After a brief lull, this Saturday brings an exciting lineup of thirteen bubble games, featuring two high-stakes “double bubble” matchups. Given the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) stronghold on college basketball this season, it’s fitting that five of the featured bubble games include SEC teams.

The Big East set a record in 2011 by sending 11 teams to the NCAA Tournament, a number the SEC is poised to challenge this year. Whether they can match or surpass this record hinges on the performance of their bubble teams as the season unfolds.

So far, I haven’t projected fewer than 12 SEC teams in my brackets, with the latest showing 13 and the previous one hitting 14. However, I believe maintaining such a high number is unlikely with numerous games still on the schedule; realistically, the final count of SEC teams is more likely to align closer to 11 than 14. At this point, it would be surprising if the SEC does not at least equal the 2011 Big East record.

NCAA March Madness Men’s Bracket Preview 2025: Where to watch the show on CBS, live stream, online channel access

David Cobb

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All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET)

Saturday’s “Double Bubble” Matches

West Virginia at Baylor

2 p.m. (ESPN2)

West Virginia finds itself on the bubble after losing five of its last seven matches, compounded by the absence of star player Tucker DeVries, who is sidelined for the season due to a shoulder injury. They have a manageable schedule ahead, but it’s crucial for them to start racking up wins.

Baylor also has a favorable slate, facing off against Arizona and Houston at home. A strong finish of 5-2 would position them well heading into the Big 12 tournament.

Wake Forest at SMU

6 p.m. (ACC Network)

This matchup is another significant “double bubble” game, particularly for SMU. While the Mustangs possess a solid record, they are in desperate need of quality victories. Their only noteworthy win, against Pittsburgh, came earlier this week. If they defeat Wake Forest, the Demon Deacons would replace Pittsburgh as SMU’s best victory of the season.

Wake Forest saw its three-game winning streak end with a loss to Florida State on Wednesday. The Demon Deacons cannot afford to have another slip-up, as their only Quad 1 win thus far was against Michigan. A win over SMU would mark their second quality victory.

Additional Bubble Teams Competing Saturday

Arkansas

at Texas A&M, Noon (ESPN)

Coming off three wins in four games, Arkansas has positioned itself on the bubble with crucial victories against top-tier opponents like Kentucky and Texas. As they face a challenging road schedule, continuing their strong away performance is vital if they are to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Vanderbilt

at Tennessee, 1 p.m. (SEC Network)

Vanderbilt has found itself in bubble territory after dropping four of its last six games. Their upcoming schedule is tough, with three of the next four games on the road against top-seeded teams. Although they perform well at home, securing at least one road victory will be crucial to maintain their tournament hopes.

Georgia

vs. Missouri, 3:30 p.m. (SEC Network)

Georgia has faced challenges recently, losing seven of its last nine games, placing them in jeopardy of slipping from the tournament picture. This encounter is the third in a tough stretch of five consecutive games against top-25 teams, and a loss to Missouri could significantly hinder their path to qualification.

Cincinnati

at Iowa State, 4 p.m. (ESPN2)

Cincinnati has made a run with three consecutive wins that have landed them on the bubble. However, maintaining that position will be challenging. They need notable victories, and while this matchup offers an important opportunity, more significant challenges await, including a future game against Houston.

Oklahoma

vs. LSU, 6 p.m. (SEC Network)

Oklahoma has faced recent struggles, losing four of their last five games, placing them on the bubble. This matchup against a non-contender in the SEC is crucial, as they have only one more game scheduled against another bubble team. It’s imperative for Oklahoma to perform strongly at home to stabilize their tournament aspirations.

Texas

vs. Kentucky, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Texas’ path to the tournament has become precarious after four losses in the last five games. With a record now three games below .500 against the top three quadrants, they face a daunting challenge; historically, no team has made the tournament with such a deficit. A 4-2 finish is essential for them to improve their prospects as they head into the SEC Tournament.

BYU

vs. Kansas State, 9 p.m. (ESPN+)

While BYU is currently on the bubble, Kansas State is experiencing a surge at a convenient time. Although the Cougars suffered a tough loss at Cincinnati, they rallied with a victory over rival Utah. BYU needs to secure higher-quality wins, which this matchup may not provide, and they must perform well against teams they are favored to defeat.

San Diego State

vs. Boise State, 10 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

San Diego State boasts impressive victories over teams like Houston and Creighton, but they’ll need more wins to solidify their status. Upcoming road games against Utah State and a home encounter with New Mexico will be critical in their aim for a successful finish.

Gonzaga

vs. Pepperdine, 10 p.m. (ESPN+)

Gonzaga, while consistently performing well, has yet to fully translate that into a robust resume. They’ve achieved wins against solid teams like Baylor, San Diego State, and Indiana, yet those teams are currently on the bracket’s edge. They face Saint Mary’s next weekend, and it’s crucial for Gonzaga to capitalize on all remaining matchups.

San Francisco

at San Diego, 10 p.m. (ESPN+)

San Francisco achieved a place on the bubble by defeating Saint Mary’s, but they nearly missed their chance with a close call at LMU. They may need to win out but must certainly remain strong until they host Gonzaga in their regular-season finale.

Saint Mary’s

vs. Washington State, 10 p.m. (ESPN2)

The Gaels are a few victories away from likely solidifying their position but must tread carefully. Beyond Gonzaga, any further losses could significantly impede their progress. Washington State can be a challenging opponent but will be entering this matchup eager to succeed.

Teams on the Bubble

NCAA Tournament Locks

Locks by Resume: 3 | Automatic Bids Secured: 0

Note: All references to NCAA Tournament records and trends based on NET rankings exclude the 2021 tournament due to its unique circumstances resulting from abbreviated schedules and limited non-conference games, making those rankings less reliable.