Bracketology 2024: Latest Bubble Watch of key teams in mid-February
By Joey Loose
Providence (15-9) (NET: 58)
3-6 (Q1), 3-2 (Q2), 0-1 (Q3), 9-0 (Q4)
The Friars picked up a major win against Wisconsin in the opening weeks of the season before adding another Quad 1 win over Marquette in a 15-point win in mid-December. Things haven’t always gone the Friars’ way in conference play, but another nice performance came recently against Creighton.
The stinging Quad 3 loss was against Seton Hall, though that loss could certainly swing back to being Quad 2. Other notable losses include Kansas State in the Bahamas and a rough showing against Xavier in mid-January. Aside from that, it’s been Quad 1 losses for the Friars, whose most recent defeat was last weekend against Butler.
While the Friars certainly have a path to the Big Dance, they’ve had a few chances slip through their fingers this season. After an easy matchup with DePaul this weekend, they’ll have a slew of resume-building opportunities, including road rematches against Xavier and Marquette very soon. Providence needs another notable win or two to get into the field.
Seton Hall (15-9) (NET: 76)
4-5 (Q1), 1-2 (Q2), 2-2 (Q3), 8-0 (Q4)
There wasn’t much to celebrate in nonconference play, but the Pirates have stockpiled four Quad 1 wins against their conference rivals in the Big East. They got off to a 6-1 start to league play with a massive win against UConn followed by nice performance against Providence, Marquette, and Butler.
Those Quad 3 losses came to USC in San Diego and Rutgers in a home game, though a lot of basketball has been played since then. Since that great stretch to start conference play, the Pirates have dropped several games, including a Quad 2 home game against Providence, in what’s been a rougher stretch.
In the last four weeks, the only teams Seton Hall has beaten are DePaul and Georgetown. They obviously cannot limp to the finish after that hot start and have several chances in the coming weeks. They’ll play Xavier, Butler, and Villanova at home and hope for a road upset against St. John’s this upcoming weekend.