THIS WEEK'S BUBBLE BLOG

By John Williams

Michigan, now 0-7 versus top 25 teams, is still in the conversation for a potential bubble bid. It’s a team whose ship is sinking and barely keeping themselves afloat and the Wolverines latest loss to Wisconsin stings.

A little over an hour away sits the Spartans in East Lansing, who’ve look rejuvenated and reborn, but they’re 1-7 versus top 25 teams. They’ve played an excruciatingly difficult schedule and their RPI will ultimately catapult them to an NCAA tournament bid.

Next is Minnesota. A team that has underachieved for most of the year and plays below their actual physical ability has won 3 games versus top 25 teams, but without Al Nolen it’ll be hard for them to keep up, especially in the Big Ten tournament.

Here’s a list of the Big Ten teams destined for a tournament appearance:

Ohio State.

Purdue.

Wisconsin.

Illinois.

Michigan State.

Minnesota.

This would be a shame for Penn State because they’re currently 8-8 in the Big Ten and have better conferences records than all three of the above bubble teams. They’ve also been shooting much better as of late, but Andrew Jones (and God-forbid that Billy Oliver even touches the floor) will have his hands full versus Ohio State and Jared Sullinger. But come Selection Sunday, Penn State won’t be noticed.

Michigan is also one of the youngest teams in the country. There are no fourth year starters on the team and they don’t score nearly enough points as they have in the past. They’re 10th in the Big Ten in scoring. The game plan for Michigan is simple – get the ball to Darius Morris.

It’ll be an uphill battle for both Michigan and Penn State, but either is capable of making a run – notching some wins in the Big Ten tournament will help – and punching their ticket to the Big Dance.

Originally published on Friday, Feb. 25 at 12:59 p.m.