Bracketology Bubble Watch: Arizona State, Stanford trending oppositely

TEMPE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Remy Martin #1 of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half of the NCAAB game at Desert Financial Arena on December 14, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Bulldogs 79-59. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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NEWARK, NJ – FEBRUARY 01: Coach Steele of Xavier 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 (16-8, 5-6 BE)

NET: 44 | KPI: 27 | SOR: 40 | BPI: 53 | KP: 48 | Sag: 29

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

Xavier continued its run of hot play during this past weekend by defending its home court against Providence. This moved the Musketeers’ winning streak to three games in advance of a crucial two-game road trip to Butler and Saint John’s. Splitting or winning both of these next two would go a long way for Xavier, who currently sits just on the right side of the cutline. Xavier’s defense has been excellent all season long and Tyrique Jones has been an absolute monster on the glass over the past few games. The Musketeers are one of the very few bubble teams that have been playing well as of late – they just have to keep that up. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 11 seed.

Georgetown Hoyas (14-10, 4-7 BE)

NET: 52 | KPI: 49 | SOR: 60 | BPI: 62 | KP: 52 | Sag: 58

Q1: 3-9 | Q2: 4-1 | Q3: 2-0 | Q4: 5-0

Georgetown secured a much-needed home win over DePaul during this past weekend to stay in the at-large conversation. The Hoyas do not have an overwhelming resume by any stretch but their metrics are strong enough to stick within the first few teams out of my projected field at this point in time. Georgetown has struggled with depth issues for the last few weeks and the team needed Mac McClung back as soon as possible. The Hoyas will play three of their next four games on the road and that includes away matchups with Butler and Marquette. Georgetown has work to do but opportunities are there. Current Bracketology Placement: OUT.

Providence Friars (13-11, 6-5 BE)

NET: 56 | KPI: 57 | SOR: 80 | BPI: 65 | KP: 59 | Sag: 44

Q1: 4-7 | Q2: 2-0 | Q3: 3-3 | Q4: 4-1

Providence’s resume isn’t pretty but neither are many others on the bubble. If the committee is going to value high-quality wins this season with regard to selection, then the Friars are in a much better position than many might be willing to admit. While Providence has certainly suffered its fair share of bad losses, it has also secured road wins over Marquette and Butler that shouldn’t be simply glossed over. The Friars have a lot of work to do to get onto the right side of the cutline but they are not completely out of the bubble picture. This is a team that has played quite well since the start of conference play and still has home meetings with Seton Hall and Marquette left. Current Bracketology Placement: OUT.

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

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