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Bracketology Bubble Watch: Alabama, Syracuse rising into consideration

By Lukas Harkins

SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange shoots the ball as Casey Morsell #13 of the Virginia Cavaliers defends during the second half at the Carrier Dome on November 6, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Virginia defeated Syracuse 48-34. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Elijah Hughes #33 of the Syracuse Orange shoots the ball as Casey Morsell #13 of the Virginia Cavaliers defends during the second half at the Carrier Dome on November 6, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Virginia defeated Syracuse 48-34. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 17: Rhode Island players hug. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 17: Rhode Island players hug. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: Dayton.

Safely in the field: None.

Some perspiration: None.

Double the deodorant: VCU, Rhode Island, Richmond

VCU Rams (15-5, 5-2 A10)

NET: 33 | KPI: 43 | SOR: 42 | BPI: 37 | KP: 43 | Sag: 45

Q1: 1-3 | Q2: 1-2 | Q3: 7-0 | Q4: 7-0

VCU’s lack of high-quality wins is the only thing holding it back from being more safely in the projected field. The Rams are just 2-5 in Q1+2 games and that will continue to hurt their seeding potential as the season continues. With that said, though, I am gaining confidence in this squad as one that should dance in a couple of months. VCU has won four straight games and most recently took down a fellow bubble team, Richmond, by 19 points at home. The Rams have such a big home-court advantage that they should defend the Siegel Center well to finish the season. They also have a home opportunity against Dayton coming on Feb. 18th that could really change the national perception of this squad. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 11 seed.

Rhode Island Rams (15-5, 7-1 A10)

NET: 45 | KPI: 26 | SOR: 35 | BPI: 57 | KP: 52 | Sag: 52

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

Rhode Island is perhaps the hottest team in the country that continues to fly under-the-radar. Behind the stellar backcourt duo of Jeff Dowtin and Fatts Russell, the Rams have rattled off seven consecutive wins (four on the road) over the past few weeks including victories over Davidson, VCU, and Duquesne. While their remaining A10 schedule is quite difficult with both matchups against Dayton still looming, those should be viewed as opportunities to bolster a resume that is currently on the right side of the bubble, in my opinion. While most teams have struggled in recent weeks, Rhody is hitting its stride at the right time while climbing over 30 spots in most efficiency metrics. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 11 seed.

Richmond Spiders (15-5, 5-2 A10)

NET: 58 | KPI: 49 | SOR: 49 | BPI: 60 | KP: 74 | Sag: 82

Q1: 2-4 | Q2: 1-1 | Q3: 4-1 | Q4: 8-0

Richmond had a pair of huge opportunities during the past week by playing Dayton at home and then going on the road to face VCU. Unfortunately, the Spiders were unable to come away with either victory and that caused a minor dip in their current resume. Neither of those losses is extremely detrimental but winning one or both of those games would have really changed the trajectory for this squad. Richmond still has a solid enough resume to remain in the bubble conversation, though, and seven of its next eight games come against teams ranked outside KenPom Top 120. They could start really collecting some wins. Current Bracketology Placement: Next Five Out. 

Lots of work to do: Saint Louis, Duquesne, Davidson

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