CBB: Texas still has work to do

UCLA (19-12, 12-6): The Bruins are a very weird bubble team because they are just barely in the NCAA Tournament field, and yet they finished in second place in the Pac-12. UCLA struggled at the beginning of the year and they have been trying to catch up ever since. I think the Bruins will be a lock for the tournament if they can win one game in the Pac-12 Tournament. The Bruins will face either California or Stanford on Thursday, March 12 in Las Vegas.

Texas (19-12, 9-9): The Longhorns just need to get to 20 wins and they should be safe. Texas had a chance to get that final win on Saturday versus NIT-bound Oklahoma State, and yet the Horns looked horrible, falling 81-59 on their home floor. Shaka Smart's team must put that in the past, though, as they prepare for the Big 12 Tournament. The Longhorns face rival Texas Tech on Thursday, March 12. If they win that, I think they get into the tournament.

Indiana (19-12, 9-11): The Hoosiers are in a similar boat as Texas. Both teams are searching for one more win which would likely make them a lock. Indiana had a chance to get a huge résumé-building victory on Saturday night versus #24 Wisconsin, but they fell 60-56 at home. It's not the end of the world but that win would have put Archie Miller's team in the field of 68. Now, they'll have to wait for the Big Ten Tournament, likely against Nebraska.

South Carolina (18-13, 10-8): The Gamecocks are the first team on this list that isn't projected to be in the field. Even though UCLA, Texas, and Indiana have work to do, they're probably going to get in. South Carolina, on the other hand, has to win at least two games to have a shot. South Carolina is just 2-3 in their last five games and they will have to beat either Arkansas or Vanderbilt and then LSU to feel safe. The SEC Tournament starts on March 11.

Syracuse (17-14, 10-10): The Orange are the furthest team from being in according to our list, but that doesn't mean that they're out of it yet. After a terrible first half of the year, Syracuse has played well against ACC foes, and because of that, there's still a chance for them. The Orange will need at least two wins in the ACC Tournament to be in the field and those will have to come against Virginia Tech or North Carolina and then Louisville.

Photo Credit: Burnt Orange Nation.