March Madness bubble watch: Miami (OH), Ohio State, Auburn all facing must-win games

It’s the final week of the regular season, and there are plenty of teams that still have a bit of work to do to ensure their spot in the NCAA tournament.

Here’s a look at six teams who could use another big win or two in order to either get off, or stay off of the bubble with Selection Sunday right around the corner.

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Why wouldn’t we start here? As the last undefeated team, it only makes sense that the RedHawks go first.

Like we said last week, a trip to the NCAA tournament isn’t guaranteed here by any means — which sounds wild at first, considering they’ve yet to lose a game. The RedHawks are just a win away from completing the perfect season, and they’ve already won the MAC’s regular season title. But without any truly impressive wins, and after a lot of very close calls along the way, there is still plenty of doubt about how good they actually are.

Yes, an undefeated record is something that deserves a lot of credit regardless of where it’s accomplished. And the RedHawks are certainly capable of making some noise in the NCAA tournament as a double-digit seed should they get there. But if they slip up now, they may not get that chance.

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Remaining games

March 6: at Ohio (15-15)

The Horned Frogs may have already done enough, honestly. They’ve won seven of their last eight games, and are fresh off an eight-point win over No. 10 Texas Tech on Tuesday. They are rapidly surging, and can get to 11-7 in Big 12 play with a win over Cincinnati on Saturday.

If they can just beat the Bearcats, it shouldn’t matter what happens at the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City (even though a win or two would go a long way seeding-wise).

Remaining games

March 7: vs. Cincinnati (17-3)

The Buckeyes looked like they were on the way out after a rough loss in Iowa City, but things have rapidly changed for them entering their season finale. They bounced back with an upset win over Purdue, and then they rolled to a 32-point win over Penn State on Wednesday night to get to 19-11 on the season.

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There is still some work to do, however, and the Buckeyes have a must-win game against Indiana on Saturday. A loss there negates all the progress they’ve made, and likely forces a massive run in the Big Ten tournament. Indiana has a lot to play for and also can’t lose. On a packed Saturday throughout the sport, this game is critical.

Remaining games

March 7: vs. Indiana (18-12)

While they slipped at Saint Louis, the Rams are sitting in second in the A-10 standings entering their final game of the regular season — and are right on the bubble to make it into the tournament. Assuming Ohio State takes care of business at home on Saturday to knock Indiana out of the way, the Rams have a very clear path to making the tournament without winning the A-10.

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They’ll have to beat Dayton on Friday, something they had no issue doing a month ago, and then pick up a win or two in the conference tournament. But if they get that done, Phil Martelli will have his team in the tournament in his first season.

Remaining games

March 6: at Dayton (21-9)

UCLA, after wins over both Illinois and Nebraska in recent weeks, should be safely in. The Bruins can eliminate all doubt with a win over their crosstown rival on Saturday night. So long as they beat USC — which is stumbling hard, especially after dismissing leading-scorer Chad Baker-Mazara — an at-large bid should be theirs regardless of what happens in the Big Ten tournament. But, of course, nothing is ever guaranteed in a rivalry game.

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Remaining games

March 7: at USC (18-12)

This one isn’t complicated. Auburn has to win at Alabama on Saturday. The Tigers have lost seven of their last nine games, but are coming off a double-digit win against LSU on Tuesday. And with Alabama having just lost at Georgia, the Tigers are headed to Tuscaloosa at the right time.

A rivalry win here won’t be enough. The Tigers will also have to grab multiple wins in the SEC tournament to sneak in. But if they fail to win on Saturday, it’s just about over.

Remaining games

March 7: at Alabama (22-8)