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Bracketology Bubble Watch: Indiana, Creighton sitting on the edge

By Lukas Harkins

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 19: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers prepares to shoot a free throw against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 19, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 19: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers prepares to shoot a free throw against the Purdue Boilermakers at Assembly Hall on February 19, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Coach Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Coach Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Big Ten Conference

Lead-pipe lock: Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland

Firmly in the field: None.

Some perspiration: Minnesota

Double the deodorant: Ohio State, Indiana.

Minnesota Golden Gophers (19-11, 9-10 B10)

NET: 55 | KPI: 38 | SOR: 32 | BPI: 54 | KP: 46 | Sag: 43

Q1: 3-8 | Q2: 6-3 | Q3: 5-0 | Q4: 5-0

Minnesota has seemingly played its way into the field over the past week. The Golden Gophers have long been one of the teams that I have been hesitant to believe in but they proved me wrong with a big road win over Northwestern followed by defending their home court against Purdue. And while the team is still under .500 in conference play, their overall resume is definitely strong enough to be in the tournament field at this point in time. With that said, though, they probably need one more win in order to feel safe. The Gophers close the regular season with a road matchup against Maryland, who they lost to by 15 at home. This win might have to wait until the Big Ten Tournament but I think they get it.

Current Bracketology Status: No. 10 seed.

Ohio State Buckeyes (18-12, 8-11 B10)

NET: 51 | KPI: 47  | SOR: 38  | BPI: 41 | KP: 45 | Sag: 39

Q1: 4-8 | Q2: 3-3 | Q3: 5-1 | Q4: 6-0

Ohio State has definitely stumbled a little bit down the stretch of this season. Ever since moving into relatively safe position a few weeks ago, the Buckeyes have dropped five of their last seven games, including their last two, and are trending down compared to most other bubble teams. Their metric rankings are all fairly solid but none of them are elite, either. Additionally, the lack of Kaleb Wesson due to suspension as of late has been (predictably) detrimental and he will also miss Ohio State’s season finale against Wisconsin at home. Similar to Minnesota, this team likely needs one more win to dance.

Current Bracketology Status: No. 11 seed (Last Four Byes).

Indiana Hoosiers (16-14, 7-12 B10)

NET: 50 | KPI: 47 | SOR: 38 | BPI: 41 | KP: 45 | Sag: 39

Q1: 6-9 | Q2: 2-5 | Q3: 2-0 | Q4: 6-0

Here. Comes. Indiana. After dropping 12 of 13 games earlier in the year, the Hoosiers have now won three straight, including two home victories over Wisconsin and Michigan State. And while this does not put the team in my projected field at this point in time, they are definitely knocking on the door. Although many might be dissuaded by their weak conference record, that is not pertinent to the selection process and their six Q1 wins will be hard to ignore. The Hoosiers finish their regular-season schedule with Rutgers at home. This is a must-win game. Current Bracketology Status: First Four Out.

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