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Bracketology Bubble Watch: Xavier, Tulsa surging into consideration

By Lukas Harkins

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: The reflection of the stadium can be seen in a bubble ahead of the FA Cup Fourth Round match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The London Stadium on January 25, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: The reflection of the stadium can be seen in a bubble ahead of the FA Cup Fourth Round match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The London Stadium on January 25, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NJ – FEBRUARY 01: Coach Steele of the Musketeers reacts. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – FEBRUARY 01: Coach Steele of the Musketeers reacts. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: Villanova, Seton Hall, Butler, Creighton, Marquette.

Safely in the field: None.

Some perspiration: None.

Double the deodorant: Xavier, Georgetown, Providence.

Xavier Musketeers (15-8, 4-6 BE)

NET: 47 | KPI: 40 | SOR: 50 | BPI: 58 | KP: 51 | Sag: 40

Q1: 3-7 | Q2: 3-1 | Q3: 5-0 | Q4: 4-0

Xavier has soared up the bubble ranks over the past week thanks to back-to-back true road wins over Seton Hall and DePaul. The Musketeers appear to finally be living up to their preseason hype as they have moved to 15-8 (4-6 BE) on the season. This is only a two-game sample size but it is arguably the best stretch of play that Xavier has put together all season. The Musketeers now belong firmly on the bubble and hovering around the cutline with a favorable closing schedule. The Musketeers will end this season without any bad losses and they just need to win enough games against quality opposition to dance. 4-4 over the final eight might honestly get that done. Current Bracketology Status: OUT

Georgetown Hoyas (13-9, 3-6 BE)

NET: 48 | KPI: 46 | SOR: 55 | BPI: 60 | KP: 52 | Sag: 56 

Q1: 2-7 | Q2: 4-2 | Q3: 1-0 | Q4: 5-0

Georgetown got back on track with a much-needed road win over this past weekend despite playing without Mac McClung. That victory allowed the Hoyas to stay right in the bubble hunt as one of my first teams out of the field. They will now play three of their next four games at home and this is a crucial stretch for them to make a move. Georgetown is just 13-9 (3-6 BE) this season but its metrics are solid and it is yet to take a bad loss. The Hoyas have a similar resume as Xavier but are a touch behind across the board. Current Bracketology Status: OUT

Providence Friars (12-10, 5-4 BE)

NET: 65 | KPI: 61 | SOR: 70 | BPI: 46 | KP: 53 | Sag: 49 

Q1: 3-4 | Q2: 2-5 | Q3: 2-0 | Q4: 6-0

Providence is just 12-10 (5-4 BE) for the season but it belongs on the bubble. Although the Friars have a poor record and have suffered some bad losses, they also have their fair share of high-quality wins. They still have some work to do in order to reach the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid but it is not completely out of the question. Providence’s metrics have soared over the past month and the team has proven that it can win (or at least compete at a high level) away from home. Ed Cooley stated that he is “coaching the most desperate team in the country” and it shows. The Friars are coming on just in time to potentially make a run at an at-large bid. Current Bracketology Status: OUT

Lots of work to do: DePaul and St. John’s.

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