NCAAB · 7 months ago

Bubble Burst! Top 10 KenPom Snubs from March Madness NCAA Tourney

Grant White

Host · Writer

10. Santa Clara Broncos

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Record: 20-12 (12-6)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 57 | NET Ranking: 57

The Santa Clara Broncos were knocking at the door all season, but they couldn't find a way to compete with the best in the West Coast Conference. Their defensive structure was lacking to contain the usual juggernauts, and that was enough to convince the tournament to look elsewhere.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Record: 17-15 (9-11)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 39 | NET Ranking: 41

There aren't many positives from this year's campaign for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite ranking favorably in both the KenPom and NET rankings, the Buckeyes failed to put it all together on the court. Ohio State barely finished the season above .500, going 9-11 in Big Ten play. Maybe next year, Buckeyes fans.
2. Northwestern Wildcats
Record: 17-16 (7-13)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 45 | NET Ranking: 53

Everything was looking fine for the Northwestern Wildcats until they dove head-first into conference play. Northwestern started the campaign on a 10-3 run, losing 13 of its next 20 to fall outside of the NCAA Tournament picture. Despite their best efforts, the Wildcats came up short in the Big Ten Tournament.
3. SMU Mustangs
Record: 23-10 (13-7)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 47 | NET Ranking: 46

Despite a lackluster end to the regular season, the SMU Mustangs were firmly on the right side of the bubble heading into conference tournament action. Then a heartbreaking loss to the Clemson Tigers ended their tournament aspirations. The Mustangs will compete for the NIT, but that's little consolation for a team that finished 23-10.
4. Indiana Hoosiers
Record: 19-13 (10-10)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 48 | NET Ranking: 54

There's an argument to be made that the Indiana Hoosiers had a more impressive resume than some of the other teams included in the field of 68. But with six losses across a seven-game span late in the season, the tournament committee must have felt the Hoosiers were trending in the wrong direction.
5. Boise State Broncos

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Record: 24-10 (14-6)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 50 | NET Ranking: 44

Believe it or not, the Boise State Broncos controlled their own destiny ahead of Selection Sunday. Boise State was short favorites in the Mountain West Championship Game, ultimately bowing out to the Colorado State Rams. Their destiny was put in the hands of the selection committee, and the Broncos were left out of the field of 68.
6. West Virginia Mountaineers
Record: 19-13 (10-10)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 53 | NET Ranking: 51

Offensively, the West Virginia Mountaineers just couldn't match their defensive intensity. WVU had the 16th-best defensive efficiency rating in the country, falling to 116th on offense. A 4-4 record against the top 25 teams wasn't enough to convince the tournament committee they deserved inclusion.
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Record: 17-14 (7-13)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 54 | NET Ranking: 59

Everyone saw this one coming. The Nebraska Cornhuskers started the season on a nearly immaculate 12-2 stretch, falling flat on their faces in the latter stages of the campaign. Nebraska revived its tournament chances late, only for the same implosion to occur over the final games of the season.
8. Cincinnati Bearcats
Record: 18-15 (7-13)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 55 | NET Ranking: 50

People wanted to give the Cincinnati Bearcats a chance, but the Big 12 also-rans couldn't get out of their own way. The Bearcats struggled on offense, ranking 100th in offensive efficiency according to the KenPom rankings. Ultimately, their inability to convert opportunities cost them a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
9. Villanova Wildcats
Record: 19-14 (11-9)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 56 | NET Ranking: 55

The Villanova Wildcats put together a late stretch, knocking off some of the best teams in the Big East. Still, they were playing from a deficit. A deep run in the conference tournament would have convinced the tournament committee they were worthy of a berth. However, Villanova just couldn't put it all together.
10. Santa Clara Broncos

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Record: 20-12 (12-6)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 57 | NET Ranking: 57

The Santa Clara Broncos were knocking at the door all season, but they couldn't find a way to compete with the best in the West Coast Conference. Their defensive structure was lacking to contain the usual juggernauts, and that was enough to convince the tournament to look elsewhere.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.

Record: 17-15 (9-11)

AP Poll: N/R | Coaches Poll: N/R
KenPom: 39 | NET Ranking: 41

There aren't many positives from this year's campaign for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite ranking favorably in both the KenPom and NET rankings, the Buckeyes failed to put it all together on the court. Ohio State barely finished the season above .500, going 9-11 in Big Ten play. Maybe next year, Buckeyes fans.

Bubble Burst! Top 10 KenPom Snubs from March Madness NCAA Tourney

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