Feb. 25--The last few weeks of the regular season are vitally important to bubble teams.
Here's a look at some teams that are working to get into the NCAA tournament.
Syracuse 18-10 overall, 8-7 ACC, 56 RPI, 43 SOS
Getting swept by a bubble team like Pittsburgh isn't helpful to the Orange's cause. But Syracuse has five victories against top-50 programs, including at Duke and on neutral courts against Texas A and Connecticut.
Prediction: In
George Washington: 21-7, 10-5 Atlantic-10, 48 RPI, 105 SOS
Those victories against Virginia and Seton Hall look good for the Colonials. But ugly losses to DePaul, Saint Louis and Richmond work against them. They have some work to do to convince the selection committee.
Prediction: Out
Oregon State: (16-10, 7-8 Pac-12, 31 RPI, 1 SOS)
What is tournament-worthy about a 16-win team? Usually nothing. But the Beavers are an interesting case. They earned six victories against top-50 teams, which is more than most bubble teams can say. They have three regular-season games remaining, including road games against USC and UCLA, to help bolster their record.
Prediction: In
VCU: 20-8, 12-3 Atlantic-10, 63 RPI, 89 SOS
The Rams have two horrific losses this month, falling to Massachusetts (174 RPI) and George Mason (176 RPI). Their two top-50 victories aren't overly impressive (beating St. Joseph's and St. Bonaventure).
Prediction: Out
Top four seeds: Kansas 24-4, 12-3 Big 12, 1 RPI, 5 SOS; Villanova 24-4, 13-2 Big East, 2 RPI, 8 SOS; Xavier 25-3, 13-3 Big East, 3 RPI, 32 SOS; Oklahoma 22-5, 10-5 Big 12, 4 RPI, 11 SOS.
