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10 teams LSU basketball needs to lose: 2/13

By Josh Criswell

Jan 16, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Johnny Jones talks with forward Ben Simmons (25) during the first half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Johnny Jones talks with forward Ben Simmons (25) during the first half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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The LSU basketball team finds itself on the bubble of the NCAA Tournament entering Saturday. Here are 10 teams that the Tigers need to lose.

For an LSU basketball team in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament, Saturday’s SEC showdown with the No. 15 Texas A&M Aggies is crucial to the Tigers’ NCAA Tournament hopes.

A victory over the Aggies would give LSU a quality win that its tournament resume desperately needs. What would also help the Tigers is for other teams currently on the bubble to falter.

ICYMI: Three reasons why LSU will make the NCAA Tournament

Below are 10 teams that could help LSU’s tournament chances with a loss on Saturday.

Related Story: LSU vs Texas A&M: Live stream, preview and prediction

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Cincinnati

With an 18-7 record, Cincinnati is listed ahead of LSU in the majority of bracketology projections. The Bearcats host East Carolina this Saturday at 3 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ESPNU.

Butler

The Butler Bulldogs benefit from a Big East that is experiencing a resurgence this season. Butler is 17-7, and would all but secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament with an upset of No. 5 Xavier. Coverage will begin at 1:30 p.m. on FOX.

George Washington

George Washington is one of teams on the bubble that, at the moment, has slightly better projections than LSU. The Colonials (18-6) are coming off a defeat to St. Joseph’s, and loss to St. Bonaventure on Saturday would be devastating to their tournament hopes.

Washington

The Washington Huskies (15-9) have several quality wins this season, but a pair of back-to-back losses to Arizona and Utah are jeopardizing their tournament chances. A loss to Colorado on Saturday would likely be the dagger for the Huskies. Coverage will begin at 1:00 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

Oregon State

Unlike Washington, Oregon State is picking up momentum at the perfect time. After three consecutive victories, the Beavers have improved their record to 15-8 on the season. They face the California Golden Bears on Saturday with a tremendous opportunity to impress the selection committee. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

St. Mary’s

The St. Mary’s Gaels (19-5) are currently tied with Gonzaga atop the West Coast Conference standings. As far as at-large bids go, Gonzaga has a slightly better chance of making the tournament, giving LSU fans a reason to cheer against the Gaels this Saturday. St. Mary’s does not have many quality wins, and a loss on Saturday to Loyola Marymount would be a big hit to its resume.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is sitting at 15-9 and is a shell of the team that finished last season as the National Championship runner-up, but the Badgers still have a strong case to return to the Big Dance. A win on the road at No. 2 Maryland this Saturday would give them perhaps the strongest win of any team currently on the bubble. The game will be televised on ESPN, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Temple 

The Temple Owls are hitting their stride heading into the final weeks of the regular season. The Owls have improved their record to 18-5 with four consecutive victories, including a win over AAC-leader Connecticut on Thursday. A loss to South Florida (5-20) on Saturday is unlikely, but if it does occur, it would be the type of loss that the committee would not be able to overlook on Selection Sunday.

UC-Irvine

The UC-Irvine Anteaters are a team that may not possess a dominant tournament resume, but at 18-7, has put together the type of season that could allow them to sneak into the Big Dance with a strong finish. A UC-Irvine loss on Saturday to Cal State-Northridge would likely knock the Anteaters out of the tournament picture.

Texas Tech

At 14-9 with losses in eight of their past 10 games, the Texas Tech Red Raiders seem far from a threat to LSU’s NCAA Tournament chances. At the moment, the Red Raiders are certainly on the outside looking in. What Texas Tech has working in its favor though, is the fact that all but three of its losses have come against ranked opponents. Coming off a victory over No. 14 Iowa State, the Red Raiders have a chance to launch themselves back into the NCAA Tournament picture on Saturday with a win over No. 21 Baylor. The game will be televised on ESPNU, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

For NCAA Tournament bracketology stats, vist BracketMatrix.com.

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