Bubble Teams 2012: Major Programs That Need Deep Conference Tournament Runs

Nothing is worse for a college basketball team than being referred to as a "bubble team." It is nerve-wracking and forces you to start scoreboard watching instead of being able to focus on the task at hand. 

That is the price you pay when you aren't able to pad your resume enough before the conference tournaments begin. We have seen teams use the week leading up to Selection Sunday as an unofficial audition for the committee. 

Here are some of the bubble teams in major conferences that need strong showings this week to ensure they have their tickets punched to the Big Dance. 

Northwestern (18-12, 8-10 in Big Ten)

Of all the teams on the bubble, Northwestern seems to have the sentimental vote among fans and analysts. The program has never made the NCAA tournament despite being on the bubble in each of the last two years. 

The Wildcats won 17 games last season before the Big Ten tournament, then defeated Minnesota in the first round. If that wasn't good enough to get them in, they know that they have to take care of business with at least two wins this year. 

They do have an impressive win against Michigan State back in January. The problem is, they really have nothing else to present the selection committee. They need to make it to the semifinals of the conference tournament to get their first invite to the Big Dance. 

Connecticut (19-12, 8-10 in Big East)

A miracle run in the Big East tournament last year carried the Huskies to a national championship. But this is a completely different team, and they need a lot of help just to get in the NCAA tournament. 

Their reputation will not save them this year, especially with a 4-9 record in their last 13 games. It is not going to be an easy climb for the Huskies. The most impressive win on their resume came against Florida State back in November. 

They got off to a good start with an 81-67 victory over DePaul on Tuesday. Their work is far from over, though. 

The committee focuses on how these teams are playing now instead of looking at their whole body of work, which doesn't bode well for the Huskies. 

Texas (19-12, 9-9 in Big 12)

Unlike the first two teams on this list, Texas doesn't have one big win to present to the selection committee, at least not yet. A deep run in the Big 12 tournament can erase that and get this team into the Big Dance. 

The Longhorns can't just coast by with one victory over Iowa State in the first round, because they have already beaten them this season. It is going to take a special effort by this team against Missouri in the semifinals, assuming the Tigers make it that far.

They have exchanged wins and losses with the likes of Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Kansas State, which makes it even harder to evaluate just how good the Longhorns really are. On the surface, they aren't a tournament team. Two wins this week could change all that. 

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