Bubble watch: Who hurt their NCAA tournament chances Saturday?

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With just over a week until Selection Sunday, the college basketball schedule on Saturday offered a number of teams the opportunity to strengthen their case for an NCAA tournament bid.

Some teams took that chance and locked down a bid in the big dance ahead of next week's conference tournaments. Others limped to the finish line, and will now need strong showings next week to clinch a spot in the field of 68.

Here are three teams that hurt their tournament chances Saturday, and three teams that all but punched their tickets to March Madness.

Hurt

Michigan State

Michigan State seemed like a lock for the NCAA tournament at the start of the week after a huge 10-point win over Wisconsin. Things got slightly murky with a road loss to Illinois midweek, and, thanks to Melo Trimble, it's now unclear whether the Spartans will be in the field of 68. The Maryland star canned a game-winner to hand Michigan State its second straight loss, and place the team firmly on the bubble. Tom Izzo blamed reporters after the game for not promoting the Big Ten enough - a message that seemed extremely desperate considering the circumstances. An 18-14 team likely isn't getting to the NCAA tournament, so Michigan State better win a couple games in the conference tournament.

Georgia Tech

There's one man responsible for Georgia Tech falling out of the NCAA tournament picture, and his name is Andrew White. The Syracuse senior dropped 40 as the Orange hammered the Yellow Jackets by 29 points on Saturday. Not much was expected of Georgia Tech in Josh Pastner's first campaign with the program, but they've already overachieved in most people's eyes. The Jackets need a serious run in the ACC tournament to get back in the field of 68, which won't be easy in the deepest conference in the country.

Illinois

Illinois ripped off four straight wins to get back in the NCAA tournament picture and promptly rendered that run meaningless by losing at Big Ten basement-dweller Rutgers. The Fighting Illini made just 35 percent of their shots from the field and fell to 8-10 in conference play with the loss. They're now one of ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi's first four teams out of the field of 68, and likely need a deep run in the Big Ten tournament to get back in the picture.

Helped

Seton Hall

Seton Hall fans can make plans to watch their team next Thursday or Friday, because the Pirates all but clinched their spot in the field of 68 with a massive road win over Butler on Saturday. The Bulldogs had only lost two home games all season and entered on a four-game winning streak, but were no match for the Pirates' dynamic duo of Angel Delgado and Desi Rodriguez. The junior forwards combined for 41 points and 21 rebounds in the win.

Wake Forest

Just a week ago it seemed unlikely Wake Forest would have a case to be included in the NCAA tournament, but the Demon Deacons upset No. 8 Louisville during the week and scored a massive road win at Virginia Tech on Saturday. Barring a disastrous loss in the opening round of the ACC tournament to Boston College, Danny Manning's bunch should be safe for the field of 68 on Selection Sunday.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt showed its earlier win at Florida was no fluke, as the Commodores swept the series with the Gators thanks to a big home win Saturday. It seems crazy to think that a team that started the season 9-11 would be heading to the NCAA tournament, but Vanderbilt's second-half surge has them right on the cusp. The Commodores finished the campaign winning five of six games, and now head to the SEC tournament to face Texas A&M. Win that matchup, and a third meeting with Florida awaits. Regardless of the outcome, that should be enough for Vanderbilt to punch its ticket.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)