Busting Brackets
Fansided

Bracketology 2023: Complete Bubble Watch before final weekend of regular season

By Joey Loose

Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) fouls Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi (11) during the first half of their game Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.Uwmen18 11
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) fouls Rutgers center Clifford Omoruyi (11) during the first half of their game Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.Uwmen18 11 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
19 of 25
Next
Pittsburgh Panthers forward Blake Hinson Bracketology Pittsburgh Panthers Vs Syracuse Orange Mens Basketball
Pittsburgh Panthers forward Blake Hinson Bracketology Pittsburgh Panthers Vs Syracuse Orange Mens Basketball /

Pittsburgh: 21-9 (14-5 in ACC) NET: 55

Yes, we’re actually looking at a situation where Pittsburgh, picked to finish 14th in the ACC, could not only tie for the regular season title but be in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers are an impressive 4-3 in Quad 1 games and have been one of the teams to take advantage of a weak year from their league. They’ve swept North Carolina, blew out Northwestern on the road, and have wins over Duke, Virginia, and NC State, the other likely Tournament contenders in the league.

The good hasn’t come without the bad, highlighted by a Quad 4 home loss to Florida State back in January. They were also blown out early in the year by both Michigan and West Virginia, and losing big to fellow bubble teams isn’t great currency this time of year. Throw in Wednesday’s loss at Notre Dame and the Panthers might be flirting with disaster. The big wins are nice, but are they enough for the Panthers?

Saturday’s season finale is a very tough one at Miami, and it’s very likely that Pittsburgh does not win this game. If they upset the Hurricanes, then Pittsburgh is in the NCAA Tournament with no questions asked. If they lose, they might need a good showing at the ACC Tournament to secure their place. We’re not saying they have to win the whole thing, but they cannot be upset early by one of the weaker teams in the league. Expect Pittsburgh to dance, but the drama isn’t over yet.

Home/Bracketology