Which NCAA teams are struggling to make the tournament?

Many teams from high-major conferences are struggling, posting losing records last week and facing surprising defeats, impacting their chances for at-large bids.

What is the current status of the NCAA men's selection committee?

The selection committee is facing difficulties due to the poor performance of many bubble teams, potentially leading to a field with more mediocre power conference teams.

How are mid-major teams affected by the bubble situation?

Mid-major teams like New Mexico, San Diego State, and Santa Clara have fewer opportunities to impress the committee as February progresses.

Home / Sports / NCAA Bubble Bursts: Top Teams Stumble

NCAA Bubble Bursts: Top Teams Stumble

3 Feb

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Summary

Many top conference teams have struggled recently.
Bubble teams' records are concerning heading into February.
Mid-major teams have fewer chances to impress committees.

As of February 3, 2026, many teams vying for a spot in the NCAA men's tournament are struggling, creating significant headaches for the selection committee. Last week, a combined record of 16-18 for teams on the bubble from high-major conferences paints a concerning picture.

Even excluding strong performances from Indiana, NC State, and Seton Hall, the remaining teams went 10-18. These losses include notable upsets like TCU losing at Colorado and LSU getting blown out at home by Mississippi State. Creighton, Baylor, and Stanford also suffered defeats to teams with weaker records.

Miami (Fla.), recently falling out of the projected bracket, highlights the bubble's difficulty, as the team lacks significant wins against projected tournament teams, with Bethune-Cookman being a notable exception.