It was a night filled with highs and lows on the bubble as ten of the eleven teams were out on the road, showcasing just how challenging this time of year can be. Amidst the chaos, the Texas Longhorns made a statement and made their way back into the conversation.
After a disheartening stretch that saw them lose six of their last seven games, the Longhorns revived their postseason hopes with an 87-82 overtime victory against Mississippi State. Texas showed resilience, reminding fans that they’re not ready to pack it in just yet. However, let’s temper expectations—being out of the bottom of the bubble and into contention doesn’t equate to a guaranteed spot in the bracket. The Longhorns will need to secure a win against Oklahoma in their regular-season finale if they want to ensure their presence in the conference tournament is meaningful.
On the flip side, some bubble teams faced setbacks. The only losses among them came from Indiana’s visit to Oregon, Nebraska’s defeat at Ohio State during their double-header, and perhaps the hardest blow, San Diego State’s loss at UNLV. This defeat not only sealed a regular-season sweep for the Runnin’ Rebels over the Aztecs but also inserted an unwelcome anchor into an otherwise respectable NCAA Tournament resume.
Arkansas managed to keep its hopes alive with a crucial win at Vanderbilt, a tough opponent on their own floor this season. This victory allows the Razorbacks to linger in the mix, but they too must keep their focus as they host Mississippi State to cap the regular season.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, the spotlight shifts to Cincinnati, where both Xavier and Cincinnati will fight to bolster their standings. In a nod to the bubble excitement, the SEC serves up its own critical contest as Oklahoma takes on Missouri, hoping to secure a coveted quality win.
Here’s the lineup for the bubble teams playing on Wednesday:
Cincinnati vs. Kansas State, 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Cincinnati has struggled mightily in Quad 1 games, posting a grim 1-10 record that parallels North Carolina’s recent woes. It’s a rough road ahead with no more Quad 1 opportunities before the Big 12 Tournament. The Bearcats need victories to ensure they remain relevant when conference play heats up.
Xavier at Butler, 7 p.m. | CBS Sports Network
Like their crosstown rivals, Xavier is in desperate need of some high-profile wins. With only one victory against Quad 1 teams, which came at Marquette, the Musketeers must look to conference play for a shot at padding their resume.
Oklahoma vs. Missouri, 8 p.m. | ESPN+
The Sooners find themselves in a tough stretch, saddled with quite a few losses within Quad 1. Unlike many, they also hold a Quad 3 loss at home against LSU. A win against Missouri could provide a much-needed boost, but there’s still work to be done as they aim for the SEC Tournament.
Teams Near the Cut Line:
First Four Out
- Xavier: 19-10 (NET 49)
- North Carolina: 20-11 (NET 38)
- Nebraska: 17-13 (NET 57)
- Wake Forest: 20-10 (NET 70)
Next Four Out
- Texas: 17-13 (NET 41)
- Cincinnati: 17-12 (NET 42)
- SMU: 22-8 (NET 46)
- Dayton: 20-9 (NET 68)
NCAA Tournament Locks:
Locks based on resume: 28 | At-large bids in play: 9 | Automatic bids secured: 0 of 31, featuring three from the ACC (Duke, Clemson, Louisville), two from the Big East (Marquette, St. John’s), and five from the Big 12 (Arizona, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas Tech). The Big Ten dominates with eight teams (Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA, Wisconsin, Illinois), and the WCC has one lock in Saint Mary’s.
As we dive deeper into conference tournaments, stakes are only getting higher. The impending matchups will shape the narratives of these teams and could very well determine who gets a shot at the big dance. Stay tuned—every game counts in this exhilarating chase for the NCAA Tournament!
