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Behind the bracket: What each bubble team needs to do

Glenn Beil/USA TODAY Sports

One question dominates all others as Champ Week kicks into high gear: What does my team need? Here are the latest answers for every bubble team:

ACC

  • Florida State: Should make it even with a loss to Louisville on Wednesday.

  • Louisville: The Cardinals will be an unlikely choice without a win over Florida State.

  • Notre Dame: The path for the Irish includes two victories with a healthy Bonzie Colson.

  • Syracuse: The Orange have to beat Wake Forest (Tuesday) and North Carolina (Wednesday).

ATLANTIC 10

  • St. Bonaventure: Given the snub two years ago, reach the conference final and the Bonnies are safe.

BIG 12

  • Oklahoma: Sooners are on the bubble but will be in the NCAA tournament.

  • Kansas State: Likely in regardless, but a Thursday win over TCU seals the deal.

  • Baylor: Could sneak in without a win over West Virginia on Thursday, but don't bet on it.

  • Texas: The danger in playing the last-place team is losing; the Longhorns make it with a win.

  • Oklahoma State: Must beat Oklahoma on Wednesday and maybe Kansas a third time to get in because of a weak nonconference record.

BIG EAST

  • Providence: The Friars' combination of great wins and ugly losses makes their quarterfinal with Creighton a necessary insurance policy.

  • Marquette: Beat DePaul and Villanova; anything less won't be enough.

Conference USA

  • Middle Tennessee: Advance to at least the semifinal of the conference tournament.

PAC-12

  • Arizona State: Out with a loss to Colorado in 8-9 game of Pac-12 tourney.

  • USC and UCLA: Neither can afford a loss in the conference semifinals.

  • Washington: If the Huskies reach the championship game, they might still be a long shot.

SEC

  • Alabama: As a current "last team in," the Tide must beat Texas A&M, at least, in the SEC opener.

  • Mississippi State/LSU: Winner of this second-round game must reach the SEC final.