The Alabama Crimson Tide very nearly saw their bubble burst this afternoon in St. Louis, as they coughed up a sizable lead to the Texas A&M Aggies in the SEC Tournament’s 8/9 game. But the Tide’s star freshman, Collin Sexton, would have none of it.
Bracketology 2018: Did Collin Sexton and Alabama just push Arizona State out?
With their thrilling win at the buzzer, the Crimson Tide rejoin this projection, at the idle Sun Devils’ expense. Elsewhere, Providence helped its cause while Oklahoma State’s bubble likely burst.
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That 71-70 victory is Alabama’s sixth that qualifies for Group 1 status and their seventh over a top-50 foe. Considering the quality win totals put up by the teams around the cut line, the Crimson Tide might just have enough on their profile to sneak into the field, even if today’s victory snapped a five-game skid. Beating archrival Auburn in tomorrow’s quarterfinals would almost assuredly lock a bid up for the Tide.
While Alabama was Thursday afternoon’s big bubble winner, the Providence Friars, one of the teams just avoiding a trip to Dayton in this morning’s full bracket, joined them — earning a little more breathing room by defeating the Creighton Bluejays in the second Big East Tournament quarterfinal of the day. In the Big 12 Tournament, the Kansas State Wildcats also avoided a nervous weekend of waiting by toppling the TCU Horned Frogs after overtime.
But things didn’t go according to plan for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Kansas City. Even with Udoka Azubuike out injured, the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks were able to handle the Pokes easily, 82-68, defeating them for the first time this season. While Mike Boynton’s team still has seven top-50 wins to its name, I think the Selection Committee may balk at Oklahoma State’s RPI of 87 and non-conference strength of schedule of 288.
As for the Louisville Cardinals, who lost to the Virginia Cavaliers for the third time this season and second time in the span of a week, they remain in, barely. Instead, it’s the Arizona State Sun Devils who drop out of the field after Alabama’s buzzer-beating win. ASU’s three Group 1 wins simply don’t compare to the totals Alabama and Oklahoma have to offer — the Sun Devils have just three while both the Tide and Sooners have double that number. And when you’re comparing three teams that have struggled through the season’s final month, that difference could be key.
In terms of potential bid thieves, the Nevada Wolf Pack held one off in the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas, knocking off in-state rival UNLV, 79-74, but one may lurk in the SEC, as the Georgia Bulldogs ruined Michael Porter Jr.’s Missouri Tigers debut, winning a 72-70 thriller. The Bulldogs face the Kentucky Wildcats in Friday afternoon’s quarterfinals.
So, heading into Thursday evening’s games, here’s how the picture around the cut line looks. If a team is in action tonight, I’ve listed their opponent. You can find TV info at Conference Tournament Central.
Avoiding Dayton: Texas (vs. Texas Tech), USC (vs. Oregon State), Providence, N.C. State
Last Four In: Baylor (vs. West Virginia), Alabama, Saint Mary’s, Louisville
First Four Out: Marquette (vs. Villanova), Notre Dame (vs. Duke), Arizona State, Oklahoma State
Next Four Out: Utah (vs. Oregon) , Boise State (vs. Utah State), Syracuse, Oregon (vs. Utah)
As you can see, there’s the potential for more change tonight. And with that in mind, I’ll be back with another quick update later this evening.
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