Elite programs stuck on the NCAA Tournament bubble
The NCAA Tournament bubble is often populated with groups from small conferences and middle-of-the-pack massive convention faculties.
A pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the faculty basketball season can also be reshaping the curve.
Perennial energy Duke is presently effervescent. So is North Carolina. Kentucky is up to now down it will possibly’t even see the bubble.
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“The season hasn’t gone how we wanted it, but we just try to keep our head down and keep working,” Duke sophomore ahead Matthew Hurt mentioned. “Every day, don’t take a day off, not try to listen to the outside, the social media, what everyone else says but us.”
Duke entered the season with loaded expectations, because it all the time does. The Blue Devils had key holdovers from final 12 months’s workforce and coach Mike Krzyzewski introduced in one other stellar recruiting class.
Duke’s season has principally been a dud up to now.
The Blue Devils are 8-8 and 6-6 in the ACC after beating North Carolina State on Saturday, a win that ended a three-game dropping streak. Duke is No. 66 in the newest NET rankings — up 11 from the earlier rankings — and desires a powerful end to the season to keep away from lacking the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995.
“You’ve just to go to stay with it,” Krzyzewski mentioned. “That’s what our program’s done and see what happens. Just see what happens if you do that.”
North Carolina fell flat with an opportunity at a resume-building win on Saturday, scoring 48 factors in a loss to No. 9 Virginia. The Tar Heels did not have a double-figures scorer for the first time since 1966, are 12-7 general and No. 56 in the NET after going 1-6 in Quadrant 1 video games.
Kentucky, at 6-13 and No. 76 in the NET, will seemingly have to win the SEC event to affix the discipline of 68.
ON THE RISE
Kansas (15-7, 9-5 Big 12). Once a blueblood showing to be in bother, the Jayhawks have reeled off three straight wins. Kansas has some massive potential resume-builders after going through rival Kansas State, with video games in opposition to No. 7 Texas Tech, No. 13 Texas and No. 2 Baylor to shut out the common season.
UConn (9-5, 6-5 Big East). The Huskies picked up a essential win by beating Xavier 80-72 on Saturday with out James Bouknight. UConn is an excellent defensive workforce and if Bouknight is totally wholesome, it may make a run to the discipline of 68.
Rutgers (12-7, 8-7 Big Ten). The Scarlet Knights had been poised to succeed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time 1991 earlier than the season was canceled. Rutgers should still have work to do to finish the streak this season, however has gained 5 of six after beating Northwestern on Saturday.
Oregon (12-4, 7-3 Pac-12). The Ducks had been amongst the favorites to win the Pac-12, however labored via accidents and two COVID-19 pauses. Oregon lastly had its prime 5 scorers on the flooring collectively in a win over Arizona State final week and has gained three straight after beating Arizona in Tucson.
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FADING HOPES
Arizona (14-7, 8-7 Pac-12). The Wildcats received the season off to a strong begin, however the previous couple of weeks have been a battle. Arizona has misplaced three of 4 after a last-minute dwelling loss to Oregon on Saturday, however can enhance its NCAA Tournament hopes with wins in opposition to UCLA and USC this week.
Maryland (10-10, 4-9 Big Ten). The Terps have wins over Rutgers and Wisconsin, however have been inconsistent most of the season. Maryland has misplaced three of 4 and will use a powerful end to get off the bubble.
Drake (19-2, 10-2, Missouri Valley). Less than two weeks in the past, the Bulldogs joined Gonzaga and Baylor as Division I’s solely undefeated groups. Drake then misplaced at Valparaiso and was blown out by No. 22 Loyola Chicago. A win over the Ramblers in the rematch on Sunday was big.
Toledo (16-6, 11-3 MAC). A workforce on the NCAA Tournament cannot actually afford consecutive losses late in the season. The Rockets did simply that in opposition to Ball State and Bowling Green their final two video games.
