Sunday Bubble Watch

Yesterday was packed with bubble action with some clinching big wins while others watched their hopes crumble before their eyes.

Rutgers managed to secure an OT victory at Purdue by a score of 71-68. This result all but guarantees them a spot in the tournament, while the Boilermakers will need to find some wins in the Big 10 Tournament. Sticking with the losers for a second, Texas got run off their home floor with an abysmal scoreline of 81-59. They’re far from out, but also not comfortable right about now. Rounding out the losers are Arkansas, who are looking for the auto-bid now, and Stanford who couldn’t quite get it done away to Oregon, but still sit in a fairly comfortable position.

UC won, just.

Moving swiftly on to Utah State who won the Mountain West in dramatic fashion over San Diego State. Sam Merrill once again delivered and hit the game-winning shot before the Aztecs half-court heave rimmed out. The Aggies have punched their ticket and stolen a bid, but now we must look ahead to a new day on the bubble.

Whichita State (11) vs Tulsa, 4pm, CBSSN

The Shockers need big wins to stay in the hunt. While this will not be a marquee win, it will help to strengthen a pretty weak resume. A loss wouldn’t torpedo the season but certainly wouldn’t do them any favors.

Winthrop vs Hampton, 1pm, ESPN

This is far from a bubble match up, but it is a conference tournament final, so I figured I’d drop it a mention. Kenpom gives Winthrop a 91% chance of becoming Big South champions and favors them by 14 points, but this is March, and anything can happen.

We are officially seven days away from Selection Sunday, but there is still a lot of ball to played, hearts to be broken and memories to be made before we get there.