Hoops Habit
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7 Potential NCAA Tournament Teams Lacking Signature Wins

By Nathan Giese

Feb 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forward Quinton Stephens (12) dives for a loose ball against Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3, left) guard Derryck Thornton (12) and guard Brandon Ingram (14) in the second half of their game at McCamish Pavilion. The Blue Devils won 80-71. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forward Quinton Stephens (12) dives for a loose ball against Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3, left) guard Derryck Thornton (12) and guard Brandon Ingram (14) in the second half of their game at McCamish Pavilion. The Blue Devils won 80-71. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) and guard Jabari Bird (23) and center Kameron Rooks (44) and guard Sam Singer (2) and guard forward Jaylen Brown (0) huddle as a call is reviewed against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears forward Ivan Rabb (1) and guard Jabari Bird (23) and center Kameron Rooks (44) and guard Sam Singer (2) and guard forward Jaylen Brown (0) huddle as a call is reviewed against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

California Golden Bears

RPI: 35
Record vs. Top 50 RPI: 4-4
Best Win: 71-58 vs. Utah
Worst Loss: 94-90 vs. Richmond (neutral)
Best Remaining Game: Many

The darling pick from the preseason (including mine), California just hasn’t been able to fit the talented pieces together quickly enough to be a viable threat in the Pac-12. While they’re having a respectable year, their follies away from home have them firmly planted on the bubble.

CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm’s latest bracket (also Feb. 5) has the Golden Bears as an 11th seed, facing Indiana.

California’s playing without leading scorer Tyronne Wallace right now, so getting a signature win in his absence would be even bigger than if he were playing. Earning big wins without one of your top players is a huge draw for tournament consideration.

Luckily for California, there’s at least four games in their final nine regular season contests to help get them off the bubble.

Feb. 11 against Oregon, Feb. 18 at Washington, Feb. 28 against USC and March 3 at Arizona are all crucial games, especially the second and fourth ones on this list. California has one — yes, one — win away from home, a 78-72 win at Wyoming. Wyoming is 11-13 this season.

Cuonzo Martin‘s squad has a number of chances to get off the bubble, but it’s not going to be easy as life in the Pac-12 has been really difficult this season.

Next: Stumbling, Fumbling Cats