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

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Record: 20-12 (12-6)

 

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.

Record: 17-16 (7-13)

 

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.

Record: 23-10 (13-7)

 

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.

Record: 19-13 (10-10)

 

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.

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Record: 24-10 (14-6)

 

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.

Record: 19-13 (10-10)

 

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.

Record: 17-14 (7-13)

 

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.

Record: 18-15 (7-13)

 

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.

Record: 19-14 (11-9)

 

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.

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Record: 20-12 (12-6)

 

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.