Story by
March Madness bracketology: Latest NCAA tournament bubble predictions
- Story by
- March Madness bracketology: Latest NCAA tournament bubble predictions
This year's NCAA men's tournament bubble leaves much to be desired.
While there are some name brands hovering around an at-large bid, few have compiled the résumé to break out the first-four-out range and into the bracket.
Advertisement
Take the latest USA TODAY Sports stab at bracketology, where teams such as Indiana, Virginia Commonwealth, Cincinnati and California are on the outside looking in despite an unimpressive group in our last four in: UCLA, Santa Clara, Auburn and New Mexico.
The Bruins earned their way back into the field thanks to an impressive home win against current No. 3 seed Nebraska. But UCLA is still a pedestrian 10-10 in games against Quad 1 and Quad 2 competition.
STARTING FIVE: Breaking down the loaded schedule on the final weekend
BUBBLE WATCH: The weekend games with the biggest tournament impact
Santa Clara has just one Quad 1 win, against conference rival St. Mary's, but is 7-1 against Quad 2 teams. New Mexico remains in the bracket despite dropping two of three but it's hold is precarious. And nothing speaks better to this year's flimsy bubble than Auburn earning an at-large spot at 16-14 overall, 2-7 on the road and 4-11 against in Quad 1 games.
Advertisement
But that's still much better than, say, Indiana. The Hoosiers are a miserable 5-12 in Quad 1 and 2 games and lost at home to Northwestern late last month. They do have wins against UCLA, Purdue and Wisconsin, though.
One bubble team to watch is Cincinnati, which seemed to have its tournament hopes extinguished after losing at home to West Virginia on Feb. 5 to fall to 11-12 overall and 3-7 in the Big 12. The Bearcats have since rebounded to take seven of eight, including key wins against Central Florida, Kansas and Brigham Young.
March Madness bracketology: NCAA Tournament projection
March Madness last four in
SMU, Santa Clara, Auburn, New Mexico.
Advertisement
March Madness first four out
Indiana, Virginia Commonwealth, Cincinnati, California.
NCAA tournament bids conference breakdown
Multi-bid leagues: SEC (11), Big Ten (9), ACC (8), Big 12 (8), Big East (3), West Coast (3), Mountain West (2).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness bracket predictions: NCAA Tournament bubble forecast
