Busting Brackets
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Bracketology Bubble Watch: Who deserves at-large consideration?

By Lukas Harkins

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Bubbles are seen prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on October 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Bubbles are seen prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on October 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – JANUARY 28: Coach Dixon of the TCU Horned Frogs reacts. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – JANUARY 28: Coach Dixon of the TCU Horned Frogs reacts. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Big 12 Conference

Lead-pipe lock: Kansas, Iowa State, Texas Tech, Kansas State

Firmly in the field: Baylor, Texas

Some perspiration: None.

Double the deodorant: TCU, Oklahoma.

Baylor Bears (17-9, 8-5 B12)

NET: 33 | KPI: 31 | SOR: 41 | BPI: 37 | KP: 32 | Sag: 35

Q1: 4-6 | Q2: 7-1 | Q3: 1-0 | Q4: 5-2

Despite how well Baylor has played throughout Big 12 play, those two disastrous Q4 losses from very early in the season are still keeping them slightly on the bubble. On the whole, though, I think this team is fairly safe due to their awesome 11-7 record in Q1/2 games. They have a major leg up on the rest of the bubble in that category and their metrics are all rated in the top-41. This team will dance in March and has the potential to be one of the more dangerous No. 8/9 seeds in the field. Current Projected Seed: No. 8.

Texas Longhorns (15-11, 7-6 B12)

NET: 35 | KPI: 32 | SOR: 57 | BPI: 29 | KP: 26 | Sag: 26

Q1: 4-6 | Q2: 4-4 | Q3: 4-1 | Q4: 3-0

Texas’ resume looks a bit more clear than it did a few weeks ago. Now with quality metric rankings pretty much across the board and only one bad loss by quadrant standards, the Longhorns are in good shape to dance. That, of course, is always subject to change when you consider the dangerous schedule that lies ahead but I think that this team will be in the NCAA Tournament. And, as we have already seen so far this year, they could be a first-round exit or a squad that reaches the second weekend. Current Projected Seed: No. 9.

TCU Horned Frogs (17-9, 5-8 B12)

NET: 41 | KPI: 36 | SOR: 43 | BPI: 42 | KP: 43 | Sag: 39

Q1: 1-6 | Q2: 5-3 | Q3: 7-0 | Q4: 4-0

TCU is trending down and doing so quickly. Throughout most of this season, the Horned Frogs were skating by thanks to great metric ratings and an elite record despite playing a weak schedule. Then, they took down Iowa State on the road and it seemed as though they were going to be in the projected field for good. Since then, though, TCU has dropped three consecutive games and are now right back in the bubble conversation. They are still fairly firmly in the field at the moment but a tough schedule looms. Will the Horned Frogs be able to turn it around? Their margin for error is running out. Current Projected Seed: No. 10.

Oklahoma Sooners (16-10, 4-9 B12)

NET: 38 | KPI: 27 | SOR: 31 | BPI: 38 | KP: 37 | Sag: 31

Q1: 3-8 | Q2: 6-2 | Q3: 7-0 | Q4: 0-0

Oklahoma played only one game during this past week and managed to secure a much-needed win on the road against TCU. This victory ended a five-game losing streak for the Sooners and put them back on the right side of the bubble and with a little bit of breathing room. As is the case for every Big 12 bubble team, though, they have a tough schedule coming up and hanging onto a bid will not be easy. In order to be in pretty solid position heading into the conference tournament, Oklahoma should shoot for winning three of its final five games (two might even do it with the state of the bubble). Current Projected Seed: No. 10.

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