By Michael Gross
🔐
Duke
“Near Lock”
UVA, UNC, Clemson
“Good Shape”
Louisville, SMU
“Bubble”
NCST, Cal, Stanford, Virginia Tech, Miami
“Fringe Bubble”
Syracuse
“Near Lock”
Virginia survived a shaky week on the road against Notre Dame and Boston College. However, wins are wins and those wins have them in position to clinch a bid if they can beat Pitt and Syracuse this week.
UNC increased their winning streak to 3 by winning at GT. They also can seal a bid if they win both their games this week. They’ll have to beat Duke in order to do that.
Clemson has moved up to “Near Lock” after beating Pitt at home. Now they head out west to play Stanford and Cal. If they win both, they’ll be a 🔐. If they split they are likely just 1 win away. If they come up empty however, they might drop back down to “Good Shape”.
“Good Shape”
Louisville knocked off Pitt and VT last week, both by double digits. Right now they are in solid position for a bid. If they beat either Duke or SMU this week; that should be enough to move them up. If they win both; they’ll be on the doorstep of a bid. If they lose both however, they might drop to the “Bubble” section.
SMU for the moment is still in solid shape for a bid. However, their metrics are starting to sag a bit. This week they host NCST before traveling to Pitt. If they go 0-2, they are going to drop down. If they split It’ll be TBD on if they stay in this section. If they win; then I think they’ll move up. Crucial week ahead!
“Bubble”
NCST has won 4 in a row and has greatly enhanced their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. A win against either SMU or Virginia Tech would move them up to “Good Shape”.
The Hokies got their one and only shot against Duke at home on Saturday and didn’t really come close. Big game coming this weekend against NCST. They really need this one!
Miami lost at home to Cal and picked up their second bad/questionable loss of the season. For a team without any quality wins; that’s a bad combination. They better win at BC this weekend and look good doing it.
Nice job by Cal on their 3 game road trip. They went 2-1 and got 2 wins over bubble teams. Now they come home to play GT and Clemson. If they win both games; they’ll have a very good chance of making it!
Stanford has lost 4 in a row and is heading in the wrong direction. They’ll have to beat Clemson and GT at home this week to remain viable moving forward.
“Fringe Bubble”
Syracuse has a ton of work to do to make the NCAA Tournament. They get two big opportunities this week against UNC and UVA. They’ll have to win 1 of them to stay alive.
Notre Dame and Wake Forest have fallen off the page in recent days.
