Bracketology Bubble Watch: Analyzing cutline as Selection Sunday nears

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 20: Bryce of the Wolfpack. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: Duke, Florida State, Louisville, Virginia

Some Perspiration: None.

Double the Deodorant: NC State.

Long Shots: Notre Dame.

NC State Wolfpack (19-12, NET: 54)

Bracketology Average: OUT (31.0% of brackets)

NC State is hanging right around the cutline for most bracketologists at the moment. While the Wolfpack are currently my last team in the field, they are generally viewed as being on the outside-looking-in by the Bracket Matrix. With that said, though, they have huge opportunities at the ACC Tournament to make a move firmly onto the right side of the bubble. Their resume is already pretty solid all-around and only needs to add a couple more wins, in my opinion.

NC State will face Pittsburgh in the second round of the event (will be at about halftime when this is published). That is a must-win game before having to match up against Duke in the quarterfinals. Considering the Wolfpack’s current status, that potential meeting with the Blue Devils could be a play-in game for the NCAA Tournament. A win would likely lock them into an at-large bid while a loss would leave them sweating profusely.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (19-12, NET: 56)

Bracketology Average: OUT (0% of brackets)

Notre Dame is a longshot for an at-large bid in that it needs to make the ACC Tournament final to have a shot. It is important to mention, though, that this is a team with a chance to make that run considering its talent, coaching, and matchups along the way. The ACC is in the midst of a “down season” and seeing a team like Notre Dame emerge as a bid-stealer or a squad that surges toward a potential at-large bid wouldn’t be all that shocking.

In order to make that happen, Notre Dame would need to go through Boston College, Virginia, and likely Louisville to reach the championship game. It is important to mention that the Irish beat the Eagles on the road, narrowly fell to the Cavaliers in overtime on the road, and only lost by two at home to FSU all within the last month of the regular-season. This is a manageable road, albeit still a longshot.

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