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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) /
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RICHMOND, VA – JANUARY 25: Gilyard of the Spiders drives. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
RICHMOND, VA – JANUARY 25: Gilyard of the Spiders drives. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: Dayton.

Safely in the field: None.

Some perspiration: Rhode Island.

Double the deodorant: Richmond.

Rhode Island Rams (19-7, NET: 38)

A lot of people might disagree with me on this, but I still think that Rhode Island is in pretty good shape to reach the NCAA Tournament. Even though the Rams are just 1-5 in Q1 games, they are 6-1 in Q2 to make up for that a bit. Additionally, they rank between 34-55 in all metrics on the team sheet and that leads to a solid average positioning compared to others on the bubble. With this said, though, Rhode Island has dropped two of its last three games and it cannot continue to trend in this direction. The Rams will likely be heavy favorites in three of their final four games while being an underdog at home against Dayton. Going 3-1 to end the regular season would put Rhody in a good position. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 10 seed.

Richmond Spiders (20-7, NET: 50)

Richmond fell on the road to Saint Bonaventure during this past week and that was definitely a major blow to its at-large hopes. The Spiders still boast a strong overall record for the season and that includes three Q1 wins, though. I have Richmond on the outside-looking-in at the NCAA Tournament at this moment but barely as it is just on the edge. Their metrics are pretty solid across the board (except for sitting at No. 68 in Sagarin) and they have only one “bad loss”. Richmond has a relatively favorable closing schedule and should look to go 3-1 or 4-0 heading into the A10 Tournament. Current Bracketology Placement: OUT.

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