Go Joe Bruin
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March Madness: The Go Joe Bruin Bracketology – Update 6

By Jake Liker

Mar 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Elgin Cook (23) reaches in front of UCLA Bruins forward Gyorgy Goloman (14) for a rebound in the second half of the game at Pauley Pavilion. Oregon won 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Elgin Cook (23) reaches in front of UCLA Bruins forward Gyorgy Goloman (14) for a rebound in the second half of the game at Pauley Pavilion. Oregon won 76-68. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 27, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) tries to lay the ball up to the basket during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Marriott Center. Gonzaga Bulldogs won the game 71-68. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Domantas Sabonis (11) tries to lay the ball up to the basket during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Marriott Center. Gonzaga Bulldogs won the game 71-68. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

Bubble Watch

Below are the key stats for 16 bubble teams. I’ve also added UCLA at the bottom to illustrate just how bad things have become for the Bruins.

A closer look at 16 bubble teams (and UCLA). Green squares are a team’s strengths, red squares are a team’s weaknesses. Teams above the first bold black line are projected to make the tournament. Credit: Jake Liker
A closer look at 16 bubble teams (and UCLA). Green squares are a team’s strengths, red squares are a team’s weaknesses. Teams above the first bold black line are projected to make the tournament. Credit: Jake Liker /

More from Go Joe Bruin

Why would the committee pick Gonzaga over Syracuse? After all, the Bulldogs have a worse RPI, worse strength of schedule, and no top 50 wins, compared to ‘Cuse’s four.

The computer knows all; it’s not a coincidence that all three computer rankings have Gonzaga as a top 30 team. Those rankings are favorable because all seven of the Bulldogs’ losses were by single-digit margins, and six of those seven were by five points or fewer. Their losses, with RPI ranks of opponents included:

  • 60-69 at #11 SMU
  • 61-62 vs #22 Texas A&M
  • 63-68 vs #25 Arizona
  • 67-70 at #35 St. Mary’s
  • 58-63 vs #35 St. Mary’s
  • 68-69 vs #73 BYU
  • 66-71 vs #98 UCLA

I remember when we beat Gonzaga and it was a big deal. Those were the days. We even beat Kentucky and Arizona.

Next: Isaac Hamilton, Bryce Alford Receive Pac-12 Honors

The Bruins have it in them. They have to find that spark by the time they get to Vegas, or this season will be history.