The Bubble Nearly Bursting

I really do not want to talk about the drubbing Seton Hall put on Marquette on Saturday night as the Pirates won 85-72 because it is honestly the same conversation I have written about in past MU losses. They didn't look strong defense, couldn't close out on threes, and did not stop penetration. Marquette has now put themselves back on the bubble again where a week ago, it seemed like Marquette had a spot in the tournament, too bad the Golden Eagles hit cruise control.  

Before yesterday's defeat, Marquette stood as a 10th seed according to Joe Lunardi of ESPN.  The Golden Eagles are 5-7 in their last 12 games, their RPI is 67, and a .500 record in the Big East. None of those numbers impressed me very much, but I do believe it helps Villanova and UConn also have .500 Big East records.  The numbers tells me that the Golden Eagles have to beat Providence in the the Big East Tournament at least, and it definitely wouldn't hurt to beat West Virginia either. But with how crazy college basketball has been this year, I am very worried a couple random teams will slide into the tournament stealing a bid from others. Additionally, Marquette has to worry about the other bubble teams making a strong push. 

I wish Marquette would not have lost the last two games of the season. Since they did, I have to walk on pins and needles with every possession in the next couple of games. Marquette would not be even sniffing the tournament in many years, but in a diluted year, they are allowed to be one of the bottom feeders in this year's version. 

What's great about March is you never know what can happened, either for the good or the bad.  

-Charlie