Bracketology: Bubble Teams That Will Sneak into March Madness

With Selection Sunday just around the corner, bubble teams will be making a last-ditch effort to secure a spot in March Madness.

As Northwestern showed on Wednesday against Ohio State, teams have a way of raising their level of play once March comes around.

Here's a look at the teams I see barely sneaking into the NCAA tournament in 2012.

Xavier Musketeers (18-11, 9-6 Atlantic 10)

The Musketeers have had some rough losses, including against the Saint Louis Billikens on Tuesday, but they do have some quality wins and they beat their only ranked opponent, then-No. 19 Vanderbilt, on Nov. 28.

This team, led by Tu Holloway and Mark Lyons, has the ability to put up some points, and that won't be ignored come Selection Sunday, especially when they steamroll Charlotte on Saturday.

Texas Longhorns (19-11, 9-8 Big 12)

The Longhorns have had a rough season, but they've played all their ranked opponents tough, with the exception of North Carolina.

They've lost by five points to Baylor twice and lost by one point to Missouri on Jan. 30.

Led by J'Covan Brown, this team can score the basketball, averaging 73.7 points per game. They also are coming off two big wins, including a come-from-behind victory against Oklahoma.

Northwestern Wildcats (17-12, 7-10 Big Ten)

Despite a second-half slide, the Wildcats forced Michigan into overtime on Jan. 11, beat Michigan State three days later and played Indiana and Ohio State close.

They lost by just two points to Ohio State on a last-second bank shot by Jared Sullinger on Wednesday.

It depends on how the Selection Committee views this team. If it is going by wins and losses in the second half, the Wildcats will likely be left out. But something tells me their gritty game against the Buckeyes will do them wonders.

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