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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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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 20: NC State celebrates. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 20: NC State celebrates. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: Duke, Florida State, Louisville

Safely in the field: None.

Some perspiration: None.

Double the deodorant: Virginia Tech, NC State, Syracuse, Virginia

Virginia Tech Hokies (14-7, 5-5 ACC)

NET: 54 | KPI: 67 | SOR: 43 | BPI: 58 | KP: 73 | Sag: 77

Q1: 2-4  | Q2: 3-2 | Q3: 1-1 | Q4: 8-0

Virginia Tech built up an early NCAA Tournament caliber resume when it was sitting at 13-4 (4-2 ACC) and was fresh off winning seven of its last eight games. Since then, though, the Hokies have fallen into a bit of slump as they have dropped three of their last four with the most recent defeats coming on the road to poor opponents in Boston College and Miami-FL. Thes most recent performances have really dropped Virginia Tech’s resume and the team will need to resurrect its NCAA Tournament hopes over the next couple of weeks. The Hokies will play four of their next five games at home and this is an absolutely pivotal stretch for the team. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 12 seed. 

NC State Wolfpack (14-7, 5-5 ACC)

NET: 59 | KPI: 46 | SOR: 62 | BPI: 46 | KP: 56 | Sag: 61

Q1: 2-2 | Q2: 3-3 | Q3: 3-2 | Q4: 6-0

Sticking with ACC bubble teams that have shot themselves in the foot a bit as of late, NC State has dropped its last two games to Georgia Tech (away) and North Carolina (home). While the Wolfpack still belong right around the cutline, they have some work to do moving forward. Additionally, three of their next four games will come on the road and that includes their lone home matchup coming against Louisville. This stretch represents an opportunity in two frames of mind: NC State can rise to the challenge and secure some resume-building wins or sink into the shadows by struggling away from home. Current Bracketology Placement: First Four Out.

Syracuse Orange (13-8, 6-4 ACC)

NET: 62 | KPI: 57 | SOR: 73 | BPI: 47 | KP: 51 | Sag: 46

Q1: 3-3 | Q2: 2-5 | Q3: 2-0 | Q4: 6-0

Syracuse recently won five straight games to climb right near the projected field cutline but then followed that up with a tough road loss to Clemson. This defeat, though, did not drop any of their metrics much considering it came by just one point. The Orange have still been playing their best basketball as of late and will play their next three games at home. This includes a looming matchup with Duke in the Carrier Dome that should be circled on everyone’s watch list. That could be the upset that Syracuse needs to put itself over the edge. The Orange are a sensational 3-point shooting team and have the potential to dance this season. Current Bracketology Placement: First Four Out.

Virginia Cavaliers (13-6, 5-4 ACC)

NET: 56 | KPI: 33 | SOR: 41 | BPI: 39 | KP: 48 | Sag: 41

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

The defending national champions are finding themselves back in the NCAA Tournament at-large conversation following a big home win over Florida State. That marked the Cavaliers’ third win over the past four games and moved them into a solid position to compete for a bid. Virginia’s offense is still putrid (249th in AdjO) but its defense will give a lot of ACC opponents trouble – possibly enough for the team to land in the Big Dance. The victory over Florida State was huge for Virginia’s resume and all of its metrics warrant NCAA Tournament inclusion at this moment. I am not yet sold that this team is good enough to dance but the resume might be there now. Current Bracketology Placement: Next Five Out.

Lots of work to do: Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Clemson, North Carolina

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