Busting Brackets
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 10
Next
Jan 28, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers guard Nate Mason (2) dribbles in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins guard Anthony Cowan (0) at Williams Arena. The Maryland Terrapins beat the Minnesota Gophers 85-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Gophers guard Nate Mason (2) dribbles in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins guard Anthony Cowan (0) at Williams Arena. The Maryland Terrapins beat the Minnesota Gophers 85-78. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Big Ten

Lead-Pipe Lock: Wisconsin, Maryland

Some Perspiration: Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, Indiana

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Michigan State, Michigan

Related Story: Farewell to one of the greatest broadcasters of all-time

Purdue Boilermakers, 17-5 (6-3): One of the top three teams in the conference, Purdue remains on the bubble due to their two losses. They did come on the road, but they do not have as many high-quality wins as some of the other teams that are already in the lock zone. As long as they keep up the solid play, the Boilermakers will be locked up soon. Yet, two very difficult games approach against Northwestern and Maryland.

Quality wins: vs. Notre Dame, vs. Wisconsin, @ Michigan State

Bad losses: @ Nebraska, @ Iowa

Missed opportunities: vs. Villanova, @ Louisville, vs. Minnesota

Up next: vs. Northwestern (2/1), @ Maryland (2/4)

Northwestern Wildcats, 18-4 (7-2): Although still on the bubble, it isn’t by too much. In every test so far, Northwestern has proven that it belongs in the NCAA Tournament for the very first time. They are a very balanced team that passes extremely well and plays great team defense. With just three more wins, it would be a season-high for wins for the Wildcats. Things are looking way up for Northwestern.

Quality wins: vs. Wake Forest, vs. Dayton, @ Ohio State, vs. Indiana

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: @ Butler, vs. Notre Dame, vs. Minnesota, @ Michigan State

Up next: @ Purdue (2/1), vs. Illinois (2/7)

Minnesota Golden Gophers, 15-7 (3-6): Despite their recent skid of five consecutive losses, the Golden Gophers had enough leeway to still be in the tournament field as of now. An eight seed in our most recent Bracketology, Minnesota is holding onto a spot, but they need to get back on track quickly. Their next five games are very winnable for the Gophers prior to taking on Maryland on the road. Going 4-1 over that stretch could do a lot of good for the team’s chances.

Quality wins: vs. Arkansas, @ Northwestern, @ Purdue

Bad losses: @ Penn State

Missed opportunities: @ Ohio State, @ Florida State, vs. Maryland, vs. Wisconsin, vs. Michigan State, @ Michigan State

Up next: @ Illinois (2/4), vs. Iowa (2/8)

Indiana Hoosiers, 14-8 (4-5): After a hot start to the season, the Indiana Hoosiers have crumbled slightly over the past couple months. Now under .500 in the Big Ten, Indiana needs to add another high-quality win and cannot afford any more bad losses. It seems unlikely that Indiana misses the tournament, but it is definitely a possibility.

Quality wins: vs. Kansas, vs. North Carolina, vs. Michigan State, vs. Illinois

Bad losses: @ Fort Wayne, vs. Nebraska

Missed opportunities: vs. Butler, @ Michigan, vs. Louisville, @ Maryland, vs. Wisconsin, @ Northwestern

Up next: vs. Penn State (2/1), @ Wisconsin (2/5)

Michigan State Spartans, 13-9 (5-4): MSU had an absolutely brutal schedule to start the year and they looked doomed to miss the tournament. However, they are right back in consideration with an above-.500 record in the Big Ten. Their sweep of Minnesota is a bigger deal than it looks as the Spartans are 6-6 against potential tournament teams.

Quality wins: vs. Wichita State, @ Minnesota, vs. Minnesota, vs. Northwestern, vs. Michigan

Bad losses: vs. Northeastern, @ Penn State

Missed opportunities: vs. Baylor, vs. Kentucky, @ Duke, vs. Arizona, @ Ohio State, @ Indiana, vs. Purdue

Up next: @ Nebraska (2/2), @ Michigan (2/7)

Michigan Wolverines, 14-8 (4-5): Michigan is a very interesting case this season. They don’t have the flashiest resume nor do they have a bad one either. For an eight-loss team, their resume is fairly solid and the on-court play makes them look like a tournament team. Yet, they do not have a win against the RPI top-25 team.

Quality wins: vs. SMU, vs. Marquette, vs. Illinois, vs. Indiana

Bad losses: @ Iowa

Missed opportunities: @ UCLA, @ South Carolina, vs. Virginia Tech, vs. Maryland, @ Wisconsin, @ Michigan State, @ Illinois

Up next: vs. Ohio State (2/4), vs. Michigan State (2/7)

Home/Bracketology