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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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MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 23: Coach Pikiell of Rutgers meets. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 23: Coach Pikiell of Rutgers meets. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: Maryland, Penn State, Michigan State, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan

Safely in the field: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana

Some perspiration: Rutgers

Double the deodorant: Purdue, Minnesota

Wisconsin Badgers (17-10, NET: 30)

It would take a lot for Wisconsin to fall out of the field. The Badgers would essentially need to lose out *and* several bubble teams would need to finish strong. I don’t see it happening. Wisconsin will dance. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 8 seed.

Illinois Fighting Illini (18-9, NET: 36)

Illinois is in a similar position as Wisconsin. The Fighting Illini are currently slotted in a 8/9 matchup in most bracketology projections but they are a step or two ahead of most bubble teams. One more win should do the trick and move Illinois to the “lock” category. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 8 seed.

Indiana Hoosiers (18-9, NET: 53)

Indiana is still being held back by a poor NET ranking (No. 53) in comparison to the rest of its metrics. Aside from sitting outside of the Top 50 in that tool, though, the Hoosiers are in a good spot. They have won three of their last four games with wins over Iowa, Minnesota, and Penn State so it is clear that they have been playing better basketball as of late. Race Thompson has been huge during this recent stretch as a “motor man” of sorts for the squad. Indiana finishes with a tough closing schedule but splitting the final four would keep them in a strong position heading into the B1G Tournament.  Current Bracketology Placement: No. 9 seed.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (18-10, NET: 34)

Rutgers has held a fairly strong resume throughout this season but it has begun to fall apart over the past few weeks. The Scarlet Knights have lost five of their last seven games with one of those wins coming at home against Northwestern in overtime. They are just 11-10 in Q1+2+3 games for the season and they have a murderous closing schedule. Rutgers’ final three games will come against Penn State (away), Maryland (home), and Purdue (away). It is also important to mention that Rutgers is just 1-9 in road/neutral environments this season with the lone win coming over Nebraska. Head coach Steve Pikiell’s team needs to win one of these final three RS games. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 10 seed

Purdue Boilermakers (14-14, NET: 37)

Purdue needs to win games. It really is that simple. The Boilermakers are an even .500 at just 14-14 on the season and that will not cut it for the NCAA Tournament. Their efficiency metrics are superb, though, and that is keeping them in the hunt to make a run over the final few weeks of the year. With that said, though, I think that Purdue will need to win each of its final three regular season games over Indiana (home), Iowa (away), and Rutgers (home). That is a very difficult task considering Purdue has lost four in a row but it’s not impossible. Current Bracketology Placement: OUT.

Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-13, NET: 44)

Minnesota is in a similar position to Purdue. The Golden Gophers are also just .500 for the season but have solid metric rankings to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. They will finish with games against Maryland (home), Wisconsin (away), Indiana (away), and Nebraska (home). I think that Minnesota needs to win at least three of these heading into the Big Ten Tournament to remain interesting and on the bubble. Current Bracketology Placement: OUT.

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