With the NCAA Tournament only weeks away, The Gaming Juice’s resident Bracket Big Board steward will occasionally break down teams living in Bubbleville, discussing their standing and what’s needed to escape the sweat on Selection Sunday.
UCLA Bruins
| Record | 14-6 |
| NET | 42 |
| SOS | 38 |
| Quad 1 | 2-5 |
| BBB Seed | No. 10 |
Mick Cronin would probably act curmudgeonly while soaking up rays on Waikiki, but the always ticked coach has to be at least somewhat pleased with the positive direction his club is taking -- even down Skyy Clark. On the outside of the Bracket Big Board just days ago, John Wooden U vaulted into the projected field earlier this week after nipping Purdue inside Pauley.
The Bruins sport a rather ‘mid’ profile since January 1. At a meager No. 55 overall on BartTorvik during the stretch, they’re 100+ in effective field goal percentage offense and defense. A closer inspection, they’ve greatly underperformed on the glass while defending the post, giving up 56.9% from two (No. 309 nationally).
BartTorvik gives UCLA a 65.4% chance of earning an NCAA Tournament auto bid. With ample Quad 1 opportunities remaining, it will have plenty of chances to bolster the profile. It’s mid-February gauntlet (at Michigan, at Michigan State, vs. Illinois) is its most challenging stretch. Even going 1-2 over that span could bring a smile to Cronin’s always grumpy face.
Next three games: at Oregon, vs. Indiana, vs. Rutgers
USC Trojans
| Record | 14-5 |
| NET | 42 |
| SOS | 59 |
| Quad 1 | 1-3 |
| BBB Seed | No. 11 |
Staying in Hollywood's backyard, the Trojans are racking up the Razzie nominations. The Worst Picture candidate sports a straight-to-stream profile. Without a single Quadrant 1 win on the resume and currently mired in a two-game losing streak, the Trojans' once formidable phalanx has succumbed to hard opponent charges.
At north of 70+ on BartTorvik in games played this month (No. 73), the Muss Bus is dealing with all kinds of mechanical issues. Standout freshman Albert Arenas' activation was encouraging, but dropping an inexcusable home game to previously Big Ten winless Northwestern was a craptastic defeat. As it currently stands, it was a Q2 loss, but with the Wildcats teetering on the Q2-Q3 line, it could morph into a resume black eye come Selection Sunday.
Defensively, 'Fight On' has played respectably. However, putting ball through basket paints a far uglier picture. In its last six games, USC is No. 341 in effective field-goal percentage offense, shooting an abysmal 22.7% from distance. Exacerbating the downturn due to self-inflicted wounds (22.7% TO offense), the Trojans are in a dark place.
With only a 14.2% chance to make the postseason as an at-large on Torvik, USC is slowly bleeding out. ... or so we thought. Its improbable Quad 1 road win as a heavy underdog in Madison may have just flipped the season script. Tourniquet applied.
Next three games: at Iowa, vs. Rutgers, vs. Indiana
Texas Longhorns
| Record | 11-8 |
| NET | 40 |
| SOS | 67 |
| Quad 1 | 3-5 |
| BBB Seed | First four OUT |
Deep in the heart of Texas, the Shiner Bocks are flowing after the Longhorns' second-half dismantling of nationally ranked Georgia last Saturday. The 'Horns trampled UGA after the mid-game siesta, outscoring it 57-30. Power forward Dailyn Swain kenneled the Bulldogs, netting 10-of-12 from inside the arc racking 26 points and five steals.
Sean Miller's group was largely pedestrian prior to conference play. However, at No. 35 on Torvik since the calendar flipped to 2026, buckets have constantly rained. The 'Horns have tallied 1.277 points per possession in their last seven contests, the ninth-highest mark in the college game. Exceptional on the offensive glass thanks to the efforts of glass waxer Matas Vokietaitis, Texas has really cleaned up on second chances during the stretch.
Texas' odds of earning an at-large are skyrocketing. Now better than a 55% chance of doing exactly that, they're likely to catapult into the projected Bracket Big Board field in short order. With victories against Alabama, Vanderbilt and Georgia in their last five and another massive opportunity on the immediate horizon inside Neville Arena (Auburn), Bevo is sharpening his horns. Finish .500 or better in SEC play and Hook 'em should shake its money maker come March.
Next three games: at Auburn, at Oklahoma, vs. South Carolina