a huge game for the Red Raiders as they will look for the sweep against another possible bubble team. However, they need to get past Texas and Oklahoma first.

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

Bad losses: vs. Auburn, @ Oklahoma

Missed opportunities: @ Baylor, @ Kansas, vs. Oklahoma State, @ Iowa State

Up next: @ Texas (2/1), vs. Oklahoma (2/4)

Oklahoma State Cowboys, 14-8 (3-6): With an impressive slate of wins, the Cowboys have found themselves right on the bubble even if the team has eight losses. With a high SOS and a grouping of quality wins, things are looking up for Oklahoma State, even if they are currently out of my predicted bracket. There is very little space separating them and the cutline, however, so it could just be a matter of time.

Quality wins: @ Wichita State, vs. Georgetown, vs. Arkansas, vs. TCU

Bad losses: @ Texas

Missed opportunities: vs. North Carolina, @ Maryland, @ Baylor, @ Kansas, vs. West Virginia, vs. Kansas State, vs. Iowa State

Up next: @ West Virginia (2/4), vs. Baylor (2/8)

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