Bubble Watch - Saturday's Rooting Guide

So, it goes without saying, today is a massive, massive day when it comes to Michigan's tourney chances. Most Bracketologists are saying that while today isn’t a MUST win for Michigan, it becomes very difficult if they don’t win today. Before we get into today’s rooting guide, let’s start with Michigan:

Current Net Ranking: 64 (right below Arizona State and right above Oklahoma, remember that for later)

Quad 1 record: 2-8

Our game today against Indiana is at 6pm on ESPN. Indiana is currently #20 on the Net Rankings, so this would qualify as another Quad 1 win.

Alright, let’s dive into today’s rooting guide (sorry this is going to be a long one with lots of action today)

Pitt @ Florida State (12pm EST on ESPNU) – Our neutral court win against Pitt is our only good non-conference win and Pitt is ever so close to another Quad 1 win. Pitt is currently 52 on the Net rankings and will move to Quad 1 if Pitt hits 50. Gotta have this win against a sub-par FSU team. Go Panthers!

Penn State @ Maryland (12pm on BTN) – This game is an interesting one but a pretty easy call. We want Maryland in this game. We’re fighting with PSU for a spot in the tourney plus Maryland is one of our Quad 1 wins but are only 2 spots above being a Quad 2. Need the Terps today.

Georgia @ Kentucky (12pm on ESPN) – Another unusual game. Yes, we lost to Kentucky so we want that loss to look as good as possible but we’re also fighting with Kentucky for a spot in the tourney. We’d prefer Georgia to win this one.

Kansas @ Oklahoma (1pm on CBS) – This is a big one for Michigan. While Oklahoma is only 12-12, they are just behind Michigan on the Net rankings and have 4 Quad 1 wins. We want the Jayhawks.

Virginia Tech @ Notre Dame (2pm on ACC Network) – I debated putting this one down but figured it couldn’t hurt. VT is a few spots above us on the Net ranking but appear to be below is in the bubble line. A loss to a bad Notre Dame team would basically knock them fully out. I hate ND, but you can do the math on this one.

Clemson @ North Carolina (2pm on ESPN2) – Really interesting game here. Clemson is on the other side of the bubble with 2 Quad 4 losses but Carolina has been sliding a bit as of late. I’m going with Clemson to win here as UNC is the last team in according to Joe Lunardi & Jerry Palm.

Vanderbilt @ Florida (3:30pm on SEC Network) – Florida is about 3 spots ahead of us on the bubble line. A loss to Vandy would likely help us leapfrog them. Pretty simple one here, Go Vandy!

Wisconsin @ Nebraska (4pm on BTN) – Big one here. On most brackets, Wisconsin is either the last team in or the first team out. A loss to the Huskers would qualify as a pretty bad loss for them. Yes, we still have two games against the Badgers and we want a chance for some Quad 1 wins in those games, we also have to worry about Wisconsin getting in over us. I’m rooting for the Huskers in this one.

Oklahoma State @ Iowa State (6pm on ESPN2) - Oklahoma State is probably the hottest team in college hoops right now. They’ve won 4 in a row & 6 of their last 7. But on most brackets, they’re right around the cut line. We’d prefer Iowa State to win this one.

USC @ Oregon State (6pm on PAC 12 Network) – Much like Oklahoma State & Wisconsin, USC is on the cut line on many brackets. Other than a bit of a better overall record, USC and Michigan have very similar profiles. An Oregon State win today would change that. Go Beavers!

Mississippi State @ Arkansas (6pm on ESPNU) – I’d argue outside of our game, this game is likely the most important for Michigan today. Mississippi State is just above us in most seed lines. We want the Razorbacks in this game so we can jump MSU (that feels good to say lol)

Arizona State @ Cal (8pm on PAC 12 Network) – Another big one here. No other way to put it, Cal is one of the worst Power 5 teams this year. They’ve won 3 games all season. ASU losing @ Cal would be a horrible loss on their profile and we’re right by them on the seed line. Go Bears!

Seton Hall @ Villanova (8pm on FS1) – Big, big game here. Seton Hall is just ahead of us on the Net rankings (59) and most bracket lines. A loss to Villanova would be a big help for us to jump them.

Wyoming @ Boise State (8pm on CBSSN) – Boise State is near the cut line on most brackets. A loss to Wyoming would be a bad one for them, go Cowboys!

Texas A&M @ LSU (8pm on SEC Network) – Texas A&M is another team that is right by us on most seed lines. They have a good Net ranking (37) but already have 2 Quad 4 losses. A loss to LSU would be another hit to their resume. Go Tigers.

Oregon @ UCLA (10pm on ESPN) – For those night owls, this will be a key game to keep an eye on. Oregon is barely on the outside looking in on most brackets. A win over UCLA would likely have them more comfortable. We want the Bruins in this one.

Colorado @ Utah (10pm on FS1) – Last by not least, Utah is just ahead of us on most seed lines and close on the Net rankings as well. A loss to Colorado here would help Michigan. Go Buffs!

Whew, that was a long one but thanks everybody for the comments & feedback on these posts. Go Blue!