Bubble talk? Pop It already!
Every year it seems that Bubble talk and speculation starts creeping further and further forward in the College Basketball Season. What is a bubble? Who’s on the bubble now? How can you get off the bubble? Why call it a bubble? Is Gonzaga on the bubble after losing 3 games in conference? Is UW on the bubble after winning 5 out of 6? Are the Cougs completely off the bubble?
Right now, every team in the country who is not named North Carolina, Ohio State, Florida, Wisconsin or UCLA is on the bubble. You can’t tell me that any other team losses their last 6 games and the opening game of the conference tournament that they would still be guaranteed a spot in the big dance? There is plenty of season left for this state’s big three to make or break their postseason destinies.
Last night UW hosted Wazzu in a game that could have gone a long way in establishing the Huskies credentials when it comes selection time. The Huskies have a critical stretch of games against ranked teams: Wazzu, Pitt, Oregon, UCLA and USC. Their loss to the Cougs puts their 4th straight tourney appearance on life support - unless they can run the table, or win the most competitive Pac 10 tournament ever.
Gonzaga, who is still reeling from last weekends stunning arrests of Josh Heytvelt and Theo Davis, has a critical matchup on Saturday in Spokane against #8 Memphis. Despite the ups and downs on this years brutal road trips, a win over Memphis would be their 5th win over a ranked team, the most in the Zags history.
The Cougs completed the Washington sweep, which Gonzaga has owned 6 out of the last 8 years) and is without a doubt the best team in the state. They still have work left to do and are gunning for their first Pac 10 title ever. I think the Cougs actually make this happen. They have USC/UCLA at home the final weekend of the season.