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Bracketology 2023: 8 teams in danger of sliding out of NCAA Tournament

By Tristan Freeman

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell looked on as his Tigers took on the Louisville Cardinals at the KFC Yum Center Saturday evening. Louisville defeated Clemson, 83-73 for their fourth win of the season. Feb. 18, 2023Jf Ul Aj6t6458
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell looked on as his Tigers took on the Louisville Cardinals at the KFC Yum Center Saturday evening. Louisville defeated Clemson, 83-73 for their fourth win of the season. Feb. 18, 2023Jf Ul Aj6t6458 /
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Bracketology
Bracketology Oklahoma Sooners guard Grant Sherfield (25) talks with head coach Porter Moser Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma Sooners

After this week, the chances of all 10 programs in the Big 12 making the NCAA Tournament are slim, but they aren’t zero. Texas Tech got a pair of Quad 1 wins, while Oklahoma State is borderline safe. West Virginia is firmly on the bubble after losing to the Red Raiders but they’re in the mix. The team that’s in last is Oklahoma, who are now under .500 on the season.

The Sooners started out 2-3 in league play, which is actually a good thing considering how strong the Big 12 is overall. But since then, they’ve lost 7 of 9 games in league play. The latest was on the road at Texas, a game in which they were leading but couldn’t hold on in regulation, ultimately losing in overtime and missing out on a signature win.

A 3-11 record against Quad 1 opponents (7-14 vs Quad 1/2) is a rough number and the NET ranking is in the 60s. However, the saving grace for them, if they make the NCAA Tournament, will be that shocking 93-69 win over Alabama in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Crimson Tide is the No. 1 overall seed in Bracketology so it’s literally the best win you can get.

But Oklahoma will not get an at-large bid if they remain under .500 and no one in the history of the Big Dance had gotten a bid with more than 16 losses. The Sooners are already at 14 with road games against Iowa State and Kansas State to come. Unless they go 3-1 to end the regular season, they likely won’t get in.

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