In the midst of a thrilling day of conference tournament action, the NCAA Bubble Watch intensifies as teams vie for their spot in the Big Dance. With several teams near the cut line securing crucial wins and others falling short, the selection committee faces tough decisions on who will make it into the tournament.

As the postgame analysis unfolds and the bracket takes shape, experts are delving into the NET rating classification to evaluate team performances. The committee classifies wins based on four quadrants, ranging from Quad 1 (home wins against top-ranked teams) to Quad 4 (wins against lower-ranked teams).

Among the teams on the bubble, the St. John's Red Storm stand out with their impressive predictive metrics and ten wins in the top two quadrants. However, their resume is lacking a solid victory against a team assured of making the tournament, leaving their fate uncertain. A victory against UConn would certainly boost their chances.

Seton Hall, on the other hand, boasts five Quad 1 victories. Yet, their overall record in non-Quad 4 games is less impressive, and they suffer from a relatively weak non-conference strength of schedule. As they anxiously await their fate, it's going to be a nerve-wracking couple of days for the Pirates.

After a big win against Boise State, New Mexico finds itself with six wins against teams in the tournament field, giving them a stronger case than most bubble teams. However, a Quad 4 loss and a lower non-conference strength of schedule could potentially weigh against their chances. Nonetheless, their impressive NET ranking at 23rd provides some hope.

Texas A&M faces an uphill battle with five Quad 3 losses, which historically raises concerns for making the tournament. Nevertheless, their 12-8 record in the top two quadrants and challenging non-conference schedule give them a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.

Colorado presents an interesting case, with strong metrics but only one win against a team in the tournament field. Their struggles in Quad 1 games and relatively low non-conference strength of schedule raise questions about their candidacy. The selection committee will surely scrutinize their case further.

Providence now finds itself closer to the cut line after a significant victory against Creighton. With six Quad 1 victories, the Friars have made a strong case for themselves. However, their subpar record in non-Quad 4 games may hinder their chances.

Unfortunately, Thursday did not favor the Indiana State Sycamores, as they face an uphill battle with just one Quad 1 win and increased competition from other bubble teams. Though their metrics stand strong, their chances of making the tournament seem uncertain.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, dealt a blow to Wake Forest's bubble hopes with a crucial win. With a solid 9-8 record in the top two quadrants, the Panthers have a strong foundation. However, only two wins against teams in the tournament field and a weak non-conference strength of schedule may raise concerns.

As the conference tournaments unfold, the NCAA Selection Committee faces the daunting task of determining which teams deserve the coveted spots in the tournament. With conference champions snatching automatic bids, the competition for at-large bids becomes fiercer by the day.

The projections provided are based on games played through March 14, 2024, and the final decisions may include some minor tweaks. As bubble teams anxiously await their fate, it remains crucial to remember that deserving teams may ultimately be left out. The next couple of days promise to be filled with anticipation and speculation as Selection Sunday approaches.

In the Big 12, nine teams appear to have secured their spots, including Baylor, BYU, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas, and Texas Tech. The SEC boasts eight teams, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.

The Big Ten features six representatives, namely Illinois, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, and Wisconsin. The Mountain West also has six teams in contention, with Boise State, Colorado State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, and Utah State vying for bids.

The Big East is represented by five teams on the bubble, including Connecticut, Creighton, Marquette, St. John's, and Seton Hall. The ACC has four teams fighting for at-large bids, with Clemson, Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia in the mix.

Other conferences with multiple teams in contention include the American (Florida Atlantic and South Florida), Atlantic 10 (Dayton and VCU), Pac-12 (Arizona and Washington State), and West Coast (Gonzaga and Saint Mary's*).

As the excitement builds, fans and teams alike are eagerly awaiting the final verdict on Selection Sunday, where the dreams of some will be fulfilled and others left shattered. The NCAA Bubble Watch continues, and the countdown to the unveiling of the tournament field grows increasingly intense.