Bracketology Bubble Watch: Where do teams stand relative to the field?
Big Ten Conference
Firmly in the field: Michigan, Michigan State, Maryland, Purdue, Iowa
Some perspiration: Nebraska, Wisconsin
Double the deodorant: Indiana, Ohio State, Minnesota
Michigan Wolverines (18-1, 7-1 B10)
NET: 6 | KPI: 6 | SOR: 4 | BPI: 8 | KP: 6 | Sag: 7
Q1: 4-1 | Q2: 6-0 | Q3: 1-0 | Q4: 7-0
Michigan has stumbled a bit as of late but still only have one loss on the season and that was on the road to a good Wisconsin team. Not much to argue about there. On the whole, the Wolverines are one of the clear top-6 teams in the nation and there is no reason to dispute that. With one of the better coaches in the nation in John Beilein leading the way, Michigan is a national title contender. The Big Ten is the best league in America and they are arguably the best team in the league. This is a team that will compete for a No. 1 seed.
Michigan State Spartans (17-2, 8-0 B10)
NET: 3 | KPI: 3 | SOR: 1 | BPI: 4 | KP: 3 | Sag: 3
Q1: 9-2 | Q2: 2-0 | Q3: 3-0 | Q4: 4-0
Michigan State is the only reason why I mentioned Michigan as “arguably” the best team in the Big Ten. To put it simply, the Spartans are playing at the highest level of any team in the country right now and that has translated to blowout victory after blowout victory. Michigan State has not lost since Nov. 27 and head coach Tom Izzo is seemingly in a “take no prisoners” kind of mood when it comes to dominating each opponent that crosses the schedule. Michigan State, just like their in-state rivals, will compete for a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance.
Maryland Terrapins (16-4, 7-2 B10)
NET: 19 | KPI: 13 | SOR: 14 | BPI: 23 | KP: 17 | Sag: 20
Q1: 4-3 | Q2: 4-1 | Q3: 3-0 | Q4: 5-0
Despite being one of the youngest teams in the country, Maryland has been extremely successful so far this year. Their record and metric rankings are tremendous and it is hard to argue with their collection of wins. Behind the stellar play of Anthony Cowan and Bruno Fernando, this is a team that could emerge as a darkhorse Final Four threat. They are talented, poised, and should only continue to improve as the year goes on. Remember when Mark Turgeon was on the hot seat? Ah…good times.
Purdue Boilermakers (12-6, 5-2 B10)
NET: 10 | KPI: 17 | SOR: 20 | BPI: 9 | KP: 8 | Sag: 10
Q1: 4-5 | Q2: 2-1 | Q3: 4-0 | Q4: 3-0
Purdue is a quality metric darling. Despite not holding a tremendous record, the Boilermakers have looked great in just about every performance so far this year and they are also being rewarded for playing one of the more rigorous schedules in the nation. Head coach Matt Painter‘s team has won four consecutive games and star player Carsen Edwards is starting to get more help from the supporting cast. With three of their next four games coming at home, Purdue could move even further up the seed lines soon.
Iowa Hawkeyes (16-4, 5-4 B10)
NET: 22 | KPI: 28 | SOR: 9 | BPI: 25 | KP: 30 | Sag: 30
Q1: 4-4 | Q2: 4-0 | Q3: 1-0 | Q4: 7-0
Iowa has sort of flown under the radar for the past few weeks. After starting conference play 0-3, the Hawkeyes have won five of their last six games and have proven that they can outscore just about anyone in the nation. Iowa’s offense is extremely potent and their defense is continuing to improve. The team has clearly made strides throughout the year and should start to gain more traction with regards to seeding as they continue to win. The Hawkeyes do, though, have a tough three-game stretch approaching: Minnesota (away), Michigan (home), and Indiana (away).
Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-6, 3-5 B10)
NET: 21 | KPI: 49 | SOR: 37 | BPI: 16 | KP: 14 | Sag: 14
Q1: 2-5 | Q2: 4-1 | Q3: 2-0 | Q4: 4-0
Nebraska has definitely struggled in Big Ten play. With four losses in their last six games, it is clear that the Cornhuskers are starting to stumble but their quality metrics remain outstanding. They are also entering a stretch that they should be able to take advantage of. With three of out of their next four games coming at home (road game is at Illinois), the team should be able to rise up the seed lines again fairly soon. For now, though, Nebraska is trending down.
Wisconsin Badgers (13-6, 5-3 B10)
NET: 15 | KPI: 24 | SOR: 25 | BPI: 11 | KP: 10 | Sag: 13
Q1: 5-4 | Q2: 2-2 | Q3: 2-0 | Q4: 4-0
After missing the NCAA Tournament last year, Wisconsin has responded in a big way this time around. With star big man Ethan Happ leading the way, the Badgers can be very difficult to match up with. And while the team did recently drop four of five, they came back with back-to-back wins over Michigan (home) and Illinois (away). The Badgers have outstanding metrics but six losses hold them back a bit in terms of seeding. With a strong finish, Wisconsin might land a protected seed but I don’t see it happening in a tough Big Ten.
Indiana Hoosiers (12-7, 3-5 B10)
NET: 36 | KPI: 47 | SOR: 38 | BPI: 37 | KP: 38 | Sag: 31
Q1: 4-7 | Q2: 1-0 | Q3: 1-0 | Q4: 6-0
Indiana is reeling. After starting the season 12-2 and 3-0 in Big Ten play, the team has dropped each of their last five games and the schedule is not getting any easier. Just a few weeks ago, the Hoosiers’ faithful had very little to worry about regarding the bubble. Now, though, they are tumbling in a hurry with two of their next three games coming on the road. Oh, and their one home game comes against arguably the top team in the conference in Michigan. Head coach Archie Miller and Co. need to right the ship…and in a hurry.
Ohio State Buckeyes (12-6, 2-5 B10)
NET: 46 | KPI: 43 | SOR: 50 | BPI: 36 | KP: 40 | Sag: 37
Q1: 2-4 | Q2: 1-2 | Q3: 2-0 | Q4: 7-0
Speaking of teams currently in a tailspin, Ohio State is not in any better shape. The Buckeyes have also dropped five consecutive games and will face Nebraska and Michigan, both on the road, in their next two games. This team is on the verge of potentially losing seven games in a row and they are falling right out of the NCAA Tournament at the moment. Chris Holtmann’s team is visibly struggling, especially when you consider they have dropped their last three home games. Yikes.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (14-5, 4-4 B10)
NET: 60 | KPI: 41 | SOR: 34 | BPI: 69 | KP: 63 | Sag: 51
Q1: 3-3 | Q2: 2-2 | Q3: 4-0 | Q4: 5-0
Minnesota remains right around the cutline at this point in time. For the most part, the Golden Gophers have taken care of business in Big Ten play but they are also not moving up the rankings right now. In order for Minnesota to move up the seed lines, they need to land a couple more big wins in conference play. Their current trend of alternating wins and losses will likely get them into the field but they could be sweating it out on Selection Sunday if that is the case. Minnesota has two home games coming up before entering a really difficult stretch of schedule so taking care of Iowa and Illinois in the coming week could go a long way.