By Michael Gross

🔐 

Nebraska, Michigan, Mich St., Illinois, Purdue

“Near Lock”

Wisconsin 

“Good Shape”

USC

“Bubble”

Iowa, UCLA, Ohio St., Indiana 

“Fringe Bubble”

“Near Lock”

          Wisconsin knocked off Illinois in Champaign on Tuesday. The Badgers only have 2 Q1 wins, but they sure are massive ones. They own road wins over Michigan and Illinois. If they beat either Michigan St. tomorrow or Ohio St. next Tuesday; this team is almost certainly dancing. If they win both games, there’s no question!

“Good Shape”

          USC slipped past Penn St. this past weekend before falling to Ohio St. in a close game. USC’s 9-7 Q1/2 record looks pretty nice. However, it is concerning that their resume metrics are still in the mid 30s and their predictives are around 50. A win over Illinois next Wednesday would really help their cause.

“Bubble”

         Iowa’s resume took a hit last night. They don’t have many quality wins. Their best wins are Indiana, USC and UCLA. The best thing you could say was they didn’t have any bad losses. After losing to Maryland that is no longer true. So they dropped to the “Bubble” Section. They can move back up if they can beat Purdue or Nebraska at home in their next 2 games.

         Indiana got passed Wisconsin and Oregon to keep their hopes alive. They are now 4-8 in Q1/2 games. It’s hard to ask them to win at Illinois or at Purdue in their next 2 games, but if they don’t they’ll be 4-10 in Q1/2 games.

         UCLA has won 7 of their last 9 games and are in a decent spot to make the NCAA Tournament. Now they travel to Michigan to take on Michigan and Michigan St. If they win either one, it’s hard to see them missing the NCAA Tournament.

       Ohio St. defeated USC in a game they had to have. Next they play Virginia in Nashville and the Wisconsin at home. They must win 1 of those 2 games, or it’s hard to see them making it.

       Washington has fallen off the page. They would have to win out to have a chance and they don’t seem capable of doing that.