NCAA Tournament Bubble Watch: Feb. 23

Atlantic Coast Conference

Locks: North Carolina, Duke, Clemson, Wake Forest, Florida State

The top of the ACC is loaded, and Florida State was able to add their name to the list of locks with a thrilling win over Virginia Tech. Don't worry North Carolina fans. You are still in shape for a one seed, and there is a possibility Duke will join you after a solid performance against Wake Forest. 

Close to being in: Boston College

Boston College has two solid wins against North Carolina and Duke and really no weak losses aside from Harvard. If they get out of ACC play with a winning record, the Eagles should earn themselves a spot in the Dance.

Still Alive: Maryland, Miami 

Maryland kept their hopes alive with a great overtime time win against North Carolina, but there are still a lot of holes in the Terps' résumé. The win against Michigan State is looking better, but other than that, there is an absence of strong wins. A strong showing in the ACC tournament might be able to secure a spot for Gary Williams' squad.  

Miami began the season full of hope, but after some struggles midseason, they find themselves on the outside looking in. In order for them to have a chance come Selection Sunday, they need to win out in conference, partnered with a strong showing in the ACC tournament.  

Big East

Locks: Pitt, Connecticut, Villanova, Louisville, Marquette, Syracuse

Yes, Syracuse struggled in early January, but they are still going to get out of the Big East with a winning record, which this year should be enough. If it comes down to Syracuse and a mediocre mid-major program, the Orange is a more appealing choice. Pitt and UConn should both be locks for one seeds barring early exits from the Big East tournament.  

Close to being in: West Virginia

Like Syracuse, if West Virginia can get out of Big East play with a winning record, they should find a way to squeeze in. However, once they are in, don't count them out, as any Big East team has the opportunity to do some damage. 

Still Alive: Georgetown

Georgetown may be the only team with a losing record that can potentially lock up an at-large bid; however, it all comes down the upcoming showdown with Louisville. Without adding that win to their résumé, the Hoyas will have trouble securing a spot without running the table in New York.

Big Ten

Locks: Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue

Michigan State struggled against Purdue but has a strong enough résumé to make a case for a two seed. Illinois was embarrassed by Penn State when they were only able to put up 33 points at home, but that will do nothing more than drop the Illini a seed.

Close to being in: Wisconsin, Ohio State, Minnesota

Each of these programs probably needs to add one or two more wins in conference to erase some of the recent losses they have each suffered to far inferior teams. The Badgers, Buckeyes, and Gophers all have good computer numbers, so if it comes down to that, each of these teams looks set.

Still Alive: Michigan, Penn State

Michigan and Penn State have both stayed alive solely because of solid wins in conference. The Wolverines have two good non-conferences wins against Duke and UCLA, but unless they can find a way to win on the road (2-6), they won't be going anywhere. Penn State will need to beat Illinois and Ohio State in order to make up for the abysmal non-conference schedule.  

Big 12

Locks: Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri

Missouri has quietly asserted itself as one of the country's top 10 programs and may be able to make a jump in the Big 12 after Texas and Oklahoma beat each other up in a thriller. Oklahoma will now have to prove that they are more than just the Blake Griffin Show.  

Close to being in: Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State is still alive and well solely because of their nearly impossible schedule. It is true they didn't win any of their tough games, but as a result, their numbers look good, and sometimes that is all that matters. One more win against one of the four lock teams might turn the Cowboys into a lock themselves. 

Still Alive: None

Pac-10

Locks: Washington, Arizona State

Washington has taken care of business quietly and has landed themselves sole possession of first in the Pac-10. Arizona State still has enough games left to play that they can take over first place from the Huskies, but these are really the only two Pac-10 teams that have done their jobs all year. 

Close to being in: UCLA, Arizona, California

Call me crazy, but UCLA's best win is Washington, followed by either Miami of Ohio or Notre Dame. That doesn't sound like an automatic lock yet. They have talent and played a tough schedule, but let them prove that they should be playing in March by doing something in their conference tournament.  

Still Alive: USC

USC has played a difficult schedule, but they have not really done anything with it. In order for them to keep their chances alive, they need to win at least two games in the Pac-10 tourney, as well as at least three of their remaining four conference games.

SEC

Locks: None

That's right. There is no one in the SEC that is a definite to be playing in the tournament. One team will have to win the conference tournament, but remember, it could be Georgia.

Close to being in: LSU, Tennessee

The Tigers are 11-1 in conference, but that is not saying much. Tennessee has the hardest schedule in the country, and they have enough good wins that the only way they should be left out would be the result of a historical collapse. The wins over Marquette and Siena are looking better and better, and they can only root for Georgetown to help their RPI.

Still Alive: Florida, Kentucky

Kentucky dismantled the Vols at home to keep their March hopes alive, but they have been very inconsistent throughout the season. A win over either LSU or Florida and a win in the SEC tournament can position the Wildcats to go dancing, even after an early season shocker from VMI.

Other

Locks: Memphis, Gonzaga, Xavier, Butler, Utah

Memphis is clearly the class of the "other" conferences, and Gonzaga just wrapped up its ninth consecutive league title. Butler should be fine as long as they can avoid any more conference slip-ups, and the win against Davidson should help out their seeding. Xavier has recently been struggling, but they did enough earlier this year to assure themselves as a lock.  

Close to being in: Siena, UNLV, BYU, Dayton, Utah State

Siena scheduled tough this year, and although they didn't win any of their big games, their numbers look good, and they have done everything else they have needed to do in conference. A win against Northern Iowa doesn't hurt. Utah State has just suffered two losses, which, because of their weak numbers, put them on the bubble with the rest of the mid-majors.

Dayton is very close to becoming a lock. They just need to win the games they are supposed to against the bottom of the A-10, and that should be enough given their success from earlier this year.

Still Alive: UAB, Creighton, Davidson, St. Mary's

St. Mary's and Davidson boast two of the nation's best players in Stephen Curry and Patty Mills; however, because of recent injuries to both stars, the Wildcats and the Gaels have suffered losses that may hurt come Selection Sunday.  If Patty Mills comes back for the WCC tournament, he can impress the committee and find the Gaels a spot.

Davidson might just have to rely on Stephen Curry taking over in SoCon's conference tournament even though they boast great numbers as a result of a challenging schedule that included Oklahoma and Duke. Although they won't admit it, the committee will do anything to get Stephen Curry back in the tournament