With the NCAA Tournament only weeks away, The Gaming Juice’s resident Bracket Big Board steward will occasionally break down teams living in Bubbleville, discussing their standing and what’s needed to escape the sweat on Selection Sunday.
Indiana Hoosiers
| Record | 18-13 |
| NET | 37 |
| SOS | 38 |
| Quad 1 | 2-11 |
| Big Board | Last 4 IN |
Chance to make the NCAA Tournament (from BartTorvik): 52%
Bid stealers are lurking. And for Indiana, they're Public Enemy No. 1.
Indiana's resume is undeniable flavorless. In dire need of seasoning, its bland "accomplishments" leaves even the most voracious bracketologist unsatisfied. The Crimson and Cream are a hideous 2-11 in Quad 1 action, rank No. 46 in Wins Above Bubble and played a relatively soft non-conference slate (No. 226 non-con SOS). When their team sheet slides across laptop screens inside the Selection Committee room, faces are sure to scrunch. The profile is queasy.
Lamar Wilkerson, who's averaged 21.0 points per game, continues to get buckets, but the supporting cast around the senior has largely proven unreliable -- especially of late. IU has dropped five of its last six games, checking in at a painfully average No. 58 overall on BartTorvik in games played since February 1. Most appalling, it's No. 270 in effective field-goal percentage D during the stretch. Putrid.
Because the bubble -- as it usually is -- features other sickly schools, it's possible Indiana survives the syndrome. Two wins in the Big Ten Tournament -- at least one of those qualifying as a Quad 1 -- is a likely necessity. Fall in its BTT opener and its curtains. Win only one game and an extra layer of Old Spice will be needed on Selection Sunday.
Can Curt Cignetti just call the shots, Darian DeVries?
What's needed: Multiple Big Ten Tournament wins and help elsehwere
SMU Mustangs
| Record | 19-12 |
| NET | 38 |
| SOS | 59 |
| Quad 1 | 4-9 |
| Big Board | Last 4 IN |
Chance to make the NCAA Tournament (from BartTorvik): 47%
The Mustangs have at least one hoof in the Purina factory.
Andy Enfield's downtrodden group is sliding at the most inopportune time, losing four-straight contests. The sharp regression now has SMU -- once a team firmly IN the field a single-digit seed -- looking likely to land in Dayton. Yes, it has four Quad 1 victories, but with only one of the Quad 1a variety (Louisville), it's resume is rather meatless. Its negative Wins Above Bubble (-0.09. No. 49 overall) further complicate matters.
At No. 83 in total efficiency according to BartTorvik over the last month, the 'Stangs are falling down an empty elevator shaft. Boopie Miller and Jermaine O'Neal makeup a plus backcourt. Their efforts explain why SMU has averaged an explosive 1.231 points per possession in its last eight games. However, downright terrible defensively over the last month (No. 295 in eFG% D), the ACC reps have given up an inexcusable 40.9% from three.
Among fellow First Four projected participants (VCU, Indiana and Santa Clara) they're full body of work is more measurable. Despite the recent struggles, SMU should secure an at-large spot on Selection Sunday. However, the No. 11 seed in the ACC Tournament cannot crash and burn in its opening matchup versus Syracuse. Stumble and it's sure to pit out watching the Big Dance reveal.
What's needed: 1-2 ACC Tournament wins
VCU Rams
| Record | 24-7 |
| NET | 44 |
| SOS | 97 |
| Quad 1 | 2-5 |
| Big Board | Last 4 IN |
Chance to make the NCAA Tournament (from BartTorvik): 66%
The stars have aligned for the Commonwealth.
In a galaxy far, far away only weeks ago, VCU played itself off the bubble and then comfortably IN the NCAA Tournament projected field. It's road triumph over Dayton, a contest that qualified as a Quad 1, rocketed it into the Dance.
Without a bad loss to speak of -- it ranks a healthy No. 42 in Wins Above Bubble and a decent 5-7 in Quad 1/Quad 2 games -- the Rams will likely run to a First Four matchup in Dayton. BartTorvik gives them a sizable chance of having their name called on Selection Sunday.
Phil Martelli Jr. has done a marvelous job navigating his team through the highly competitive Atlantic 10 -- a league that has a chance to produce three NCAA Tournament teams (Saint Louis, VCU and auto?). Excellent defensively (No. 59 eFG% D last 30 days) and physical in its offensive nature, VCU relentlessly challenges perimeter shots and makes opponents pay at the charity stripe. Its depth, D and Terrance Hill's strong guard play shouldn't be discounted.
What's needed: 1-2 wins in the A-10 Tournament