Wake Forest (18-7) (NET: 67)
1-6 (Q1), 5-0 (Q2), 6-1 (Q3), 6-0 (Q4)
We’re in a rough stretch for the ACC as a whole, meaning a program like Wake Forest can take advantage and get themselves into the Big Dance. It’s hard to say they’ve necessarily been taking advantage, though these Demon Deacons are in much better position now than a month or two ago.
Unfortunately, their win over Michigan on the season’s first weekend remains their only Quad 1 win. Their NET figure isn’t exactly amazing, though they’ve added a slew of Quad 2 wins in recent weeks, knocking off North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Stanford in league play.
The resume was in decent shape before this week when Wake Forest got a rough Quad 3 loss at home to Florida State. Aside from that there weren’t any bad marks on this resume but they can’t say that any longer.
Two Quad 1 games remain on the schedule and include this weekend at SMU and early March at Duke. Few expect the Demon Deacons to upset the Blue Devils, meaning a win at SMU would really help bolster this resume. Wake Forest’s chances took a major hit this week but can they still be salvaged?
Xavier (15-10) (NET: 54)
1-8 (Q1), 6-2 (Q2), 1-0 (Q3), 7-0 (Q4)
The Musketeers starting on the right foot in nonconference play with a 6-0 start but have lost a ton of games against stronger teams this season. This is another team that’s probably on the outside if the Selection Committee did their work right now, though there’s still time for Sean Miller and company.
They got a big win that they needed with an upset win at Marquette in January, a contest that remains their only Quad 1 win this season. Among the Quad 2 victories, some of the standout efforts include that late January win over UConn and a nice effort against Villanova a few weeks earlier.
The worst losses are the Quad 2 games at Georgetown and TCU though neither is abysmal by any means. The problem for the Musketeers is that this team hasn’t been consistent and has dropped a ton of opportunities, with close losses to Cincinnati and Marquette in particular in those Quad 1 games.
Xavier’s record, NET, and overall metrics could use serious work, though they aren’t afford the opportunities they need. They’re done with three of the top teams in the Big East, and their only Quad 2 games left are against Creighton and Butler. The Musketeers must simply win the games they’re supposed to win in the next three weeks.