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3 Bubble Teams in the Most Trouble After San Diego State's Mountain West Championship Loss to Utah State

By Scott Rogust

Indiana's head coach Archie Miller watching his team slide off the bubble
Indiana's head coach Archie Miller watching his team slide off the bubble / Justin Casterline/Getty Images

The college basketball world eaglerly awaits next Sunday, as the NCAA selection committee sends out March Madness invitations to 68 "winning" teams. Many will solidify their spots by giving outstanding performances in their respective conference tournaments.

On Saturday, the 30-2 San Diego State Aztecs entered as heavy favorites against the Utah State Aggies, but ended up losing 59-56 in the Mountain West Final, thanks to a timely 3-point shot by Sam Merrill. Utah State had a 20% chance of making the NCAA Tournament before their game against the Aztecs. Now, their conference title clinches them a spot in the Big Dance.

With Utah State sneaking in, that means teams already on the bubble have seen their dreams burst into smithereens, as San Diego State will still enter the tourney as a two seed. Here are three teams that suffered the most.

3. Indiana Hoosiers

Archie Miller's Hoosiers continue to fall further from a March Madness berth.
Archie Miller's Hoosiers continue to fall further from a March Madness berth. / Michael Hickey/Getty Images

The Indiana Hoosiers have plenty of things in their favor when it comes to clinching a spot in the NCAA Tournament, and that includes strength of schedule (top 50) and no terrible losses on the season. However, the Hoosiers lost to No. 24 ranked Wisconsin 60-56 on Saturday, dropping their record to 19-12. Head coach Archie Miller didn't help his case either by going after bracketologists and comparing their shows to the children's program "Sesame Street." Talk about being a sore loser. Now with Utah State's berth, Miller and Indiana can't afford an early exit in the Big Ten tournament. If they don't pile on a few more strong wins, they can officially rule out a trip to March Madness.

2. Stanford Cardinal

Stanford couldn't hold onto their 'last four in" status with brutal loss to Oregon.
Stanford couldn't hold onto their 'last four in" status with brutal loss to Oregon. / Cody Glenn/Getty Images

The Stanford Cardinal entered Saturday with a "last four in" designation for the NCAA Tournament. All they had to do was defeat the Oregon Ducks to solidify their spot in March Madness. They couldn't get that done, as they lost 80-67 to the Ducks. Their strength of schedule is 208th in the nation, which doesn't help with their 20-11 record. Now, their tourney hopes and dreams rest on a Pac-12 Championship. If Stanford can't do that, they're officially sunk, thanks in part to the Aggies.

1. Texas Longhorns

The Longhorns were the biggest losers after Utah State's win.
The Longhorns were the biggest losers after Utah State's win. / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

The Texas Longhorns have been disappointing ever since Shaka Smart took over as head coach. That was further solidified this season, as they entered Saturday's game against Oklahoma State with a 19-11 record. The Longhorns proceeded to get blown out 81-59 by the Cowboys, and hurt their chances of making it into the tournament. After Utah State's victory, a playoff berth looks more like a dream than a reality.