College Basketball Bubble Watch: Oregon needs a win

CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines reacts on the bench against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on November 29, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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MURRAY, KY – NOVEMBER 13: Middle Tennessee guard Antwain Johnson (2) guards Murray State guard Jonathan Stark (2) during the college basketball game between the Murray State Racers and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on November 13, 2017 at the CFSB Center in Murray, KY. (Photo by Stephen Furst/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders

As always, one of the main bubble questions all season long will be what an excellent mid-major team like Middle Tennessee State has to do in order to get an at-large bid if it were to lose in the Conference USA Tournament. There could be some clarity this week with the Blue Raiders facing a crucial non-conference stretch.

Kermit Davis has transformed the Blue Raiders into a Conference USA powerhouse with 56 wins over the past two years, including a pair of first-round upsets in the NCAA Tournament. Middle Tennessee State is at it again this season with a 5-1 start including a pair of wins over Atlantic Sun favorite Florida Gulf Coast, with the only loss coming by six points to Belmont.

While Belmont is a steady program, every loss is very damaging for a mid-major team’s at-large hopes, meaning the Blue Raiders might have to win out in nonconference play. Week four provides the toughest schedule to date, with Middle Tennessee traveling to Vanderbilt on Wednesday before hosting Ole Miss over the weekend.

Davis’ team has been strong defensively during its current two-year run, and has surrendered the fewest field goals in college basketball this year while dominating the glass. Alabama transfer Nick King has provided the offense with 24.3 points per game, shredding his previous career high mark of 7.2.

Neither SEC opponent this week is particularly great, but could provide an important resume boost for the Blue Raiders nonetheless.