As Selection Sunday inches closer, the anticipation around Indiana basketball's tournament prospects is heating up. With four regular-season games left, the Hoosiers are sitting at 17-10 overall and 8-8 in the Big Ten. Let's dive into the bracketology projections and see where IU stands in the race to March Madness.
Current Resume and Projections
Quad Wins Breakdown:
- Quad 1: 2-10
- Quad 2: 2-0
- Quad 3: 6-0
- Quad 4: 7-0
Ranking Metrics:
- KPI: 51
- Strength of Record: 42
- Wins Above Bubble (WAB): 41
- BPI: 31
- KenPom: 41
- NET: 36
- Bart Torvik: 30
These metrics show a team that's competitive but needs a strong finish to solidify its tournament hopes.
Remaining Schedule and Win Probabilities
IU's remaining games are crucial, with two matchups looking favorable:
- **February 24 vs.
Northwestern:** 76% chance of victory
- **March 1 vs.
Michigan State:** 39% chance of victory
- **March 4 vs.
Minnesota:** 76% chance of victory
- March 7 at Ohio State: 36% chance of victory
Winning the games against Northwestern and Minnesota is critical, but pulling off an upset against Michigan State or Ohio State could be a game-changer.
Bracketology Insights
Mock Selection Committee:
- Indiana is currently projected as the final No. 9 seed, facing Texas A&M in Greenville, South Carolina.
Joe Lunardi (ESPN):
- Lunardi lists IU among the last four byes, indicating they're just inside the safe zone. However, the competition is tight with teams like UCF, UCLA, and Auburn in the mix.
CBS Sports:
- CBS has Indiana just outside the field, ranking them fourth among the first four out. This highlights the precarious position IU finds itself in.
Delphi Bracketology:
- Delphi places IU as a No. 9 seed, aligning with some other projections but emphasizing the need for a strong finish.
On3.com:
- On3.com sees IU as the last team receiving a bye, underscoring the thin margin between making and missing the tournament.
1-3-1 Sports:
- Known for accurate predictions, 1-3-1 Sports has IU as the top No. 10 seed, suggesting they’re on the bubble but still in the mix.
Final Thoughts
Indiana's path to the NCAA tournament is still very much in their hands. With a couple of key wins down the stretch, they can solidify their spot and avoid the anxiety of being on the bubble. As always, March Madness is full of surprises, and the Hoosiers will be looking to make some noise come tournament time.