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Bracketology: Final Bubble Watch before Selection Sunday

By Lukas Harkins

Feb 21, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes bench celebrates during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes won 96-90 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; Iowa City, IA, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes bench celebrates during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes won 96-90 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights center C.J. Getty (34) reacts after Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeated Illinois Fighting Illini 62-59 at Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights center C.J. Getty (34) reacts after Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeated Illinois Fighting Illini 62-59 at Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Big Ten

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

Some Perspiration: Michigan State

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Illinois, Iowa

Michigan State Spartans, 18-13 (10-6): The Spartans get the winner of Nebraska/Penn State in their first game prior to potentially taking on Minnesota. In my opinion, the Gophers are the second-best team in the conference and a loss would not hurt Michigan State’s odds to make the tournament. To put it simply, Michigan State will feel very comfortable on Selection Sunday with a win over either Nebraska or Penn State.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 5-8          Record vs. RPI 50-100: 6-4

Current seed: 10      RPI: 48     SOS: 8

Bad losses: vs. Northeastern

Illinois Fighting Illini, 18-13 (8-10): For a bubble team, Illinois has one of the toughest roads to get the two wins they need to get in. First, they draw Michigan in their first game, a difficult match-up. Then, should they win that one, the Illini take on top-seeded Purdue. They are 1-2 in games against these teams this season, so it is possible they win back-to-back, but it seems unlikely. If they go 2-0 though, Illinois will likely have played their way into the field.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 3-8          Record vs. RPI 50-100: 8-4

Current seed: First Four Out     RPI: 57     SOS: 21

Bad losses: at Rutgers

Iowa Hawkeyes, 18-13 (10-8): Like Illinois, Iowa probably needs 2-3 wins to make the tournament field. This would give them 20 wins and six over the top-50. Unlike the Illini, the Hawkeyes have an easier first round opponent in Indiana. Should they get past the Hoosiers, their second round opponent would be Wisconsin. On the year, Iowa is a combined 2-0 against Indiana and Wisconsin.

Record vs. RPI top-50: 5-7          Record vs. RPI 50-100: 4-4

Current seed: First Four Out     RPI: 72     SOS: 43

Bad losses: vs. Memphis, vs. Nebraska-Omaha

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