Bracketology 2025

[GoBearcats31]

First four out (but first team out)
https://x.com/bracketguydave/status/...A2NHZ_hNyS2mFg

https://x.com/bracketguydave/status/1895243161196470549?s=46&t=6827ybyyA2NHZ_hNyS2mFg

[leeraymond]

Since we are discussing non-conference schedule strength...I have an honest question. How much of this is within the control of the head coach? Isn't the AD the one making these decisions?

Good question.

[leeraymond]

Speaking of quality OOC games, I’d love to do a multi year agreement with Memphis. We’ve always had a good rivalry with them, and playing once a year would help both of us.

Both teams have to win to make it a rivalry. While UC was in the American, Miller lost 4 straight games to Penny H.

[GoBearcats31]

Not much going on tonight, but NKU (currently a Q4 road win for UC but three spots away from Q3) plays...

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And NKU pulls it out on the road against Purdue FW, one of the top teams in the Horizon League.

[swilsonsp4]

And NKU pulls it out on the road against Purdue FW, one of the top teams in the Horizon League.

The Norse began the night at #243 in NET, while PFW were #149. That may be enough to get NKU up to #240, making UC's road win Q3 (for now, at least).

[GoBearcats31]

The Norse began the night at #243 in NET, while PFW were #149. That may be enough to get NKU up to #240, making UC's road win Q3 (for now, at least).

NKU is now 237 in the NET, making UC's road win--for the time being--a Q3. Nonetheless, UC fell a spot in the NET from 46 to 47

[sedz]

UC San Diego took advantage of their last opportunity for a Q2 win at CS Northridge. So they sit at 4-2 in quality games with a couple bad losses (one is borderline). Strong resume.

NKU did move into the top 240 so we have two Q3 wins instead of one. Not sure if that does anything at all for us.

[sedz]

Just one relevant game tonight as VCU hosts Davidson. The Rams will look to avoid a bad loss as 15 point favorites.

[GoBearcats31]

Some upcoming bubble-relevant games:

Friday
9:00 (FS1) - Iowa at Northwestern

Saturday
12:00 (ESPN) - Miami at North Carolina
1:00 (SEC) - Arkansas at South Carolina
2:00 (ESPN2) - Oklahoma at Ole Miss
2:00 (BTN) - Minnesota at Nebraska
2:00 (ESPN+) - George Mason at Duquesne
4:30 (FOX) - Creighton at Xavier (Ohio)
5:00 (ACC) - SMU at Stanford
5:15 (CW) - Notre Dame at Wake Forest
6:00 (Peacock) - Indiana at Washington
6:00 (SEC) - #14 Missouri at Vanderbilt
7:00 - Boise State at Fresno State
8:00 (ESPN2) - Georgia at Texas
8:00 (CBSSN) - San Diego State at Wyoming
10:00 (ESPN2) - West Virginia at BYU
10:00 (ESPN+) - Cal State Fullerton at UC San Diego
11:00 (ESPN) - Gonzaga at San Francisco

Big 12 games
#10 Texas Tech at Kansas
UCF at TCU - probably pull for UCF (just outside of Q1 road win for UC; TCU is a game up on UC in standings, UCF a game back)
Arizona State at Utah - Utah win may help but Utah is also tied with UC in standings so wouldn't be bad if they lost
Oklahoma State at Baylor - root for Baylor to get back to Q1 status
#22 Arizona at #9 Iowa State
West Virginia at #25 BYU - root for BYU
Colorado at Kansas State (Sunday) - probably pull for CU

[swilsonsp4]

"Arizona State at Utah - Utah win may help but Utah is also tied with UC in standings so wouldn't be bad if they lost."

Jayden Quaintance did not play Wednesday night and their roster otherwise is a mess at this point. If Quaintance can't play, they'll have problems with the Utes in SLC.

[swilsonsp4]

Coleman Hawkins, who's been out for a short while with a knee problem, has not been practicing this week, per the Wichita Eagle. Hawkins is rehabbing and working out on a bike. Jerome Tang said he doesn't know if Hawkins will play Sunday against the Buffs (or even after that), as the coach doesn't want to jeopardize the kid's future.

[Carthage World]

Kansas State at #82 in NET may be too much of a lost cause to get back to Q2 by the end of the season but if they blowout Colorado at home today that would certainly help their cause. Best case scenario is that they lose to us and then lose a tight game to Iowa St at home to finish 8-12 in conference but also keep their NET as close to top 75 as possible.

[GoBearcats31]

This is March

[GoBearcats31]

Bracket Guy Dave:

”Bubble teams will be rooting for at least these three teams during Championship Week:
Memphis
VCU
Drake
A loss by Memphis guarantees one less at-large spot. A loss by either VCU or Drake (or both) creates a larger bubble pool and more competition for spots.”

[GoBearcats31]

It is early but Arkansas (17-11/6-9) trailing at the half versus last place South Carolina 32-14 (!) seems notable