Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: Updated Bubble Watch and another mailbag

By Lukas Harkins

Feb 4, 2017; Omaha, NE, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Trevon Bluiett (5) and forward RaShid Gaston (35) celebrate the win against the Creighton Bluejays at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Xavier defeated Creighton 82-80. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Omaha, NE, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Trevon Bluiett (5) and forward RaShid Gaston (35) celebrate the win against the Creighton Bluejays at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Xavier defeated Creighton 82-80. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2017; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Markis McDuffie (32) runs down a loose ball against the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Wichita, KS, USA; Wichita State Shockers forward Markis McDuffie (32) runs down a loose ball against the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers during the second half at Charles Koch Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Others

Lead-Pipe Lock: Gonzaga

Some Perspiration: Saint Mary’s

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Wichita State, Middle Tennessee

Saint Mary’s Gaels, 21-2 (11-1 WCC): Nothing new here. Saint Mary’s just keeps winning games and needs to keep doing that in order to secure their at-large bid. With a win over Gonzaga in the coming week, the Gaels could easily jump into the lock category, as they currently sit as a six seed.

Quality wins: @ Dayton, vs. Nevada

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. UT-Arlington, @ Gonzaga

Up next: vs. Portland (2/9), vs. Gonzaga (2/11)

Wichita State Shockers, 21-4 (11-1 MVC): Even though they lost to Illinois State in their first battle, the Shockers made sure to take care of business the second time around. Wichita State won by 41 points against the Redbirds in their second battle, and they have retaken control over the MVC. As an at-large, they would be right on the cutline as of today.

Quality wins: vs. Illinois State

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. Louisville, vs. Oklahoma State, vs. Michigan State, @ Illinois State

Up next: vs. Missouri State (2/9), @ Loyola-Chicago (2/12)

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, 20-4 (10-1 C-USA): Losing at UTEP was definitely a killer for an at-large resume, but the Blue Raiders are not quite out of contention yet. They are one of the best mid-majors in the country and it would be a shame if they couldn’t find a way into the Big Dance. Yet, they have four losses on the year and have no more opportunities for a quality win.

Quality wins: vs. UNC-Wilmington

Bad losses: vs. Georgia State, vs. Tennessee State, @ UTEP

Missed opportunities: @ VCU

Up next: vs. Old Dominion, vs. Charlotte

Next: The projected field as it stands and the mid-major struggle

And that wraps up the Bubble Watch for how we stand a few games in conference play. For comments and questions regarding our bubble or bracketology, tweet @BustingBrackets or @hardwiredsports (that’s me!). 

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