The bubble scene in college basketball faced a significant test this past Tuesday, with ten out of eleven teams playing on the road. The lone home squad? They hosted a double bubble game and managed to emerge victorious, showcasing resilience amidst a challenging landscape. In total, seven of those bubble teams secured wins, giving hope to some desperate programs.
Let’s first give a nod to Texas. After a rough stretch, dropping six of their last seven games, the Longhorns revived their postseason aspirations with an exciting 87-82 overtime victory against Mississippi State. This performance has them back in the conversation, though let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. While this win nudges them back toward the bubble, entering the bracket will require more than just last night’s excitement. The Longhorns still need a solid finish against Oklahoma in their regular-season finale to keep the dream alive for the conference tournament.
Unfortunately for several teams, the night wasn’t as kind. Indiana fell in a must-see matchup against Oregon, and Nebraska suffered a loss to Ohio State—part of the double bubble showdown. But the toughest loss of the night belonged to San Diego State, who lost to UNLV. This defeat marked a season sweep for the Runnin’ Rebels over the Aztecs, and it doesn’t help that these losses came in Quad 2 and 3. Such setbacks are heavy burdens on an otherwise respectable NCAA Tournament résumé.
On a brighter note, Arkansas snagged a crucial win at Vanderbilt, keeping their postseason hopes alive. The Commodores have proven to be a formidable opponent at home, making the victory all the more impressive. There’s still work to do, though, as they prepare to face Mississippi State at home to wrap up the regular season.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, the spotlight shifts to Cincinnati, where both Xavier and Cincinnati are gearing up for important bubble matchups. As is tradition during these tense times, an SEC clash adds to the excitement, with Oklahoma hosting Missouri in a game that could shake up their standings.
Let’s break it down for the bubble teams on Wednesday:
Cincinnati vs. Kansas State, 7 p.m. | ESPN+
The Bearcats face a steep hill, sitting at just 1-10 in Quad 1 games. That’s akin to the struggles we’ve seen from North Carolina lately. Cincinnati must find a way to keep winning, as they have no more Quad 1 opportunities before the Big 12 Tournament. Their hopes hinge on maintaining momentum to ensure the conference tournament remains a pivotal stage for them.
Xavier at Butler, 7 p.m. | CBS Sports Network
The Musketeers are also feeling the pressure, sitting at 1-9 against Quad 1 teams, with their sole victory coming at Marquette. Winning against Butler is critical, but they’re going to need more than just wins over lesser-ranked teams if they hope to boost their tournament résumé before the conference tournament arrives.
Oklahoma vs. Missouri, 8 p.m. | ESPN+
The Sooners find themselves in familiar territory, battling through a challenging SEC season and feeling the weight of a quad three loss at home to LSU. A win against Missouri would not only provide a much-needed boost but also keep their chances alive as they head into the SEC Tournament.
As we stand on the edge of March Madness, the tension is palpable. Here’s how the teams near the cut line currently stand:
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)
As we look ahead to the NCAA Tournament, the numbers indicate a brisk competition. Currently, 28 teams are locks based on their résumés, with nine at-large bids still in play, leaving teams scrambling for those coveted spots as they head into their final regular-season games and conference tournaments. The stage is set, and the stakes have never been higher.
