Bracketology: Bubble Watch, Conference Tournament Week One

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Feb 26, 2017; Lincoln, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach John Groce talks to guard Tracy Abrams (13) during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Illinois won 73-57. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

Big Ten

Lead-Pipe Lock: Wisconsin, Maryland, Purdue, Minnesota

Some Perspiration: Northwestern, Michigan State, Michigan

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Illinois

Northwestern Wildcats, 20-9 (9-7): The Wildcats are just 2-5 over their last seven games and are trending downwards. This, in addition to their poor record against other potential tournament teams, Northwestern is starting to move closer to the edge in a bad way. Nonetheless, Northwestern needs just one more win to be locked. They do not have an easy finishing schedule, but winning either of their last two or one in the Big Ten Tournament should secure their spot.

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

Monday seed: 9 RPI: 50 SOS: 65

Bad losses: at Indiana

Remaining schedule: vs. Michigan (3/1), vs. Purdue (3/5)

Michigan State Spartans, 18-11 (10-6): In typical Michigan State fashion, Tom Izzo has his team playing their best basketball in late February. After beating Nebraska and Wisconsin in outstanding performances, the Spartans have moved to a single-digit seed and are looking to build off those performances. With Illinois and Maryland on the road to finish the regular season, things are not going to get any easier, but winning one of those should move them into the “lead-pipe lock” section.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 6-7 Record vs. RPI 50-100: 5-3

Monday seed: 9 RPI: 41 SOS: 10

Bad losses: vs. Northeastern, at Penn State, at Ohio State, at Indiana

Remaining schedule: at Illinois (3/1), at Maryland (3/5)

Michigan Wolverines, 19-10 (9-7): Over the past couple weeks, Michigan is 5-1, with wins over both Purdue and Wisconsin. Their lone loss was an overtime game with Minnesota (in The Barn). This is a Wolverine team that nobody wants to see in March as a lower seed. They are very close to securing a lock in the tournament, but not quite yet. Like the two teams above, one more win should do it.

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

Monday seed: 9 RPI: 47 SOS: 35

Bad losses: @ Iowa, vs. Ohio State

Remaining schedule: at Northwestern (3/1), at Nebraska (3/5)

Illinois Fighting Illini, 17-12 (7-9): Well, well, well, welcome to the bubble, Illinois. In the weak Big Ten, the Fighting Illini are under .500, but their SOS is putting them in consideration for a bid. They have four very solid wins and are working their way closer to the seed line. The team will, however, likely have to win both of their next two games to still be in consideration when the Big Ten conference tournament begins.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 4-8 Record vs. RPI 50-100: 5-4

Monday seed: Next Four Out RPI: 56 SOS: 17

Bad losses: vs. Winthrop, at Penn State, vs. Penn State, at Indiana

Remaining schedule: vs. Michigan State (3/1), at Rutgers (3/4)

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