Indiana and North Carolina, both storied college basketball programs, are facing uncertainty regarding their chances of securing spots in the NCAA Tournament as the week progresses.
Mike Woodson’s Hoosiers, currently ranked No. 65 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET), are struggling, having dropped five out of their last six games. They are set to take on No. 21 Wisconsin on Tuesday before hosting No. 24 Michigan on Saturday. With a disappointing record of 2-8 in quadrant 1 matchups, their prospects for a postseason bid look grim.
On the other hand, Hubert Davis’ Tar Heels sit at No. 45 in NET rankings and have also suffered lately, losing four out of five games. Their performance in quad 1 matchups stands at a dismal 1-9, leaving them with limited opportunities to enhance their standing. Their next games include a home match against Pittsburgh on Saturday and a visit to Clemson next Monday, which may prove crucial for their tournament aspirations.
As the bubble watch continues, several key games could impact teams fighting for tournament inclusion. No. 22 Mississippi State is set to face Georgia on Saturday, where Georgia currently sits at No. 34 NET but has been struggling, losing five of its last six since breaking into the AP Top 25 for the first time in 14 years.
Wake Forest will face Stanford on Wednesday, providing an opportunity for the Demon Deacons, who are ranked No. 69 in NET, to gain a much-needed quad 1 win. The Cardinal are slightly ahead in the rankings at No. 72, positioning this matchup as a critical one for both teams.
Additionally, VCU will visit Dayton on Friday for what could be a pivotal game for the Rams, who are currently ranked No. 43 in NET. This encounter would serve as only their second quad 1 opportunity after falling to New Mexico back in December.
Ratings continue to highlight key programs on the radar. The Arizona State Sun Devils, with a NET ranking of No. 58, have only managed to appear in 24 of 91 projected brackets recently. However, they have important games lined up against formidable opponents like No. 5 Houston, No. 13 Texas Tech, and No. 20 Arizona.
Meanwhile, SMU stands 41st in the NET as they navigate their inaugural season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Mustangs are facing challenges with an 0-3 record in quad 1 games, but they still have two significant matchups against Clemson and Stanford ahead, which could alter their tournament outlook.
This dynamic landscape leading up to the NCAA Tournament will keep fans and analysts scrutinizing the performances of these teams in the coming weeks.
