Bracketology: Bubble Watch, Conference Tournament Week One

Feb 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Houston Cougars guard Galen Robinson Jr. (25) and Houston Cougars forward Devin Davis (15) celebrate after the game against the Memphis Tigers at FedExForum. Houston Cougars defeated the Memphis Tigers 72-71. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 22, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; General view of the chair assigned for Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim (not pictured) prior to the game against the Duke Blue Devils at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

ACC

Lead-Pipe Lock: North Carolina, Louisville, Duke, Florida State, Virginia, Notre Dame, Miami, Virginia Tech

Some Perspiration: None.

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Syracuse, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest

Syracuse Orange, 17-13 (9-8): The Orange might be the most interesting team on the bubble. Time and time again they have shown their ability to win big games (see their six wins over the RPI top-50), but they also have a plethora of a bad losses. Their low RPI is tough, as very few teams have made the tournament with an RPI so low in the past. Making a little run in the ACC tournament is vital, as they probably need two more wins to get back into the field and three to feel reasonably comfortable.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 6-7 Record vs. RPI 50-100: 2-3

Monday seed: First Four Out RPI: 79 SOS: 45

Bad losses: at Boston College, vs. St. John’s, vs. Connecticut, at Pittsburgh, vs. Georgetown

Remaining schedule: vs. Georgia Tech (3/4)

Clemson Tigers, 14-14 (4-12): Clemson needs to win the next two games and make a deep run in the ACC tournament to make the Big Dance. They have been tested several times this season and strength of schedule can only carry a team so far. A .500 record on the season is not worth receiving a big, so Clemson needs to get hot at the right time.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 4-11 Record vs. RPI 50-100: 5-2

Monday seed: First Four Out RPI: 60 SOS: 14

Bad losses: vs. Oklahoma

Remaining schedule: vs. NC State (3/1), vs. Boston College (3/4)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 17-13 (8-9): It was a must-win on Tuesday’s night against Pittsburgh, and their season finale with Syracuse is as well. The Yellow Jackets need some help to get into the field, as they are close to falling off of the bubble. Still, a win against ‘Cuse would put them at .500 in the ACC, a respectable mark. The RPI, however, is a killer.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 4-7 Record vs. RPI 50-100: 3-4

Monday seed: Next Four Out RPI: 91 SOS: 53

Bad losses: vs. Ohio, at Penn State, at Tennessee, vs. NC State

Up next: at Syracuse (3/4)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 16-12 (7-9): Although unlike Clemson in record, Wake Forest is similar to the Tigers in their inability to win the big game. The Demon Deacons are 2-12 against potential tournament teams and it doesn’t get much worse than that. Wake Forest already lacks a signature win (best win is at home against Miami), and they will probably need to go 2-0 to finish the year against a rather daunting schedule for a tournament bid.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 1-9 Record vs. RPI 50-100: 5-3

Monday seed: Next Four Out RPI: 46 SOS: 22

Bad losses: None.

Remaining schedule: vs. Louisville (3/1), at Virginia Tech (3/4)

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