Busting Brackets
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Bracketology 2020 Bubble Watch: Breaking down at-large contenders

By Lukas Harkins

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 08: Trevion Williams #50 of the Purdue Boilermakers takes a shot over Trayce Jackson-Davis #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Assembly Hall on February 08, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 08: Trevion Williams #50 of the Purdue Boilermakers takes a shot over Trayce Jackson-Davis #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the second half at Assembly Hall on February 08, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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RICHMOND, VA – JANUARY 25: Gilyard of the Spiders drives past. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA – JANUARY 25: Gilyard of the Spiders drives past. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: Dayton.

Safely in the field: None.

Some perspiration: Rhode Island.

Double the deodorant: Richmond, VCU

Rhode Island Rams (19-6, 11-2 A10)

NET: 32 | KPI: 23 | SOR: 30 | BPI: 54 | KP: 43 | Sag: 47

Q1: 1-4 | Q2: 5-1 | Q3: 7-1 | Q4: 6-0

Rhode Island only has one Q1 win this season and that is holding back its seeding for the future. I say seeding, though, because it feels as though the Rams belong safely in the tournament field at this moment. They have won 11 of their last 12 games with the lone loss coming on the road against Dayton – nothing to be too upset about. Rhody’s metrics are all pretty solid across the board and I have this team on the right side of the cutline at this moment. A crucial week approaches, though, as Rhody will travel to face Davidson and Fordham. Managing to win both would really help push them into a safer spot. For the time being, though, the Rams appear to be a step ahead of most bubble teams. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 9 seed.

Richmond Spiders (19-6, 9-3 A10)

NET: 46 | KPI: 42 | SOR: 44 | BPI: 45 | KP: 51 | Sag: 63

Q1: 2-4 | Q2: 2-0 | Q3: 6-2 | Q4: 9-0

Richmond has now rattled off four consecutive victories since dropping back-to-back a couple of weeks ago. Considering most other bubble teams have been struggling, the Spiders have been able to move onto the right side of the cutline. When Richmond is healthy, there are very few mid-majors in the country and that has been obvious throughout the year. The Spiders find themselves firmly entrenched in the bubble conversation, though, with six games left to play. They have a fairly favorable closing schedule but that also opens up the possibility of bad losses. Richmond will be favored in each of its next five games and taking care of business will be crucial. It does appear as though this squad is trending in the right direction. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 12 seed.

VCU Rams (17-9, 7-6 A10)

NET: 52 | KPI: 56 | SOR: 64 | BPI: 47 | KP: 53 | Sag: 69

Q1: 0-6 | Q2: 2-2 | Q3: 9-0 | Q4: 6-1

VCU is in big trouble. The Rams have lost three straight (and four of five) while falling out of the projected field and well behind the cutline. They have been really struggling down the stretch and are now winless in Q1 with just a 2-8 record in Q1+2 games. It’s hard to imagine that VCU will be able to recover and make the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid. They likely need to win out the rest of the regular season. Current Bracketology Placement: OUT.

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