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March Madness 2023 bracket: 3 teams that could drop out of the field in Champ Week

By David Smith

MADISON, WISCONSIN - MARCH 02: Connor Essegian #3 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after hitting a three-point shot during the second half of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Kohl Center on March 02, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - MARCH 02: Connor Essegian #3 of the Wisconsin Badgers reacts after hitting a three-point shot during the second half of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Kohl Center on March 02, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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March madness
Nevada Wolf Pack. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /

Champ Week is here and the March Madness bubble is getting smaller and smaller. Which three teams could fall out of the tournament with a loss this week?

Selection Sunday is less than one week away, and the bubble continues to shrink as we inch closer to having the finalized March Madness bracket. Bubble teams feel a certain pressure to win, knowing an initial loss could end their tournament hopes. All of these teams control their own destiny, they have to avoid one thing: losing.

The first round of heartbreak is seen on conference tournament week, but which teams could suffer that fate before Selection Sunday arrives?

The bubble is made up of teams with almost a 50-50 shot to make the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team and that hinges largely on what they can accomplish in their respective conference tournaments.

This is a look at Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology Bubble:

  • Last Four Byes: Pittsburgh, NC State, Auburn, Rutgers
  • Last Four In: Mississippi State, Nevada, Wisconsin, Penn State
  • First Four Out: Utah State, Clemson, Oklahoma State, Arizona State
  • Next Four Out: Michigan, North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Oregon

The question remains, which of these teams are doomed if they lose their next game? Let’s take a look at three that could see their bubble burst during Champ Week.

March Madness: 3 teams that could drop out of Field of 68 during Champ Week

3. Nevada Wolf Pack

Looking at the bubble, mid-major teams have a tougher time stacking up against the power conference teams. Mid-major teams suffer from playing weaker competition on a regular basis, and Nevada is a prime example of that.

The Wolf Pack are trending in the wrong direction, heading into the Mountain West Tournament after back-to-back losses, and looking at a matchup against a tough San Jose State team.

Nevada has faced San Jose State twice this season, winning both games by an average of 21 points per contest. If Nevada were to win that game, they’re set up with a potential matchup against No. 1 seed San Diego State. However, if they lose, they can kiss their March Madness hopes goodbye.

It’s no guarantee that a win over San Jose State secures their spot in the bracket, but a win against San Diego State would.