Bracketology Bubble Watch: Arizona State, Stanford trending oppositely
Lead-Pipe Locks: Duke, Florida State, Louisville
Safely in the field: None.
Some perspiration: None.
Double the deodorant: Virginia, NC State, Notre Dame, Syracuse
Virginia Cavaliers (16-7, 8-5 ACC)
NET: 54 | KPI: 38 | SOR: 42 | BPI: 42 | KP: 51 | Sag: 35
Q1: 2-3 | Q2: 4-2 | Q3: 6-2 | Q4: 4-0
Virginia has won four of its last five games with its only loss coming on the road to Louisville. As a result of this strong play over the past few weeks, the Cavaliers have moved right onto the bracketology projected cutline at this moment. They definitely still have some work to do in order to prove that they belong, but UVA is the best shape of any ACC bubble team at this moment. The Cavaliers bring a relatively strong record to the table but do not boast a ton of quality wins while also having suffered two Q3 losses. Their next four games (at UNC, vs. BC, at Pitt, at VT) are all relatively difficult considering three will come on the road but all are winnable. This will be a crucial stretch for Virginia heading into a tough final two weeks. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 12 seed.
NC State Wolfpack (16-8, 7-6 ACC)
NET: 61 | KPI: 52 | SOR: 59 | BPI: 51 | KP: 61 | Sag: 56
Q1: 3-2 | Q2: 4-4 | Q3: 3-2 | Q4: 6-0
I mentioned last week that NC State was in danger of falling off the bubble after dropping three straight games. The team responded, though, by taking care of business in back-to-back true road games against Miami-FL and Syracuse. While neither is a true signature win by any stretch, the Wolfpack now belongs firmly back in the cutline discussion. It is also important to mention that NC State has a favorable schedule for a bubble team left. The Wolfpack will play five of their final eight games at home and that includes home matchups with Florida State and Duke. It’s resume-building time for NC State. Current Bracketology Placement: OUT.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (15-9, 6-8 ACC)
NET: 51 | KPI: 79 | SOR: 63 | BPI: 47 | KP: 54 | Sag: 43
Q1: 1-5 | Q2: 2-3 | Q3: 5-1 | Q4: 7-0
Notre Dame was nearly able to snag a huge road win over Virginia during this past week by fell by one point in overtime. This was definitely a blow as the Fighting Irish had been steadily trending towards the cutline after a four-game winning streak. Notre Dame is still in the bubble picture even after the loss but has a lot of work to do. The team is only 3-8 in Q1+2 games and also has suffered a Q3 loss. The resume isn’t great right now but the Irish are within striking range. Their upcoming road contest with Duke isn’t quite a “must-win” but a victory would be massive for their hopes. If they cannot steal that one, then they can probably only lose one other game the rest of the regular season (might even have to win out). Current Bracketology Placement: OUT.
Syracuse Orange (14-10, 7-6 ACC)
NET: 65 | KPI: 60 | SOR: 68 | BPI: 49 | KP: 56 | Sag: 49
Q1: 2-4 | Q2: 2-5 | Q3: 4-1 | Q4: 6-0
Syracuse leaped into the bubble conversation very briefly after a five-game winning streak a couple of weeks ago. Since then, though, the Orange have now lost three of their last four and have fallen significantly far behind the cutline. Yet, with back-to-back road meetings with Florida State and Louisville during this coming week, opportunities are available to slide back up the bubble. Losing both would end at-large hopes for this team. Current Bracketology Placement: OUT.
Lots of work to do: Pittsburgh.