We’re around the Christmas and holiday break, which tends to be the time when teams suffer setbacks and surprising losses. When it comes to Bracketology, that can be fatal for one’s resumes. That proved to be the case this past week, even though there weren’t as many games.
Here’s a look at four programs that greatly damaged their postseason hopes.
Kansas State Wildcats
Although it was at home, losing to unbeaten Drake in overtime is somewhat understandable. But losing by 19 points at rival Wichita State is another bad loss, joining the previous Liberty setback. The best win they have entering Big 12 play is George Washington, and that simply won’t be enough.
Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
The 9-2 overall record is less impressive when you look at the opponents they faced, with a win over Princeton the best they have. So a potential Quad 4 loss to Oakland in the Diamond Head Classic is disastrous for any at-large hopes they may have entering A-10 play. Add the piling of the team's injuries is in very rough shape.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Knights had a thrilling finish against Princeton, but it didn’t go their way, losing 83-82. A loss to the Tigers won’t be declared a “bad loss,” but the team is now 7-5 and, assuming they beat Columbia to end the non-con, will likely need to go at least 11-9 in Big Ten play to have a shot at an at-large bid. Beating Princeton would’ve at least given them some breathing room.
UC Irvine Anteaters
The Anteaters' best win was over Belmont, but incredible metrics gave them a slim shot at an at-large bid, assuming they dominated the Big West in league play. But all of that can be thrown out the window as they lost by 16 points on the road at Duquesne, a Quad 3 defeat. After that, there’s no shot Irvine has at an at-large bid.