2012 March Madness Bubble Teams Bracketology: Last Four Teams In the NCAA Tournament Field

2012 March Madness Bubble Teams Bracketology – Expert Picks and Predictions on First Four Teams In the 2012 NCAA Tournament Bracket: It is officially zero hour for the bubble teams hoping to make this year’s NCAA tournament field. With a majority of the bubble teams already eliminated from their conference tournaments, their fates are in the hands of other teams and the resumes they have already accumulated. At this point, no bubble team is safe, but there are a few that have set themselves up nicely for a tournament bid.

2012 NCAA Tournament Bubble Teams Bracketology and Predictions: Last Four Teams In the NCAA Tournament Bracket

1. Texas Longhorns (20-13)

The Longhorns have been on the bubble since it officially became bracketology season, but after defeating Iowa State in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament, they should finally be able to rest easy. Granted, ranking 43rd in the RPI isn’t great and having a 1-8 record against teams in the top 25 is awful, but with a 4-9 mark against teams in the RPI top 50, Texas has done more to deserve a spot in the field of 68 than a lot of the other bubble teams. It wasn’t pretty, and their record against top competition leaves a lot to be desired, but a run to the Big 12 tournament semifinals should have the Longhorns breathing easy.

2. West Virginia Mountaineers (19-13)

Had the Mountaineers not limped to the finish line, there would be no questions about whether or not they deserve a spot in the NCAA tournament. Instead West Virginia is on the bubble, having lost just about every close game in conference play. The good news for the Mountaineers is that ranking 43rd in the RPI with the 13th-toughest schedule should still get them in the big dance. West Virginia’s 4-8 mark against teams in the RPI top 50 isn’t great, but the selection committee will take into account all the close losses, including a loss to second-ranked Syracuse on a blown goal tending call.

3. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (25-8)

Although Southern Miss is still on the right side of the bubble for now, a loss to Marshall in the C-USA tournament semifinals leaves the Golden Eagles’ future in doubt. However, Southern Miss is still in decent shape because of a top-15 ranking in the RPI, along with some quality out-of-conference wins. Depending on how the automatic bids fall, Southern Miss could still end up missing out on March Madness. That being said, it would take several surprise conference tournament winners for the Golden Eagles not to grab an at-large bid.

4. Colorado State Rams (20-11) 

A loss in the Mountain West tournament to a ranked San Diego State team isn’t the end of the world for the Rams. On paper, Colorado State still stands out among the bubble teams. With the seventh-toughest schedule and three wins against top-25 teams to go along with a top 20 RPI, the Rams bring more to the table than most bubble teams. The Mountain West had a strong year overall, and while Colorado State is only the fourth-best team in the conference, the MWC is deep enough to put four teams in the NCAA tournament this season.