At the beginning of the season, you probably would have laughed (or cried, depending on how devoted a fan you are) if I told you there would be a “bubble watch” on this blog.
After all, UConn was the co-favorite in the Big East and the No. 4 team in the national preseason polls.
But here we are.
Shabazz Napier (AP)
UConn is two games under .500 in the Big East and in serious danger of missing the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies had a chance to earn a signature win Saturday (overused term, I know) and they squandered it. There’s plenty of blame to go around, and it starts in the frontcourt. Andre Drummond never got into a rhythm. He and Alex Oriakhi combined for just seven rebounds.
But Marquette is one hell of a basketball team. Darius Johnson Odom is a man amongst boys in the backcourt. He has a running back’s body and a smooth, lefty 3-point stroke. Clearly, the Golden Eagles don’t have to worry about their NCAA Tournament prospects.
Here’s a rundown of UConn’s resume:
RECORD: 16-10 (6-8 Big East)
BEST WINS: at Notre Dame, vs. Harvard, vs. Florida State, vs. West Virginia
WORST LOSSES: at Rutgers, at Louisville (by 21), at Seton Hall, at Tennessee
SOS: 2
RPI: 26
REMAINING GAMES: at Villanova, vs. Syracuse, at Providence, vs. Pittsburgh
PROJECTIONS: ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has UConn as a nine seed, the 20-member mock NCAA tournament committee placed UConn as a No. 10 seed.
IMO this team needs a couple of wins and maybe at least one in the Big East tournament to be invited. It’s been a long time since they beat a decent team.