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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 25, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Georgetown Hoyas guard Rodney Pryor (23) reaches for a loose ball as Creighton Bluejays guard Ronnie Harrell Jr. (4) looks on in the second half at Verizon Center. The Hoyas won 71-51. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Georgetown Hoyas guard Rodney Pryor (23) reaches for a loose ball as Creighton Bluejays guard Ronnie Harrell Jr. (4) looks on in the second half at Verizon Center. The Hoyas won 71-51. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Big East

Lead-Pipe Lock: Villanova, Butler, Creighton

Some Perspiration: Xavier, Marquette

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

Xavier Musketeers, 15-6 (5-3): Losing Edmond Sumner is an absolute crusher for Xavier, but they are still very much in tournament contention. Their lone bad loss came against Colorado, who just happened to knock off Oregon despite a horrendous start to Pac-12 play. Xavier is in the safer of the bubble sections for now, but they can’t afford any bad losses at home. Seton Hall is a big opportunity in front of the crowd at the Cintas Center and they need the win.

Quality wins: vs. Wake Forest, vs. Clemson, vs. Georgetown, @ Georgetown, vs. Utah

Bad losses: @ Colorado

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

Up next: vs. Seton Hall (2/1), @ Creighton (2/4)

Marquette Golden Eagles, 14-7 (5-4): Winning over ‘Nova was absolutely huge. It took a hardcore bubble resume and moved them into a more-than-likely-in position. Yet, the Golden Eagles then turned around and lost to Providence at home. Now with Sumner and Maurice Watson Jr. out, things are opening up atop the Big East. Could Marquette join the elite duo of Butler and Villanova at the top?

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

Bad losses: vs. Providence

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

Up next: @ St. John’s (2/1), @ DePaul (2/4)

Seton Hall Pirates, 13-7 (3-5): For a bubble team, it is not a good idea to lose four of five games, which is what Seton Hall has done. They are still in the projected tournament, but how long will they be able to stay there? With two very tough road games coming up, it is almost imperative that Seton Hall at least splits the pair.

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

Bad losses: vs. Stanford, @ Providence

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

Up next: @ Xavier (2/1), @ Georgetown (2/4)

Georgetown Hoyas, 13-10 (4-6): After beating both Creighton and Butler, Georgetown has hopped into play as a bubble team. Despite needing a comeback to do it, the Hoyas were able to defeat DePaul in what would have been a crushing defeat. Not only does G’Town have three quality wins, but those wins have come against three teams sitting within the RPI top-15. Losing twice to Providence is a killer though.

Quality wins: @ Butler, vs. Oregon, vs. Creighton

Bad losses: @ Providence, vs. Providence, Arkansas State

Missed opportunities: vs. Butler, vs. Xavier, @ Xavier, vs. Maryland, vs. Wisconsin, vs. Oklahoma State

Up next: vs. Seton Hall (2/4), @ Villanova (2/7)

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