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Bubble Banter: It’s a quiet night on the bubble

State Farm Champions Classic

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 15: Miles Bridges #22 reacts after being taken out of the game by head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half during the State Farm Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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WINNERS

Michigan State (RPI: 43, KenPom: 55, No. 10 seed): The Spartans kept themselves on the right side of the bubble in their first game without Eron Harris, who suffered a season-ending knee injury over the weekend, as they picked off Nebraska in East Lansing. Michigan State should be in if they win out, the question, however, is going to be how the committee values a profile where they recently lost a key player.

UNC Wilmington (RPI: 41, KenPom: 57, No. 12 seed): The Seahawks knocked off Towson on Thursday night, meaning their hopes of somehow landing an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament is still alive. I don’t think it’s likely, but there is still hope.

LOSERS

Alabama (RPI: 68, KenPom: 61, next four teams): The Crimson Tide had a shot to play their way into the Big Dance if they could find a way to win out, and they opened up the most important stretch of their season by losing at home to a Georgia team playing without star forward Yante Maten. Not good.