NCAA Bracketology: Buy or sell mid-major bubble teams in 2019

By TJ Miller | Feb 5, 2019

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: The Lipscomb Bisons bench reacts at the start of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 20: Players of the Wofford Terriers celebrate following their win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on December 20, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Wofford won 79-75. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Wofford – BUY

Record: 19-4 (11-0 SoCon)

NET: 27

Best wins: at South Carolina, vs. UNC-G

There’s not a whole lot to dislike about Wofford’s resume. The Terriers lost by 11 points in each contest vs UNC, at Oklahoma, and at Mississippi St and lost by 25 at Allen Fieldhouse against Kansas. Sure, a victory in one of these games would have been but none of these losses are bad. Wofford’s win at South Carolina is starting to look better as the Gamecocks now sit 4th in the SEC. And don’t forget Wofford blew out a solid UNC-G team away from home.

These things alone may not be enough to earn an at-large bid, but Wofford sits at 27th in the NET, ahead of teams like Washington, Baylor, and Florida St who many see as comfortably in. Metrics aside, Wofford plays an entertaining style of basketball and is the kind of team a 5 or 6 seed would hate to play in the NCAA Tournament. As a team they’ve shot 41% from 3pt range (6th in the country) and have several players capable of catching fire on a nightly basis.

Related Story. Can Wofford get through the SoCon?. light

League play started early in the SoCon this year meaning Wofford has just seven games left. The three most challenging games will be at ETSU this Thursday, and then back-to-back games vs. UNC-G and at Furman later in February. If Wofford can go 2-1 in these contests and avoid another loss in conference play, then I think a 17-1 in a strong SoCon should be enough to get Wofford in the Big Dance. That’s also assuming a loss in the conference tournament finals against a quality opponent.

As of now I feel confident enough in what I’ve seen to buy this group. All Wofford can do is continue to win games to bolster its case should they fail to win the SoCon tourney.

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