The Bubble Guide took some hits for showing pictures of dead animals yesterday. It's a weird psychological phenomenon, really. The most popular TV show in the world right now features an endless supply of dead humans walking around and nobody blinks an eye. But a still photo of a dead blue jay or a dead panther creeps people out.
But I digress.
Last night was a bad night for major college basketball teams in the Los Angeles area. Let's get into it...
Thursday's Biggest Losers
UCLA
If their name wasn't "UCLA", I doubt many would consider them even a potential tournament team. Their decisive loss to Cal last night may have been their last chance to make a move up the bubble. They're now 15-13, and only the PAC12's gaming of the RPI system has them even with a sliver of a chance. Their chances dropped from 16.6% to 10.0%. Hopefully this picture of a dead bear doesn't offend anybody's sensibilities too much.
USC
The Trojans are on a bit of a "slide" with their second straight blowout loss, this time at Stanford. Their once solid NCAA tournament bid is "slipping away". Chances dropped from 80.3% to 67.2%
Providence
Providence lost at fellow Big East bubbler Seton Hall and saw their chances drop from 57.0% all the way down to 43.0%.
UNC-Wilmington
Any time a good mid major team loses, it hurts them on the bubble much more than when it happens to a high major team. The reason is there are no more opportunities to offset the loss with a good win. UNC-Wilmington lost to the only good team left on their schedule, fellow bubbler Hofstra, and saw their chances plummet from 53.3% to 34.3%. I hope this picture of a dead seahawk doesn't offend anyone.
Thursday's Winners
Seton Hall
The Pirates got a big win over fellow Big East bubbler Providence, and saw their chances jump from 66.2% to 77.5%.
Hofstra
Hofstra got a big win over rival UNC-Wilmington, and saw their chances rise from 31.9% to 41.7%.
Gonzaga?
Even though the Bulldogs won at lowly San Diego last night, their NCAA chances actually dropped from 57.1% to 55.5%. Such is the precarious position Mark Few finds himself. Wins aren't helping now, but losses would be devastating. Still, they treaded water and lived to fight another day.
Friday's Light Bubble Schedule
Bowling Green
at Akron (RPI: 51 Chances: 44.6%)
7pm, CBSSN
- The Zips suffered a horrible loss the other day against Miami(OH) and another loss would pretty much kill any hopes at an at-large bid. Go Falcons!
Valparaiso (RPI: 56 Chances: 78.5%)
at Milwaukee
7pm, ESPN2
- Most of Valpo's NCAA chances rest on winning an auto-bid. But they do have a 19% chance of an at-large. If they want to have some insurance against losing in their conference finals, they simply cannot lose any other games. Go Panthers!
Rider
at Monmouth (RPI: 45 Chances: 45.3%)
9PM, ESPN2
- Monmouth needs to keep winning. They simply cannot afford another loss, or their only chance of making the tournament is to win the MAAC. Go Broncs!
But I digress.
Last night was a bad night for major college basketball teams in the Los Angeles area. Let's get into it...
Thursday's Biggest Losers
UCLA
If their name wasn't "UCLA", I doubt many would consider them even a potential tournament team. Their decisive loss to Cal last night may have been their last chance to make a move up the bubble. They're now 15-13, and only the PAC12's gaming of the RPI system has them even with a sliver of a chance. Their chances dropped from 16.6% to 10.0%. Hopefully this picture of a dead bear doesn't offend anybody's sensibilities too much.
USC
The Trojans are on a bit of a "slide" with their second straight blowout loss, this time at Stanford. Their once solid NCAA tournament bid is "slipping away". Chances dropped from 80.3% to 67.2%
Providence
Providence lost at fellow Big East bubbler Seton Hall and saw their chances drop from 57.0% all the way down to 43.0%.
UNC-Wilmington
Any time a good mid major team loses, it hurts them on the bubble much more than when it happens to a high major team. The reason is there are no more opportunities to offset the loss with a good win. UNC-Wilmington lost to the only good team left on their schedule, fellow bubbler Hofstra, and saw their chances plummet from 53.3% to 34.3%. I hope this picture of a dead seahawk doesn't offend anyone.
Thursday's Winners
Seton Hall
The Pirates got a big win over fellow Big East bubbler Providence, and saw their chances jump from 66.2% to 77.5%.
Hofstra
Hofstra got a big win over rival UNC-Wilmington, and saw their chances rise from 31.9% to 41.7%.
Gonzaga?
Even though the Bulldogs won at lowly San Diego last night, their NCAA chances actually dropped from 57.1% to 55.5%. Such is the precarious position Mark Few finds himself. Wins aren't helping now, but losses would be devastating. Still, they treaded water and lived to fight another day.
Friday's Light Bubble Schedule
Bowling Green
at Akron (RPI: 51 Chances: 44.6%)
7pm, CBSSN
- The Zips suffered a horrible loss the other day against Miami(OH) and another loss would pretty much kill any hopes at an at-large bid. Go Falcons!
Valparaiso (RPI: 56 Chances: 78.5%)
at Milwaukee
7pm, ESPN2
- Most of Valpo's NCAA chances rest on winning an auto-bid. But they do have a 19% chance of an at-large. If they want to have some insurance against losing in their conference finals, they simply cannot lose any other games. Go Panthers!
Rider
at Monmouth (RPI: 45 Chances: 45.3%)
9PM, ESPN2
- Monmouth needs to keep winning. They simply cannot afford another loss, or their only chance of making the tournament is to win the MAAC. Go Broncs!
