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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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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Smith of the Bruins reacts. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Smith of the Bruins reacts. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: Oregon, Colorado, Arizona

Safely in the field: Arizona State.

Some perspiration: None.

Double the deodorant: Stanford, USC, UCLA

Arizona State Sun Devils (19-8, NET: 41)

There might not be a single team in this bubble watch that has made a more significant push than Arizona State over the past few weeks. The Sun Devils are currently in the midst of a seven-game winning streak and they have won nine of their last 10. This team has clearly found its rhythm while launching not only onto the right side of the bubble but into single-digit seed territory. ASU should safely dance this season with just 1-2 more wins. A tough road trip approaches against two of the next three teams (UCLA, USC) on the P12 bubble. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 9 seed.

Stanford Cardinal (18-9, NET: 31)

Stanford was stuck in a tough place a week ago having lost seven of its last eight games. Basically the only thing that the Cardinal had going for them at that point was a strong NET rankings. After sweeping Washington and Washington State on the road during this past week, though, it feels like Stanford is back on track and deserves to be on the right side of the cutline again. Stanford finishes with a tough closing schedule against Utah (home), Colorado (home), Oregon State (away), and Oregon (away). The goal should be to win at least three of those games but that is far easier said than done. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 11 seed.

USC Trojans (19-9, NET: 47)

USC has lost five of its last seven games and has slipped right to the edge of the projected cutline at the moment. Thankfully, though, the Trojans will finish their regular season with three consecutive home games against Arizona, Arizona State, and UCLA. While all three are formidable opponents, USC has only lost two home games all season long and could rely on that crowd advantage to push itself back to bracketology safety. Winning all three down the stretch would be monstrous. Current Bracketology Placement: No. 11 seed.

UCLA Bruins (17-11, NET: 77)

UCLA has won five consecutive games to play itself onto the bubble over the past several weeks. It finally feels as though the team is responding to the leadership of head coach Mick Cronin and it is a scary unit at the moment. While there is still lots of work to be done regarding a potential at-large bid, the Bruins have climbed 63 spots on KenPom over just the last month. They will finish the season with games against Arizona State (home), Arizona (home), and USC (away) so there are more opportunities approaching to rise. UCLA is trending in the right direction…and quickly. Current Bracketology Placement: OUT.

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