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Bracketology: Final February Bubble Watch and the Twitter mailbag

By Lukas Harkins

Dec 31, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers forward Jaron Blossomgame (5) stands on the court in the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Clemson defeated Wake 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers forward Jaron Blossomgame (5) stands on the court in the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Clemson defeated Wake 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2017; Newark, NJ, USA; The Seton Hall Pirates mascot dances at center court before the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the Seton Hall Pirates . Villanova won, 92-70. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Newark, NJ, USA; The Seton Hall Pirates mascot dances at center court before the game between the Villanova Wildcats and the Seton Hall Pirates . Villanova won, 92-70. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Big East

Lead-Pipe Lock: Villanova, Butler, Creighton

Some Perspiration: Xavier

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

Xavier Musketeers, 18-9 (8-6): Just as we were about to lock up Xavier a few weeks ago, they went on three-game losing straight. Those losses all came at the hands of potential tournament teams, but the Musketeers have dropped down to the seven line. They are under .500 against tournament teams, which is not ideal, but their strength of schedule is truly elite and is keeping them in consideration for a high seed.

Record vs. potential tournament teams: 7-8

Monday seed: 7      RPI: 20     SOS: 6

Bad losses: at Colorado

Remaining schedule: at Seton Hall (2/22), vs. Butler (2/26), vs. Marquette (3/1), at DePaul (3/4)

Marquette Golden Eagles, 17-10 (8-7): After losing back-to-back games against Butler and Georgetown, the Golden Eagles have found their stride again and it is coming at the right time. After destroying Xavier in their home gym on Saturday night, they followed it up with another thumping of St. John’s in the same building. Marquette finishes the year with an absolutely brutal schedule, but winning just one of those games will keep them in contention for an at-large bid entering the conference tournament.

Record vs. potential tournament teams: 6-8

Monday seed: 11      RPI: 71     SOS: 58

Bad losses: at St. John’s, vs. Pittsburgh

Remaining schedule: at Providence (2/25), at Xavier (3/1), vs. Creighton (3/4)

Seton Hall Pirates, 16-10 (6-8): This last week posed two very difficult challenges for Seton Hall, and they were able to connect on one, defeating Creighton. Then, in their next game, they were run out of the gym by Villanova, which there is no shame in. Yet, their tough stretch is not over. Playing at home for their third straight game, the Pirates play Xavier on Wednesday night. They finish with a rigorous schedule no matter what, and they will need to finish strong to make the tournament.

Record vs. potential tournament teams: 6-8

Monday seed: 11     RPI: 48     SOS: 34

Bad losses: vs. Stanford, at St. John’s

Remaining schedule: vs. Xavier (2/22), at DePaul (2/25), vs. Georgetown (2/28), at Butler (3/4)

Georgetown Hoyas, 14-13 (5-9): In the past week, Georgetown only had one game, where they lost in Omaha to Creighton by 17 points. This obviously did not help them, and at this point, the best thing going for G’Town is their strength of schedule. Their next two games are very winnable and they are must-wins at this point in the year for the Hoyas.

Record vs. potential tournament teams: 5-12

Monday seed: First Four Out      RPI: 62     SOS: 8

Bad losses: vs. Arkansas State

Remaining schedule: vs. DePaul (2/22), at St. John’s (2/25), at Seton Hall (2/28), vs. Villanova (3/4)

Providence Friars, 16-11 (6-8): After taking down Xavier in their lone game this week, Providence has back-to-back signature wins in the conference. After a full week off, the Friars take on Creighton in Omaha for their next game. After that, their season-ending schedule gets much easier, and their chances are making the tournament are reasonably high considering the relative weak quality of the bubble.

Record vs. potential tournament teams: 6-7

Monday seed: First Four Out      RPI: 68     SOS: 36

Bad losses: at Ohio State, vs. St. John’s, at Boston College, at DePaul

Remaining schedule:  at Creighton (2/22), vs. Marquette (2/25), vs. DePaul (2/28), at St. John’s (3/4)

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