Evaluating the NCAA Tournament bubble teams ahead of massive college basketball weekend slate

There are just two weekends remaining in the regular season, with a lot at stake as teams finish off their regular seasons. While some teams have locked up a spot in the NCAA Tournament, others are still on the bubble and fighting to get a bid. Entering a huge weekend slate across basketball, there is still a lot to play for teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble. ESPN recently released its most recent Bracketology, with an updated look at the teams on the bubble.

The latest ESPN Bracketology’s first four out/last four in

Last four in (with byes): Rutgers, Michigan, TCU, UNC

Last four in: Loyola Chicago, San Francisco, Indiana, Memphis

First four out: SMU, San Diego State, BYU, Dayton

Next four out: Oregon, St. Bonaventure, Virginia, Florida

Rutgers, Michigan, TCU, and UNC make up the final group of teams in the NCAA Tournament that don’t have to play in the First Four. Entering February, Rutgers didn’t look to be in a great spot to make the tournament. But a four-game winning streak with against four ranked Big Ten opponents propelled the Scarlet Knights firmly onto the NCAA Tournament bubble. This season has been far from smooth for Michigan, but the Wolverines have picked up some solid victories in Big Ten play.

The Wolverines, without suspended head coach Juwan Howard, have three ranked games remaining in the regular season. TCU sits at 17-9 overall and just 6-8 against the Big 12. But the Horned Frogs have a game against Texas Tech and two games against Kansas, giving TCU a huge opportunity at the tail end of the season. UNC has also played itself into the conversation, with a potential win against Duke to end the regular season would be big for the Tar Heels.

The true final four teams in the tournament currently, at least according to ESPN, are Loyola Chicago, San Francisco, Indiana, and Memphis. Loyola Chicago is 22-6 and is tied for first place in the MVC, with a matchup against Norther Iowa on deck to determine the regular season title. San Francisco is 22-8 with just one game remaining in the regular season. Indiana is 17-10 and recently snapped a five-game losing skid. But if the Hoosiers can pick up wins over Purdue, who they beat earlier in the year, and Rutgers, Indiana will likely be in.

ESPN’s latest Bracketology truly shows how tight the NCAA Tournament bubble is. Two teams from the American Athletic Conference – Memphis and SMU – make up the first team out and the final team in. Memphis (16-9) is on the right side of the bubble despite a disappointing start to the year. But the Tigers have wins against Alabama and Houston, with the chance for another win against Houston in the regular season finale. SMU is 20-6 with wins over Memphis (twice) and Houston. The Mustangs also get a shot at Houston again on Sunday. The two AAC teams are neck and neck, but how far each team goes in the AAC Tournament could ultimately decide who gets in.

San Diego State, BYU, and Dayton make up the remaining teams included in the first four out, while Oregon, St. Bonaventure, Virginia, and Florida are in the next four out.