The ultimate goal come March across all of College Basketball is to be playing your best. Teams on the bubble are always the most interesting story heading in as they seem to play their best to make sure they are in the field of 68. The selection committee determines the at-large bids by looking at the full body of work. However say a team on the bubble makes a run in their conference tournament and wins it and takes the automatic bid, then things can change dramatically especially in the final weeks of the regular season (see our expert picks). Let’s take a look at some bubble teams that could make a deep run in this year’s NCAA tournament.
UCLA is making a dramatic charge late
The Bruins had a very tough start to the season under first-year coach Mick Cronin. What he was able to accomplish at Cincinnati, might also carry over to UCLA. As the Bruins are playing great basketball at the right time and have won five-straight games. Including a pair of quadrant 1 wins according to NCAA’s NET rankings, road victories over Arizona and Colorado. The Bruins are 17-11 but they sit in a good spot with a chance to win the PAC-12. UCLA has a strong cast of players that could help push them to not only an NCAA birth but a possible second-weekend appearance with how wide-open the field is.
Memphis won’t go away
The Tigers were a preseason top-15 team to start 2019-2020. That didn’t last long, as likely NBA lottery pick James Wiseman left the team. Without Wiseman, Memphis has stumbled to a 19-8 record, but they have regained a little confidence with back-to-back wins. One of which was a one-point win against AAC leading Houston. Precious Achiuwa gives coach Penny Hardaway a strong playmaker to possibly lead a late charge.
Clemson might not get to the NCAA’s, but they are trying
The Clemson Tigers might only be 14-12, but they are coming together at possibly the right time. With three-straight wins including a victory over Louisville has their dreams still alive. They also own a win over Duke on their resume. However, a stretch of six losses in seven games in December and January might have already burned that bridge. Clemson has proven many wrong already in a down year for the ACC, but time will tell.
