We launched this Bubble Watch feature yesterday. Read more about this content and its purpose here - Debut of Bubble Watch!
Here are the college basketball games to watch tonight that impact teams that are on the Bubble and looking to solidify or increase their chances of hearing their name called on Selection Sunday.
The games are broken down into three categories:
Bubblicious - Two bubble teams squaring off in an ultra-important game.
VCU vs Richmond - 7 pm CBSS
These two schools share the city of Richmond and a desire to make this year’s NCAA Tournament. VCU is an 11-seed in Joe Lunardi’s latest ESPN Bracketology. Richmond is in the First Four Out category. Someone is getting an important win. It’s the only scheduled matchup between the two teams as of now.
Indiana vs Minnesota - 7 pm Big10
Two teams squarely on the bubble and among the Last Four Teams In according to Lunardi. It’s their only matchup of the regular season so the winner gets a win that could be a key tie-breaker come Selection Sunday.
Boise State vs Utah State - 9 pm CBSS
The first of two matchups this week between a pair of teams in Lunardi’s bracket as an 11 and 12 seed respectively. They play again Friday night. A sweep by either team would certainly add to their resume.
Resume Enhancing - A bubble team taking on a team right now that is solidly in the field of 68, creating a chance for a quality win to improve a team’s resume.
Syracuse vs Louisville - 6:30 pm ACCN
Syracuse is in the Next Four Out category and Louisville provides a chance at a Quad 1 win.
Bubble Games - These games pit a team on the Bubble playing a non-Bubble team, who can ill-afford a conceived “bad” loss. The “bubble” team is listed first.
SMU vs Tulane - 8 pm ESPN+
SMU is squarely on the Bubble and needs a strong finish to claim a berth on Selection Sunday. That means they can ill afford a loss to Tulane, who sits 151 in the latest NET rankings.
Loyola vs Valparaíso - 8 pm ESPN+
Loyola is firmly in the field, but coming off a loss to Drake to split that two-game set. The Ramblers are not back in action until February 26-27 against SIU-Edwardsville. They don’t want to enter that series on the heels of two-straight losses.
Duke vs Wake Forest - 8:30 pm ACCN
Duke just lost the services of Jalen Johnson, who opted out of the season to prepare for the NBA Draft. Clearly, on the outside looking in, the Blue Devils can ill-afford a loss to Wake Forest.
Seton Hall vs DePaul - 8:30 pm FS1
The Pirates have earned a 10-seed according to Lunardi (and a first-round game against Rutgers - well done Mr. Lunardi). DePaul is last in the Big East with one conference win. Seton Hall needs to avoid a bad loss here against a Blue Demon team ranked 184th in the latest NET Rankings
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