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Bracketology 2020: San Diego State, Arizona and Marquette biggest losers

By Andrew Dieckhoff

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Brian Dutcher of the San Diego State Aztecs directs his team from the bench area late in the game against the UNLV Runnin Rebels at Viejas Arena on February 22, 2020 in San Diego, California. The Runnin' Rebels defeated the Aztecs 66-63. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Head coach Brian Dutcher of the San Diego State Aztecs directs his team from the bench area late in the game against the UNLV Runnin Rebels at Viejas Arena on February 22, 2020 in San Diego, California. The Runnin' Rebels defeated the Aztecs 66-63. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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VILLANOVA, PA – FEBRUARY 12: Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA – FEBRUARY 12: Markus Howard #0 of the Marquette Golden Eagles (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Marquette (17-9, 7-7 Big East)

Just when it started to feel like you could trust Marquette, they gave the world a reminder of why life in the Big East is so tough—even with one of the country’s top five players suiting up.

Two weeks ago, the Eagles soared back into the Top 25 after an impressive home victory over Butler. But ever since, it has been nothing but anguish for Steve Wojciechowski’s squad.

Last week, Marquette came thisclose to pulling off a comeback upset of Villanova on the road, but they eventually fell 72-71. That was a forgivable loss, to be sure. It certainly should not have been cause for concern.

But after this week, the alarm bells might be ringing.

Marquette lost each of their past two games, extending their post-Butler losing streak to three. The first matchup came at home against a Creighton team that is currently campaigning for the top spot in the Big East alongside Seton Hall and Villanova. It was a game that would have strengthened the Golden Eagles’ position among the top twenty teams on the NCAA Tournament seed list.

Like the Villanova loss, falling to Creighton didn’t knock Marquette back too much. Defeats are rarely encouraging, sure, but those two losses probably only pushed them down one seed line.

Saturday’s 84-72 road loss to Providence—a team fighting for its life to earn an NCAA bid—did a bit more damage to Marquette’s resume.

Just to be clear: Marquette is going to make the NCAA Tournament. They have five wins over Quadrant 1 opponents. They have six more over Quadrant 2. They don’t have any bad losses. They are in the Top 30 of all six metrics.

So, for this team, the question isn’t whether they will go to the Big Dance. The question now becomes, “who will be Marquette’s dancing partner?”

After the Butler game, it seemed like this team was trending toward a protected seed, maybe even as high as a #3 if things broke the right way. But now, the Eagles look like they could be headed for a #7 seed, which could put them into a hairy situation against this year’s strong crop of potential #2 seeds.

A deep run in the Big East Tournament could put Marquette back up on the five-seed line. But that might be their ceiling after this week.

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