2024 College Basketball Bubble Teams
2024 College Basketball Bubble Teams-Betting Angles
If you are looking at teams to bet on late in the regular season or in the college basketball tournaments, it’s important to know who the teams are that desperately need wins to earn an at-large or automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Their straight up record and NCAA Net Ratings are in parenthesis.
Colorado (20-9, 30 Net)
The Buffs have one of the nation’s top freshmen in Cody Williams, who averages 13.7 points and could be in the lottery if he comes out. The Buffs end the season with Oregon and Oregon State on the road.
Drake (20-6, 48 Net)
Drake is having an excellent year in the MVC, which has been a two-bid league in the past. The regular season is over and it’s time to win a game or two in the MVC Tournament after winning seven of their last eight games. They did split with Indiana State.
Iowa (18-12, 62 Net)
The Hawkeyes have won two straight and four of their last five games. They end the season on March 10 with Illinois at home and that is a must-win game. Illinois plays Purdue the game before so they might have a slight letdown.
Memphis (22-8, 71 Net)
The Tigers play in the American, which has quality teams led by FAU, but might end up just as a one-seeded conference. However, Memphis ends the season at FAU in a monster game for both teams, though the Owls have a 35 Net ranking and should be in the Big Dance.
Ole Miss (20-9, 78 Net)
Ole Miss is just 7-9 in the SEC and they are lacking that big win. They face Georgia and Texas A&M to end the season, so it looks like they need another win or two in the SEC Tournament.
Oregon (19-10, 64 Net)
The Ducks have Colorado and Utah to end the season, which is interesting considering both are on the bubble. They have some work to do.
Pittsburgh (19-10, 44 Net)
The Panthers have some good wins this season including beating Duke on the road. They aren’t far away but wins over Florida State and NC State home is a must.
Providence (18-11, 62 Net)
The Friars’ loss at home to Villanova was devastating. Now, they face a bad Georgetown team on the road and No. 2 UConn at home. A win over the Huskies would be fantastic, but realistically, they are going to need at least a split and a win or two in the Big East Tournament.
St. John’s (17-12, 39 Net)
It helps to have Rick Pitino as head coach, but that overall record is pretty NITish. The Red Storm can’t afford to stumble in their next two games against DePaul and Georgetown.
Seton Hall (18-11, 62 Net)
The Big East appears to lead the nation in “bubble” teams. The Pirates take on Villanova and DePaul to end the season. They swept St. John’s so it would be unfortunate for them to wind up in the NIT instead of the Red Storm, but the Pirates have worse numbers.
Utah (18-11, 46 Net)
The Utes lost to Arizona in three overtimes on Feb. 8 and if not for that, they’d be in. They face Oregon State and Oregon on the road to end the season. They have to split to even have a shot and then probably win a game in the Pac-12 Tournament.
Villanova (17-12, 26 Net)
Another big-name team that is coming off a nice road win over Providence. A road game against Seton Hall becomes a must-win. They end with Creighton at home and that could be the clincher.
Wake Forest (18-11, 31 Net)
The Demon Deacons were riding him off a win over Duke on Feb. 24 and they inexplicably lost at Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. They finish at home against Georgia Tech and Clemson, but they should in the tournament, probably at the dreaded 11th seed. However, if they lose to Georgia Tech at home, they are in trouble.