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Bubble Watch: Arkansas’ Last Stand vs. Auburn

Bubble Watch: Arkansas’ Last Stand vs. Auburn

College Hoops Drama: Bubble Teams Battle for March Madness

BYU’s Big Win: A Bubble Team Statement

Wow, did you catch BYU’s game? They crushed Kansas! It was a 34-point blowout. Believe it or not, Kansas was once ranked #1. That’s their worst loss ever as a top preseason team. This huge win seriously helps BYU’s tournament chances. Before this game, they were barely in the tournament picture. However, the Cougars aren’t safe yet. Tough games are still ahead for BYU.

UConn and Oklahoma: Wins and Losses on the Road to March

UConn, projected as a No. 9 seed, narrowly avoided a bad loss. They edged out Villanova 66-59, after trailing most of the game. This win was crucial. It stops a potential three-game losing streak if they stumble against St. John’s. Meanwhile, Oklahoma, a No. 10 seed, is struggling. They lost to #1 Florida, making it their fifth straight loss. It gets tougher for the Sooners. Their next four games are against top-25 teams. Then they face Texas, another bubble team.

Must-Watch Wednesday: Double Bubble Action!

Cincinnati at West Virginia (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Get ready for a “double-bubble” showdown! West Virginia is desperate for a win. Cincinnati needs this win badly too. Their best win so far? It was against BYU at home. But that’s their only win against a tournament contender. More chances are coming for Cincinnati, but wins now are critical. West Virginia has struggled lately, losing six of their last eight. They’ve fallen close to the bubble’s edge. They have some good wins but are .500 against top-tier teams.

Bubble Teams in Action Today

VCU vs. Massachusetts (6 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)

VCU’s situation is clear: win or go home. They must win all remaining games. Then they can only hope for a tournament bid. They can’t afford any more losses to stay in contention.

Nebraska at Penn State (6:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network)

Nebraska is heating up at the right time. They’ve won four of their last five games. Their schedule is also favorable for finishing Big Ten play. Luckily, three of their last four are at home. A game against Michigan is coming up soon. That game could significantly boost their tournament hopes.

Vanderbilt at Kentucky (7 p.m. ET, SEC Network)

Similar to other SEC bubble teams, Vanderbilt is fighting hard. They are battling a tough schedule. The Commodores have lost four of their last five. Their next three games are against top conference teams. On the bright side, Vandy will host at least two of these games. They’ve secured their best wins at home.

North Carolina vs. NC State (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)

For North Carolina, every game is a must-win. Only the season finale against Duke can truly help their tournament resume. Any other loss would seriously hurt their chances. They are walking a tightrope.

SMU at Notre Dame (7 p.m. ET, ACC Network)

SMU is searching for quality wins. Sadly, a win against Notre Dame won’t be enough. They missed a big opportunity against Wake Forest recently. Clemson is next, but a loss here could make that game pointless.

Key Games to Watch Tonight

Gonzaga at Washington State (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Gonzaga’s ranking is interesting. Predictive metrics rank them high, in the top 15. However, resume-based rankings place them in the mid-40s. Their resume matches their resume metrics. A loss to Washington State would hurt their standing even more.

Arkansas at Auburn (9 p.m. ET, ESPN)

A win at Auburn would be massive for Arkansas. But they aren’t desperate for it. They actually have a favorable schedule compared to other SEC bubble teams. Three of their last five are home games. One road game is against South Carolina.

Boise State vs. New Mexico (10 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network)

Boise State has some good wins against St. Mary’s and Clemson. Still, they have a poor record against strong teams. Plus, a bad loss to Boston College hurts. They have two home games left. This game and Utah State are chances for quality wins before the Mountain West Tournament. If they don’t win these, they might need to win the conference tournament.

Tournament Picture: Teams on the Edge and Locks

Bubble Teams: Teams are fighting for those last spots!

NCAA Tournament Locks: These teams are in for sure. (Based on resume)