Bracketology: Updated Bubble Watch and the Mailbag

Feb 14, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Matt Galloway (33) and guard Ahmed Hill (13) celebrate while leaving the court after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers 66-63 at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 21, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs and Illinois State Redbirds plan a play during the first half at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports /

Others

Lead-Pipe Lock: Gonzaga

Some Perspiration: Saint Mary’s

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

Saint Mary’s Gaels, 22-3 (12-2 WCC): Even after losing to Gonzaga, the Gaels are still in great shape to make the tournament. They can likely only afford one more loss to a non-Gonzaga team, but they are reasonably comfortable as a single-digit seed, especially as the rest of the bubble crumbles.

Quality wins: @ Dayton, vs. Nevada

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. UT-Arlington, @ Gonzaga, vs. Gonzaga

Up next: vs. Loyola Marymount (2/16), @ BYU (2/18)

Wichita State Shockers, 23-4 (13-1 MVC): As I have mentioned previously, this is a year in which Wichita State’s easy ending to the season could help them. It seems like every bubble team is taking losses right now, but WSU just keeps winning. The committee showed in their bracket reveal that SOS makes a big difference, which is something that will hurt the Shockers, but winning is everything for them right now.

Quality wins: vs. Illinois State

Bad losses: None.

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

Up next: @ Southern Illinois (2/15), vs. Northern Iowa (2/18)

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, 22-4 (12-1 C-USA): At this point, all the mid-major bubble teams can only win games and hope. The committee will be taking a big stake in SOS, but maybe they give a little lenience to the mid-majors who are clearly talented enough to make the Big Dance, even if their chances against the top teams are limited.

Quality wins: vs. UNC-Wilmington

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

Missed opportunities: @ VCU

Up next: @ Western Kentucky (2/16), @ Marshall (2/18)

Illinois State Redbirds, 21-5 (13-1 MVC): Much like Wichita State, the MVC doesn’t allow for the greatest SOS, but they will have a lot of wins by season’s end, which will give the committee a lot to think about.

Quality wins: vs. Wichita State

Bad losses: vs. San Francisco, @ Tulsa

Missed opportunities: @ TCU, @ Wichita State

Up next: @ Missouri State (2/15), vs. Loyola-Chicago (2/19)

Next: The projected bracket and the month remaining

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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