Bracketology Bubble Watch: Alabama, Syracuse rising into consideration

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) /

5 of 11

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 04: Coach Beard of TTU reacts. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: Baylor, Kansas, West Virginia.

Safely in the field: None.

Some perspiration: None.

Double the deodorant: Oklahoma, Texas Tech

Oklahoma Sooners (13-6, 3-3 B12)

NET: 46 | KPI: 30 | SOR: 31 | BPI: 61 | KP: 45 | Sag: 43

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

I’ve noted this on a few occasions already this season, but Oklahoma has perhaps the most underrated resume in the country. While many might believe that the Sooners do not belong in the NCAA Tournament based on the eye test, they actually have a resume that puts them on the right side of the bubble. Five Q2 wins help to buffer their resume as does their complete lack of a bad loss. Oklahoma might not look the part of a team that could make a deep run from a double-digit seed right now but it has handled its business when it should all season long. A slip-up or two could really change this thought process but so could a big win or two. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 10 seed.

Texas Tech Red Raiders (12-7, 3-3 B12)

NET: 37 | KPI: 80 | SOR: 69 | BPI: 30 | KP: 30 | Sag: 39

Q1: 1-7 | Q2: 2-0 | Q3: 1-0 | Q4: 8-0

Who is Texas Tech? Are they the team that ranks in the Top 40 in all efficiency-based metrics and looks the part of an NCAA Tournament team? Or are they the team ranked outside of the Top 65 in resume-based metrics and has been unable to consistently secure victories over high-quality teams? At this point in the season, the Red Raiders remain the toughest team in the country to figure out. I believe that Texas Tech is a better team than its resume shows but at some point, the team has to secure some victories. The Red Raiders have just four wins over Q1+2+3 combined and that won’t cut it come March. They need to rack up some victories to move off the bubble – they are being buoyed by efficiency metrics right now. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 12 seed.

Lots of work to do: TCU, Texas, Iowa State.

Home/Bracketology