Bracketology 2023: 10 teams that MUST win on Thursday to avoid NIT

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 22: Armando Bacot #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels high fives teammates against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on February 22, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Life on the bubble is never fun for teams, especially when you’re just days away from Selection Sunday. But when it comes to Bracketology, it’s now or never for some of these programs. After Wednesday’s results only Wisconsin (maybe Arizona State) was a bubble team that lost and will have to wait anxiously for a few days now.

Thursday is a huge day for the bubble, with many teams needing to win in order to avoid being nervous on Selection Sunday. Here are a few honorable mentions that are probably safe but may need to win just to feel really good and also avoid a “First Four” game in Dayton.

Pittsburgh Panthers – vs Duke

After beating Georgia Tech in a closer-than-expected matchup, Pittsburgh has 22 total wins and avoided a Quad 3 loss. It “should” have them in the field but their metrics still aren’t great and it’s the kind of resume that the committee could easily just throw into the “Last 4 in”. They can avoid all of that with a Quad 1 win in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals against Duke, which would easily propel them into the safe zone of any bubble.

Oklahoma State Cowboys – vs Texas

Beating Texas Tech got the Cowboys to 18-14 on the season but barring a shocking run to win the Big 12 Tournament, will end up with 15 losses on Selection Sunday. They have enough to be in the NCAA Tournament but a win over Texas would easily solidify it. Meanwhile, a loss could have them in Dayton.

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