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Bracketology Bubble Watch: Who is shooting for an at-large bid?

By Lukas Harkins

BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 14: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers prepares to shoot a free throw against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on January 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 14: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers prepares to shoot a free throw against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Assembly Hall on January 14, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – MARCH 19: A general view. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – MARCH 19: A general view. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

With a huge weekend approaching, here comes another edition of our bracketology bubble watch, which analyzes each team in the running for an at-large bid.

Primetime bracketology season has begun. With only 4-6 games remaining in the regular season for just about team in the country, those on the bubble are starting to get more and more desperate. And with the way the bubble is shaping up this season, there are so many teams currently in the running to land bids. Unlike some other seasons, though, it almost seems as though bubble teams do not want bids this season.

Bubble teams are dropping uncharacteristic games night in and night out and it is nearly impossible to get a grasp of what is going on. But…that is what makes bracketology and college basketball fun, right? Now, without any further ado, let’s quickly jump into this edition of my complete bracketology bubble watch!

As a quick refresher, here is a quick breakdown of what each of the categories in this piece signifies:

Lead-pipe lock: Barring a massive collapse or huge injury issues, these teams are sure-fire NCAA Tournament teams. They are No. 1-6 seeds in just about everyone’s projected fields and it would be a shock for them to tank out of the field.

Firmly in the field: These teams have the potential to reach the “lead-pipe lock” category in next week’s edition of the bubble watch. Through the first few months of the season, they have put together a great resume and are in just about everyone’s projected bracketology field. They usually hold No. 6-8 seeds.

Some perspiration: Teams in this category might not be on the verge of missing the NCAA Tournament but they cannot afford major slides in the coming weeks. As long as they play as they have been, an at-large bid is in their future. These teams usually currently hold No. 8-10 seeds.

Double the deodorant: These are the squads who would be sweating out Selection Sunday most if the tournament started today. They have work left to do in the coming months to secure a spot in the Big Dance and are usually either in the tournament as a No. 10-12 seed or on the outside looking in.

So, without any further ado, let’s dive into the fourth edition of the 2019 bubble watch!

This update to the bracketology bubble watch is completed prior to the games on Friday, Feb. 14.

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