2015 NCAA Tournament: 10 Teams That Will Be Sweating It Out On Selection Sunday

2015 NCAA Tournament: 10 Teams That Will Be Sweating It Out On Selection Sunday

By Ed Morgans

March 12, 2015

10 Teams That Will Have A Tense Selection Sunday

Cover — It seems like more than in recent years, this season's crop of NCAA Tournament bubble teams is a wide array of programs -- from the well known and blue bloods like UCLA and Indiana, to those in lower leagues that failed in their conference tourneys and are now hoping for a miracle, like Murray State. Here are 10 teams that will be sweating out Selection Sunday.

It seems like more than in recent years, this season's crop of NCAA Tournament bubble teams is a wide array of programs -- from the well known and blue bloods like UCLA and Indiana, to those in lower leagues that failed in their conference tourneys and are now hoping for a miracle, like Murray State. Here are 10 teams that will be sweating out Selection Sunday.

10. Xavier (19-12, 9-9 Big East)

10. Xavier (19-12, 9-9 Big East)

The Musketeers finished at .500 and in sixth place in a Big East Conference that has been regarded for much of the season as the second-best in all of college basketball. On the plus side, Xavier went 4-2 against ranked teams this season, though they were handled in two chances to knock off top-six team Villanova. The Musketeers have another big game tonight in Big East quarters against No. 22 Butler and probably need a win.

The Musketeers finished at .500 and in sixth place in a Big East Conference that has been regarded for much of the season as the second-best in all of college basketball. On the plus side, Xavier went 4-2 against ranked teams this season, though they were handled in two chances to knock off top-six team Villanova. The Musketeers have another big game tonight in Big East quarters against No. 22 Butler and probably need a win.

9. Purdue (20-11, 12-6 Big 10)

Boiler

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9. Purdue (20-11, 12-6 Big 10)

Boiler — When you look at just the record and you realize that the Boilermakers finished the regular season in a three-way tie for third in the Big 10, you wouldn't think Purdue would have any bubble concerns. especially since the Boilermakers won five of their last seven games. But Purdue lost at Vanderbilt by 10 and at home to Gardner-Webb by five.

When you look at just the record and you realize that the Boilermakers finished the regular season in a three-way tie for third in the Big 10, you wouldn't think Purdue would have any bubble concerns. especially since the Boilermakers won five of their last seven games. But Purdue lost at Vanderbilt by 10 and at home to Gardner-Webb by five.

8. Murray State (27-5, 16-0 OVC)

Murray

8. Murray State (27-5, 16-0 OVC)

Murray — If you wanted to argue that any team that goes through its regular-season conference schedule unbeaten should be in the FIeld of 68, I wouldn't argue with you. Murray State fell by a point to Belmont in the OVC final, played on the Racers' home floor. That's not terrible -- Belmont is 22-10. The Racers, however, didn't play a ranked opponent this season, and lost to Houston, Portland and Valparaiso.

If you wanted to argue that any team that goes through its regular-season conference schedule unbeaten should be in the FIeld of 68, I wouldn't argue with you. Murray State fell by a point to Belmont in the OVC final, played on the Racers' home floor. That's not terrible -- Belmont is 22-10. The Racers, however, didn't play a ranked opponent this season, and lost to Houston, Portland and Valparaiso.

7. Oklahoma State (18-12, 8-10 Big 12)

Okie

7. Oklahoma State (18-12, 8-10 Big 12)

Okie — Working for the Cowboys is the fact they finished tied for fifth in the Big 12, generally thought of as the nation's best conference, even if it was won by Kansas for like the 334th straight time. But the Cowboys went 8-10 in the league, have a non-conference loss at South Carolina and a 4-8 record against ranked teams. However, with Texas (also 8-10 in the league) on the bubble, it's worth noting OSU beat the Longhorns twice this season.

Working for the Cowboys is the fact they finished tied for fifth in the Big 12, generally thought of as the nation's best conference, even if it was won by Kansas for like the 334th straight time. But the Cowboys went 8-10 in the league, have a non-conference loss at South Carolina and a 4-8 record against ranked teams. However, with Texas (also 8-10 in the league) on the bubble, it's worth noting OSU beat the Longhorns twice this season.

6. Miami (21-11, 10-8 ACC)

Miami

6. Miami (21-11, 10-8 ACC)

Miami — The Hurricanes almost kissed the bubble goodbye, finally pulling away from pesky Virginia Tech in an ACC Tournament second-round game in Greensboro last night. The 59-49 win should help Miami just a bit, but defeating No. 11 Notre Dame tonight to reach the semifinals would be the victory the Hurricanes need to ease any fears come Selection Sunday.

The Hurricanes almost kissed the bubble goodbye, finally pulling away from pesky Virginia Tech in an ACC Tournament second-round game in Greensboro last night. The 59-49 win should help Miami just a bit, but defeating No. 11 Notre Dame tonight to reach the semifinals would be the victory the Hurricanes need to ease any fears come Selection Sunday.

5. Indiana (19-12, 9-9 Big 10)

Indiana

5. Indiana (19-12, 9-9 Big 10)

Indiana — When the Hoosiers are on, they are undoubtedly an NCAA Tournament team. The trouble is, head coach Tom Crean hasn't found a way to get any consistency out of this group, and there's really no excuse for IU to have finished just .500 in the conference. Two losses to Purdue particularly sting the Hoosiers with regard to the bubble; plus, Indiana isn't exactly rolling right now, having lost three in a row to Northwestern, Iowa and Michigan State.

When the Hoosiers are on, they are undoubtedly an NCAA Tournament team. The trouble is, head coach Tom Crean hasn't found a way to get any consistency out of this group, and there's really no excuse for IU to have finished just .500 in the conference. Two losses to Purdue particularly sting the Hoosiers with regard to the bubble; plus, Indiana isn't exactly rolling right now, having lost three in a row to Northwestern, Iowa and Michigan State.

4. Boise State (24-7, 14-4 MWC)

Boise

4. Boise State (24-7, 14-4 MWC)

Boise — The Broncos finished tied for the top spot in a pretty tough Mountain West Conference this season, sitting atop the heap with San Diego State. Both the Broncos and Aztecs have identical MWC and overall records, and the teams split in the regular season. But Boise State has no notable non-league wins and two came against D-2 schools. Plus, the Broncos needed two overtimes to get past Montana.

The Broncos finished tied for the top spot in a pretty tough Mountain West Conference this season, sitting atop the heap with San Diego State. Both the Broncos and Aztecs have identical MWC and overall records, and the teams split in the regular season. But Boise State has no notable non-league wins and two came against D-2 schools. Plus, the Broncos needed two overtimes to get past Montana.

3. UCLA (19-12, 11-7 Pac-12)

UCLA

3. UCLA (19-12, 11-7 Pac-12)

UCLA — This will be the real test of the selection committee, as to how much they weight cold hard facts about basketball teams against name brands. Would they leave UCLA out of the NCAA Tournament and put a Boise State in? Seems unlikely. UCLA played a much tougher schedule, but they went 1-5 vs. ranked teams and lost by 39 to Kentucky. Losses at Oregon State, Oregon and Arizona State don't help, either. Will the brand overshadow the product?

This will be the real test of the selection committee, as to how much they weight cold hard facts about basketball teams against name brands. Would they leave UCLA out of the NCAA Tournament and put a Boise State in? Seems unlikely. UCLA played a much tougher schedule, but they went 1-5 vs. ranked teams and lost by 39 to Kentucky. Losses at Oregon State, Oregon and Arizona State don't help, either. Will the brand overshadow the product?

2. Tulsa (21-9, 14-4 AAC)

Tulsa

2. Tulsa (21-9, 14-4 AAC)

Tulsa — Tulsa led the AAC most of the season but dropped a late-season battle with SMU to end up second. The Golden Hurricane went 0-4 against ranked teams, including home losses to Oklahoma and SMU. None of the AAC losses were particularly bad, but all you need to know about Tulsa is they lost to Southeast Oklahoma State (D2) on Dec. 10. SEOSU was 5-6 at the time.

Tulsa led the AAC most of the season but dropped a late-season battle with SMU to end up second. The Golden Hurricane went 0-4 against ranked teams, including home losses to Oklahoma and SMU. None of the AAC losses were particularly bad, but all you need to know about Tulsa is they lost to Southeast Oklahoma State (D2) on Dec. 10. SEOSU was 5-6 at the time.

1. Texas A&M (20-10, 11-7 SEC)

1. Texas A&M (20-10, 11-7 SEC)

The Aggies appeared for much of the season like they were definitely going to be a tournament team, and everyone remembers their double-overtime epic at home in which they finally fell to Kentucky, 70-64. But losses at Florida and at home against Alabama near the end of the season put A&M squarely back on the bubble. A loss to Auburn in today's SEC Tournament second round would end any hope the Aggies have of going dancing.

The Aggies appeared for much of the season like they were definitely going to be a tournament team, and everyone remembers their double-overtime epic at home in which they finally fell to Kentucky, 70-64. But losses at Florida and at home against Alabama near the end of the season put A&M squarely back on the bubble. A loss to Auburn in today's SEC Tournament second round would end any hope the Aggies have of going dancing.

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