The weekend in college hoops 🏀

If it felt like that weekend had a little bit of everything, it did.

Let’s dive in.

1. NCAA tourney bubble is quite lively

This time of year, the bubble’s either painful, incredible, or irrelevant. This weekend had plenty of all three.

Big wins, but too late?

Rick Pitino busted out the white suit for the weekend’s most notable victory, an 80-66 win over No. 15 Creighton. But the Red Storm (16-12, 8-9 in Big East) pretty much have to win out to have a shot at an at-large berth.

They’re not alone among the Big East, though. Villanova (15-12, 8-8), got drilled by No. 1 UConn — Gus Johnson loved that Tristen Newton triple-double, Newton’s fourth of his career — and Butler (16-12, 7-10) lost its fourth straight, 76-64, to Seton Hall. All three need to rack up wins down the stretch.

Colorado pummeled Utah, 89-65, on Saturday, bringing the Buffs (19-8, 9-7 in Pac-12) to at-large conversation. They’re 30th in kenpom and 34 in the NET, but have just one Quad 1 win.

Pitt (18-9, 9-7 in ACC) has won six of seven after a 79-64 win vs. Virginia Tech, but is even farther back from an at-large than CU.

Painful losses, but still OK

Michigan State is doing its best to create another Ton Izzo rant.

The Spartans (17-11, 9-8 in Big Ten) have dropped two in a row and have Purdue on Saturday. They’re still in the 8-10 seed range for now. But more losses …

Same goes for Florida Atlantic (21-7, 11-4 in AAC), which lost 78-74 to Memphis on Sunday. The Owls are now 37 in the NET, and benefit from a 7-5 record vs. Quad 1 & 2 teams. But more losses and …

But worst among these three is Virginia (20-8, 11-6 in ACC), which has lost three of its last four and hasn’t even scored more than 50 points in three games.

Then there’s Washington State (21-7, 12-5 in Pac-12), which lost 73-61 at Arizona State. The Cougars are solidly in the field, and close out their season with three games at home. I only include them here because losing two of those would make them nervous for an at-large.

Big wins, feeling good

Any other weekend, Wake Forest’s 83-79 victory over Duke would rate as the story of the weekend. What happened after the game derailed that, though. (See below). But let it be said that the Demon Deacons (18-9, 10-6 in ACC) finally have a Quad 1 win, are 25th in the NET, 19th in kenpom and look like an NCAA tourney team. Just win the next three games (at Notre Dame, at Va tech and vs. Georgia Tech), deal?

TCU (19-8, 8-6 in Big 12) hammered Cincy, 75-57, and are on the 8-9 seed line. The Horned Frogs may not have played a tough non-conference schedule, but they’re doing enough for an at-large. Same goes for Mississippi State (19-8, 8-6 in SEC), which crushed LSU by 20. The Bulldogs have won 5 straight.

Also feeling good Nebraska (20-8, 10-7 in Big Ten), which crushed Minnesota 73-55 on Sunday. Excpect to see the Huskers as a consensus at-large team.

Then there are programs like New Mexico, Texas A&M, Grand Canyon and Gonzaga. You’re gonna need even more context for them, so tune into Fielding the 68 today at 5:30 pm ET on YouTube or Twitter for a complete bubble picture.

2. On court storming

When students stormed the court after Wake Forest’s win over Duke on Saturday, it showcased one of the sport’s most famous traditions — but also showcased why it’s such a lightning rod.

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