We’ve entered the final month of the college basketball season, so it’s time to check in on the next batch of Bubble teams. Saying the ACC is having a lackluster year could be the understatement of the year. And watching basketball in the SEC is almost as boring as watching SEC football. So where do these southern schools stand?
Punched Ticket Already: ACC – Duke , North Carolina SEC – Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Pretty Much In: ACC – Clemson SEC – Mississippi State, Arkansas
On the Bubble…
Maryland (17-10, 7-5) [ACC] – Fear the Turtle? Maryland had won four in a row, before stumbling and losing two of their last three. However, the Terps won’t see Duke or UNC again and should get to 10 wins in the conference. RPI is good, not great, SOS helps. If Maryland separates from the rest of the ACC, they have a great chance. Verdict: TBD, it seems like the Terps are heading south at the moment, but they have the inside track
Mississippi (18-7, 4-7) [SEC] – Lose two, win one, the Rebels are stuck in a dire pattern right now. Some are already saying the Rebels could be this year’s Clemson, whom they beat earlier in the year. Mississippi is sitting better than others, and they went perfect (14-0) in nonconference play. The Rebs two point loss versus Tennessee is pretty much a win. Verdict: Falling RPI doesn’t kill them, Mississippi becomes the sixth SEC team in
Wake Forest (16-8, 6-5) [ACC] – After the Demon Deacons upset of Duke, they’ve won three straight in the ACC and eclipse the .500 mark in the ACC. Wake didn’t have a marquee win until Sunday, but they also don’t have a bad loss. Strength of Schedule is one weakness; RPI is only sixth best in the conference. Verdict: Next two games could decide their fate. Wake must get to 20 wins to make the Tourney as a ‘feel-good’ story, but tentatively out
Miami, FL (18-7, 5-6) [ACC] – The Hurricanes were ranked in the top 25 at one point in the season, but have been bi-polar since conference play started. Winners now of three in a row, they still have a lot of ground to make up. Miami has respectable wins over Mississippi State, VCU and Providence and now Duke, but that’s not enough. Verdict: The Canes are going to on the outside of the brackets, despite top 30 RPI and SOS
Florida (20-7, 7-5) [SEC] – The Gators’ 12-point home loss to LSU is a ridiculous blemish on the tournament resume. However, the defending National Champs just keep winning. Florida’s RPI is not spectacular, SOS is just plain ugly. Verdict: Already at 20 wins the Gators needs four more to ensure an invite. It’s hard to imagine Florida won’t receive a mercy bid
Kentucky (14-10, 8-3) [SEC] – Ever wonder if Billy Gillispie wishes he’d stayed in Texas? Sure the Wildcats are tied for second-place in the SEC right now, but each of their ten losses seems memorable: Gardner-Webb, UNC, Indiana, UAB, San Diego, Louisville, oh yeah, and Vandy. The Cats last lost (to the Commodores) was the most lopsided SEC loss ever! Kentucky has top 25 SOS, but their RPI is in the low 70s. Verdict: Kentucky must earn the automatic bid, otherwise they’re out.
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