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Bracketology Battle: Who's In, Who's Out for March Madness?
11 Feb
Summary
- Team resumes hinge on beating expected opponents.
- Head-to-head wins are crucial for bubble teams.
- Mid-major teams must achieve near perfection for bids.

The NCAA Tournament bubble is a dynamic landscape where team fortunes can change quickly. Iowa State, for example, found itself off the bubble and then back on it after a recent loss to BYU.
Villanova has a strong foundation by consistently beating lower-ranked teams, holding a perfect record against Quad 4 opponents and only one loss in Quad 3 games. This, combined with key wins, currently places them in the field with a bye.
Syracuse benefits from head-to-head victories against fellow bubble teams, improving their standing. Their remaining schedule offers opportunities to solidify their position, with wins against Clemson and Notre Dame potentially securing a bye.
Richmond exemplifies the bubble's volatility, moving from the 'first four out' to a bye position. For mid-major teams, maintaining a high win percentage is critical for March Madness consideration, and Richmond's recent win boosted their resume.
The Colorado Buffaloes present a mixed resume with significant wins against notable opponents, offset by several losses. The committee's decision may weigh recent strong performances more heavily.
Kansas remains on the bubble despite a 14-11 record, aided by their NET ranking and strength of schedule. However, a recent close loss to Texas Tech has hindered their chances.
South Dakota State and Fairfield, both with challenging non-conference schedules, face difficulties due to conference strength and a lack of signature wins. Their paths to the tournament appear increasingly narrow.




