Busting Brackets
Fansided

Bracketology Bubble Watch: Providence rising, Rutgers in trouble

By Lukas Harkins

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: A reflection of the stadium can be seen in the bubble as it bursts ahead 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: A reflection of the stadium can be seen in the bubble as it bursts ahead 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 10
Next
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 12: Reeves #10 of the Friars looks on. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 12: Reeves #10 of the Friars looks on. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

Bracketology season is drawing to a close as Selection Sunday nears. This bubble watch will analyze each team currently under at-large inspection.

The 2019-20 college basketball regular season is drawing a close. While some fans of future NCAA Tournament teams might feel as though the season is only just beginning, those suffering down seasons cannot believe the campaign it is still dragging on. Nonetheless, though, the most exciting month of the season is rapidly approaching as Selection Sunday is just a few short weeks away.

Teams across the country are now putting together their last-minute pitches to the committee and the fight for the national title will soon narrow to just 68 teams.

With that said, though, this season has been nearly impossible to figure out since the opening tip. Top-ranked teams dropping like flies was the main story of the first two months but now is the time for bracketology to take center stage. Most notably, there are still plenty of teams sitting firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble hoping to hear their name called next month.

This Bracketology Bubble Watch will spotlight those teams hovering around the projected cutline and indicate what they might need to do over the next few weeks to dance. For those who are new to my bubble watch, here are the categories that each potential at-large team will be separated into:

Bubble Watch Categories:

Lead-pipe lock: Barring a massive collapse, these teams are sure-fire NCAA Tournament teams.

Firmly in the field: Through the first few months of the season, these teams have put together strong resumes and would not be sweating whatsoever if Selection Sunday was this weekend. They cannot, though, lose a bunch of games in a row and still remain safe.

Some perspiration: Teams in this category are in dangerous territory but would more than likely be in the NCAA Tournament right now. As long as they stay the course, an at-large bid is in their future. Slip-ups increase the potential sweat level, though.

Double the deodorant: These are the squads who would be sweating out Selection Sunday most if the tournament started today. They have work left to do to either remain in the projected field or work their way in.

Now, without any further ado, let’s dive into the fifth edition of the 2020 bracketology bubble watch! This version of the bubble watch takes into account games played through Feb. 25th and the “Current Bracketology Placement” is based on my updated field from the same date.

Home/Bracketology