The various mock brackets composed around the nation likely will change quite a bit in the next three weeks. But with Selection Sunday less than a month away now, the ebbs and flows of the 68-team NCAA tournament field are getting more interesting — and more real.
There will be arguments about who should get those four coveted No. 1 seeds, a contentious debate in a year in which no team has convincingly risen above the pack. There will be a scramble as other squads vie for better seeding and a more favorable path to advancement.
As intriguing as any competition will be that of the ever-fluctuating bubble, capable of sending hot teams on a wild run or abruptly ending a once promising season. As always, there are several surprises hovering firmly in that will-they, won't-they territory. Four of those teams should be pretty familiar to Gophers fans.
Texas Tech (16-9, 6-7 Big 12): Don't look now, but former Gophers coach Tubby Smith's Red Raiders have lit the Big 12 on fire in the last week and a half. Texas Tech certainly has had its fair share of troubles — namely, dropping eight of 10 from Jan. 6 to Feb. 6. But since then, the Fighting Tubbies have launched as impressive a winning streak as there has been anywhere in the country, beating three consecutive ranked teams, including No. 3 Oklahoma on Wednesday. ESPN.com has the Red Raiders as one of its last four in, and opportunities to improve their résumé remain. Texas Tech still faces No. 2 Kansas and No. 10 West Virginia on the road. Seize one of those and at two of the remaining three and they will be dancing.
Wisconsin (16-10, 8-5 Big Ten): When Bo Ryan abruptly retired in December, placing the Badgers in the hands of longtime assistant Greg Gard, Wisconsin looked doomed. But wonder of all wonders, the Badgers, who haven't missed the tournament since 1998, appear to be back. The renaissance of Ryan's legendary swing offense assisted in a seven-game winning streak before Thursday's loss at Michigan State, with victories at Maryland and against Indiana and the Spartans at home. CBSSports.com and ESPN.com differ about just how safe Wisconsin is, but the Badgers probably will hang on the right side of the bubble if they can win three of their next five games.
Michigan (19-8, 9-5 Big Ten): After a .500 season in which the Wolverines were marred by injuries, this season was supposed to be better. But bad luck has struck again — star guard Caris LeVert has sat out 11 of the past 12 games because of a mysterious lower leg injury, and Spike Albrecht had to end his career due to hip trouble — and Michigan can't get over the hump. The Wolverines have lost four of six games vs. ranked opponents in that span and are clinging to a spot in the First Four. Luckily, the remaining schedule holds games against Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa and Northwestern. Win three of those four and they are probably in.
Clemson (16-10, 9-5 ACC): Remember on Nov. 30 when the Gophers topped the Tigers 89-83 at Williams Arena? The Gophers have only two victories since, while Clemson has reeled off 12, including a five-game streak in January that included beating Louisville, Duke and Miami. Suddenly, a team that was totally off the radar in November and picked to finish 11th or lower in the ACC in most preseason predictions is on the verge of its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2011 — but there is work to be done. CBS left the Tigers out of its most recent bracket while ESPN has them dangling in the "first four out" category. A home date with No. 7 Virginia on March 1 will be very important, and Clemson might have to take care of business elsewhere to feel comfortable.
WEEKEND GAME TO WATCH
No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 10 West Virginia, 3 p.m. Saturday (ESPN)
What's going on with the Sooners? Well, they are finally starting to look human, shooting under 32 percent from three-point range in each of their three losses over the past four games. Meanwhile, West Virginia is hiccupping too, and beat up heading into this matchup with Daxter Miles Jr. missing the Mountaineers' loss at Texas on Tuesday due to a strained hamstring, and Jaysean Paige leaving that game because of a sprained ankle. The momentum would be big for both teams.
