Bubble games to watch for March Madness: SEC, Big Ten teams facing must wins

All games are important in college basketball, but Saturday is the first day of March, and while that means the madness is just around the corner, the pressure is ramped up for teams trying to make the NCAA Tournament.

Life on the bubble isn’t fun, as teams can’t say with certainty their spot in the field of 68 is secure. However, they can feel a bit more comfortable if they generate some momentum. Winning helps, and pulling out Quad 1 victories can be even more rewarding. A loss and teams become closer toward pressing the panic button, especially if its against a lowly opponent.

Luckily, most teams on the fringe of the bracket in the latest USA TODAY Sports Bracketology don’t have matchups against high-caliber teams, meaning a necessary yet easy victory is likely in store this weekend. But some bubble teams have a golden opportunity to boost their stock, including one contest that features two squads in desperate need of beating each other. Here are the bubble games to watch this weekend.

Georgia at Texas

Time/TV: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2

The unofficial “bubble game of the week,” both Texas and Georgia are hanging in the balance as they each have tried to weather the SEC gauntlet. The Bulldogs entered the week on a four-game losing streak and fell out of the bracket picture on Tuesday, but hopes were revived with the wild home win over Florida. On the opposite side, Texas is in a bad slump with five losses in the last six outings, including a bad loss to conference cellar-dweller South Carolina. Currently, Texas is projected to be an No. 11 seed and Georgia is among the first four out. The Bulldogs have the most to gain from the matchup as its a Quad 1 opportunity. Win, and they would improve to 4-11 in such games, giving them the same amount of wins in the quadrant as the Longhorns (it’s a Quad 2 game for Texas). The key will be if Texas’ defense can finally help out the offense, especially since Georgia is coming off a game where it shot 53.8% from the field, the best shooting night it’s had in SEC play.

Creighton at Xavier

Time/TV: Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox

The Musketeers have stayed in the tournament picture thanks mostly to handling business against inferior teams, but they can add more to the resume when the Big East’s second place Creighton visits. The 1-8 Quad 1 record isn’t something Xavier can be proud of, and the matchup against the Bluejays is a chance for it to prove it can compete against solidified tournament teams. The last time Xavier defeated a team with a winning record was against Georgetown on Feb. 4. Creighton has won 11 of its last 13 games in the Big East, including a defeat of the Musketeers in January. If Xavier can turn the tables, it has a case to move out of first four out territory.

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Oklahoma at Mississippi

Time/TV: Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Every time a new Bracketology was released the past two weeks, Oklahoma flip flopped its position of in or out of the bracket. The Sooners found their way back in after beating Mississippi State last Saturday, but just missed out on solidifying their spot in a last-second loss to Kentucky. Now among the last four teams in, Oklahoma need a road win to keep its spot in the projected field. The Sooners have a 5-9 Quad 1 record, but is 1-6 in its last seven Quad 1 games.

Minnesota at Nebraska

Time/TV: Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

Nebraska was looking like a team about to clinch a tournament spot, but losses to Penn State and Michigan have moved the Cornhuskers to the First Four spot. On Saturday comes a very sneaky game against Minnesota. Although the Golden Gophers are not in tournament contention, but they’ve pulled some surprises, including defeats of Michigan, Oregon and both Southern California and UCLA. Since it’s a Quad 3 game for Nebraska, a loss would be catastrophic. With a trip to Ohio State coming next week, Nebraska can’t over look the Golden Gophers at home.

Indiana at Washington

Time/TV: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, Peacock

Look who’s back in the picture even though it’s going to need a new coach for next season. Indiana has won three of it last four, including impressive defeats of Michigan State and Purdue. The Hoosiers now head West for the first time this season. Saturday’s game against Washington is a Quad 2 game, but not falling for the trap against the Huskies would give Indiana a perfect 14-0 record in non-Quad 1 games. The No. 56 NET ranking and 4-11 Quad 1 record don’t help, but the offense can continue its momentum going against a team that’s given up at least 85 points in its last three games.

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