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College Basketball Bubble Watch: Week 13

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 23, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) handles the ball while TCU Horned Frogs guard Alex Robinson (25) defends during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Cowboys won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) handles the ball while TCU Horned Frogs guard Alex Robinson (25) defends during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Cowboys won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2017; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU head coach Jamie Dixon reacts during the playing of fight song following the Horned Frogs fourth loss in a row 88-80 to the Auburn Tigers at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Fort Worth, TX, USA; TCU head coach Jamie Dixon reacts during the playing of fight song following the Horned Frogs fourth loss in a row 88-80 to the Auburn Tigers at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

TCU Horned Frogs

Life on the bubble as a Big 12 team can be difficult, with different programs moving in and out of the projected NCAA Tournament field on a weekly basis. TCU is right on the cut line entering the weekend following a much-needed victory on Wednesday night.

After looking to be in good shape just two weeks ago, the Horned Frogs suffered a four-game losing streak that could have quickly derailed their season. Such down spells are going to happen in Big 12 play, but Saturday’s home loss to Auburn was the first really damaging defeat on TCU’s resume.

Jamie Dixon got his team to bounce back quickly with a crucial road overtime win at Kansas State, which is just ahead of TCU on the bubble. Now at 15-7 overall and 4-5 in Big 12 play with wins over the Wildcats and Iowa State, the Horned Frogs are building a resume worthy of tournament consideration.

A RPI rank of 41st puts TCU right on the bubble, and Ken Pomeroy’s efficiency ratings rank the Horned Frogs in a solid 35th. Still, the Horned Frogs can’t afford a loss to one of the bottom teams in the Big 12 over the rest of the season, and will need to pick up a few more wins against the rest of the conference bubble.

TCU faces an important week, as it needs to take care of business against Texas on Saturday before hosting a Texas Tech squad that is one of the first four teams out of the current projected field.