Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: Bubble Watch, Conference Tournament Week One

By Lukas Harkins

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
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 25, 2017; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars guard Maliek White (4) defends Marquette Golden Eagles guard Markus Howard (0) during the second half at Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars guard Maliek White (4) defends Marquette Golden Eagles guard Markus Howard (0) during the second half at Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /

Big East

Lead-Pipe Lock: Villanova, Butler, Creighton

Some Perspiration: Xavier

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

Xavier Musketeers, 18-11 (8-8): Xavier hung tough with Butler at home over the weekend, but were unable to come out on top due to some costly turnovers in the closing minutes. With that loss, the Musketeers lost their fifth game in a row and they are inching closer to the edge, going the wrong direction. Xavier can still tout a very high RPI and SOS, which definitely helps their resume, but man, it would be nice if X could get back on track with two more wins before the Big East tournament. I think one more win would lock them up, even if it does come against DePaul.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 3-8          Record vs. RPI 50-100: 5-2

Monday seed: 8      RPI: 26     SOS: 6

Bad losses: at Colorado

Remaining schedule: vs. Marquette (3/1), at DePaul (3/4)

Marquette Golden Eagles, 17-11 (8-8): Losing to Providence wasn’t ideal for their bubble resume, but Marquette still found a place in Monday’s Bracketology update. The problem for the Golden Eagles is that they have a very difficult finish to their regular season. As mentioned just above, Xavier is struggling, but it is still hard to go into the Cintas Center and escape with a win. In addition, Creighton is a tough match-up who will be looking for revenge on Marquette before the conference tournament. Still, Marquette will probably need two or three more wins to feel comfortable on Selection Sunday.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 5-6          Record vs. RPI 50-100: 3-4

Monday seed: 11      RPI: 72     SOS: 56

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

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

Seton Hall Pirates, 19-10 (9-8): Closing with Butler on the road is no easy task, but it could be just the thing the Pirates need to feel comfortable in the tournament field. A loss at Hinkle Fieldhouse certainly doesn’t kill their chances of dancing, but if they fail to win that game, they will need two wins in the postseason to see their name on Selection Sunday. 

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

Monday seed: 10     RPI: 49     SOS: 49

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

Remaining schedule: at Butler (3/4)

Providence Friars, 19-11 (9-8) : One of the most surprising storylines of the season so far has been Providence’s rise into the projected field. They got another victory on Tuesday night in defeating DePaul as they are starting to feel a little more comfortable in the tournament field. The Friars should finish above-.500 in the conference and could even compete for a single-digit seed with a quality performance in the Big East Tournament.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 6-7          Record vs. RPI 50-100: 4-1

Monday seed: 11      RPI: 55     SOS: 34

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

Remaining schedule: at St. John’s (3/4)

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