We’re only two weeks away from the first installment of the Non-D1 NCAA regional rankings. In other words, it’s crunch time for teams on the bubble, with conference tournaments beginning at the end of February. 

However, the NCAA tournament is only one bubble worthy of our attention. Considering that any team that makes their conference tournament has a chance to pull off a magical run and earn an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament, we’ll look at teams in danger of missing the postseason entirely.

The bubble watch will be updated weekly until the NCAA tournament field is announced.

Lone Star Conference

In - West Texas A&M and DBU

This is another season where we must marvel at what Tom Brown has built at West Texas A&M. The Buffs are 16-1 on the season and 10-0 in the LSC. WT is the favorite to win its seventh consecutive LSC tournament and host the regional. However, DBU is hot on the Buffs' heels and could benefit if WT struggles with a challenging remaining schedule.

Trending In - Lubbock Christian 

LCU has an opportunity to earn a significant victory this weekend when they host DBU on Saturday. The Chaps need every win inside the RIP Griffin Center with challenging road games against Angelo State, UTPB, and WT remaining.

Trending Out - Angelo State and St. Edward’s

Injuries in the frontcourt have decimated the Rams, and their lack of depth was exposed during their current four-game losing streak. ASU needs a sweep this week when they host St. Mary’s and St. Edward’s. The Hilltoppers were trending in until an unexpected loss at home to Oklahoma Christian last Thursday.

Conference tournament bubble - Angelo State, St. Edward’s, UTPB, Midwestern State, and St. Mary’s

Based on current LSC standings, ASU would be the No. 5 seed if the conference tournament began this week. It might seem the Rams are in a good spot, with eight teams earning a place in the postseason. The problem for ASU is the following six teams are all within two games of the Rams in the loss column.  This bubble will remain fluid through February.

American Southwest Conference

Trending In - Hardin-Simmons

The Cowboys are projecting as in the NCAA Division III national tournament, but HSU can ill-afford any losses during the regular season. Speaking of HSU’s remaining schedule, seven of its final eight games are on the road.

Conference Tournament Bubble - LETU, UMHB, East Texas Baptist, Concordia, Howard Payne

One of the five teams above will not make the postseason, with the top six teams earning a spot in the ASC tournament. LETU sits in third place and is two games ahead of seventh-place HPU. 

Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

In - Trinity

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Tigers will be playing in the NCAA Division III tournament in March. The question is whether Trinity will host the first and second rounds. The Tigers own wins over Hardin-Simmons, Pomona-Pitzer, and Clark in Region X, and their only setback on the season is by one point at home against St. Thomas. The Tigers played that game without their second-leading scorer, Tanner Brown, who has since returned to the lineup.

Trending Out - St. Thomas

What a difference one week makes on the bubble. If this piece had been written last week, UST would’ve been trending toward a berth in the national tournament. Instead, the Celts suffered an 86-85 loss at home to UDallas last Friday and will need to win the SCAC tournament to secure a bid.

Conference Tournament Bubble - Colorado College, Centenary, Austin College, Dallas

Like the ASC earlier, one of the teams listed above will not make it to this year's postseason. Colorado College is fourth in the SCAC standings, while UDallas is two games behind in the seventh spot.