Bracketology Bubble Watch: Analyzing cutline as Selection Sunday nears

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WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – MARCH 07: Baker of Rutgers shoots. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Lead-Pipe Locks: MSU, UMD, OSU, Wisconsin, Michigan, PSU, Iowa, Illinois

Some Perspiration: Indiana, Rutgers

Double the Deodorant: None.

Long Shots: Purdue.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (19-11, NET: 31)

Bracketology Average: IN (100% of brackets) – 9.26 seed

Rutgers should be in the lock category. The Scarlet Knights’ road win over Purdue at the end of the regular-season should have solidified that. Even with the victory, though, there are some legitimate concerns regarding the team’s lack of success away from home this season. Rutgers should, without a doubt, be an NCAA Tournament team and its resume backs that up. The only way they get left out is if the committee is enamored with road/neutral record this season. I don’t see that happening but it is worth mentioning.

Indiana Hoosiers (19-12, NET: 59)

Bracketology Average: IN (95.9% of brackets) – 10.24 seed.

Indiana was in relatively safe position with regard to securing an at-large bid heading into its final four regular season games. The issue, though, is that the Hoosiers lost three of those four, pushing them back towards the cutline. Most bracketologists, myself included, still have Indiana relatively safely in the field as its resume is significantly better than the public perception. IU will face Nebraska in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament and that is a must-win game. With a victory over the Cornhuskers, the Hoosiers should be in regardless of their result against Penn State on the following day. Key word: should.

Purdue Boilermakers (16-15, NET: 33)

Bracketology Average: OUT (4.8% of brackets)

Purdue still has awesome metrics but a horrible overall record. That hasn’t changed over the past month. With regard to the Big Ten Tournament, it’s nearly impossible to determine what Purdue needs to do in order to dance. A massive run is mandatory for the 10th-seeded squad. They need to at least make the semifinals to regain at-large consideration, in my opinion. That will mean beating Ohio State and Michigan State and moving to 18-15 before their semifinal game.

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