Bracketology: Updated Bubble Watch and another mailbag

Big East

Lead-Pipe Lock: Villanova, Butler, Creighton

Some Perspiration: Xavier, Marquette

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

Xavier Musketeers, 17-6 (7-3): Now a three-game winning streak, including a win over Creighton, Xavier looks to be getting close to joining the group of locks. The Musketeers were a six seed in my most recent Bracketology, and that is in large part due to a solid collection of wins. With games against Butler and Villanova still left on the schedule, Xavier could add another major signature win to move them up the seed lists.

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

Bad losses: @ Colorado

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

Up next: vs. DePaul (2/8), vs. Villanova (2/11)

Marquette Golden Eagles, 15-9 (6-6): With Butler coming to town last week, Marquette had a great opportunity to add another signature win, but they were unable to pull it out at home. This marked their third loss in four games, with two of those coming in poor outings by the team. It seemed like MU got back on track against Butler, playing better team defense and working the ball inside in addition to their prolific outside scoring, but it was not enough. The Golden Eagles still look to be in fine shape for the NCAA Tournament, but their journey to the nation’s capital to face Georgetown has huge bubble implications. If MU is able to close the year 4-2, then they should be sitting in a good position at 19-11 entering the conference tournament.

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

Bad losses: vs. Providence, @ St. John’s

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

Up next: @ Georgetown (2/11), vs. Xavier (2/18)

Seton Hall Pirates, 14-8 (4-6): After falling to both Butler and Xavier, Seton Hall was able to bounce back in an overtime win over Georgetown, the next team on the list. The Pirates remain the sixth-to-last Big East team in the tournament, but they should be able to win the next two games before facing off against three straight ranked opponents in Creighton, Villanova, and Xavier. They also have to play Butler once more this season.

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

Bad losses: vs. Stanford, @ Providence

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

Up next: vs. Providence (2/8), @ St. John’s (2/11)

Georgetown Hoyas, 13-12 (4-8): It’s hard to believe that G’Town is still sitting on the bubble, but their three wins remain very, very impressive. Losing two in a row is not what Hoya fans wanted to see, but they have two more opportunities coming up in their next two match-ups that can greatly change their odds. 13-12 is a rough record, but they have a bubble-friendly schedule to close the year.

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, vs. Seton Hall, @ Villanova

Up next: vs. Marquette (2/11), @ Creighton (2/19)