Busting Brackets
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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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SUNRISE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 21: Lewis of the Gators shoots. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 21: Lewis of the Gators shoots. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: Auburn, LSU, Kentucky

Safely in the field: None.

Some perspiration: Arkansas, Florida.

Double the deodorant: Mississippi State, Alabama

Arkansas Razorbacks (16-6, 4-5 SEC)

NET: 35 | KPI: 21 | SOR: 37 | BPI: 36 | KP: 34 | Sag: 36

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

Arkansas jumped out to a 14-2 (3-1 SEC) start to this season and was firmly in the NCAA Tournament field. Since then, though, the Razorbacks have lost four of their last six games. Three of those losses came at home. While they still deserve to be in the field at this moment, this team needs to get back on track in order to stay on the right side of the cutline. That is also easier said than done with three of the next four games coming on the road. Additionally, Isaiah Joe is currently out indefinitely and his loss will certainly hurt. Current Bracketology Status: No. 7 seed

Florida Gators (13-8, 5-3 SEC)

NET: 42 | KPI: 41 | SOR: 48 | BPI: 22 | KP: 42 | Sag: 41

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

Florida responded from losing three straight games with a road victory over Vanderbilt during this past week. While that doesn’t necessarily mean anything for their resume, the Gators needed this one to get back on track and it will hopefully give them some confidence moving forward. The team remains firmly entrenched in the bubble as a projected double-digit seed by most bracketologists (myself included) at this moment. Florida does not have a single bad loss this season but is just 5-8 in Q1+2 games. Thankfully, all of their committee-used metrics are ranked within the Top 50 and that is not something every bubble team can say. Current Bracketology Status: No. 10 seed

Mississippi State Bulldogs (13-7, 4-3 SEC)

NET: 37 | KPI: 39 | SOR: 56 | BPI: 33 | KP: 35 | Sag: 32

Q1: 1-6 | Q2: 3-0 | Q3: 5-2 | Q4: 5-0

Winning five of seven games might not sound all that spectacular but it is for a team currently sitting on the bubble. Mississippi State is currently in the midst of that streak and has moved into my projected field as a result. Despite not holding many quality wins and having already suffered two Q3 losses, the Bulldogs have joined the 68 behind excellent metric rankings. They sit in the Top 40 in all but one committee-used system and that is a huge bonus for their resume. Additionally, it is important to note that they are playing their best basketball of the season right now and that is a great sign moving forward. Mississippi State should also be able to collect wins down the stretch as it will only play one other team currently projected to go dancing (Arkansas) for the rest of the season. Current Bracketology Status: No. 11 seed

Alabama Crimson Tide (12-10, 4-5 SEC)

NET: 41 | KPI: 51 | SOR: 69 | BPI: 59 | KP: 46 | Sag: 52

Q1: 1-5 | Q2: 2-4 | Q3: 6-1 | Q4: 3-0

Alabama has dropped three straight games and it now has some work to do in order to get back into the projected field. I am still a believer in the Crimson Tide as a better team than their resume shows but that won’t matter on Selection Sunday. Alabama needs to string together some wins in order to dance and a great place to start would be with road wins over Georgia and Auburn during this coming week. Neither one will come easy, especially not the latter, but winning one is a must and winning both would greatly improve their tournament hopes. Current Bracketology Status: OUT

Lots of work to do: Tennessee and South Carolina.

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