Clemson In, Cocks On NCAA Bubble

Clemson is a lock for an NCAA tournament bid, but it appears South Carolina’s late season collapse has the Gamecocks on the outside looking in.

That’s according to ESPN’s “College Basketball Bubble Watch,” as compiled by hoops reporter Mark Schlabach.

From his analysis:

It’s hard to imagine the SEC East co-champions being left out of the NCAA tournament in most years, but the Gamecocks simply don’t have much to show the selection committee. After going one-and-done in the SEC tournament (lost to Mississippi State on Friday), the Gamecocks have only one victory over an RPI top-50 opponent, beating No. 46 Florida 70-69 on Jan. 21. South Carolina might get some mileage out of its 85-84 win at Baylor and its 68-56 victory over Auburn at home. The Gamecocks also swept games against traditional SEC power Kentucky, but that feat won’t carry as much weight as it traditionally did. South Carolina went 1-5 record against RPI top-50 foes and 7-8 against the top 100.

Both Carolina and Clemson were “one-and-done” in their conference tournaments – with Clemson falling to Georgia Tech – but the Tigers boast a 23-8 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while USC’s 21-9 mark in the weaker Southeastern Conference isn’t as impressive.

Neither team finished strong this season.

Clemson started the year 16-0 before going 7-8 in its final fifteen games.

South Carolina lost three of its final four games, including blowout defeats at the hands of Vanderbilt and Tennessee.

The NCAA selection committee will announce the tournament field tomorrow, so check back here to see if the Cocks made it.

Photos courtesy of Travis Bell, Sideline Carolina.