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-TULANE AT UCONN (American). I’m not sure why we’re still looking at UConn, but many on the Hoops HD committee are. No matter how much we look at them, I think they’re out without the automatic bid.
-OHIO STATE AT MICHIGAN (Big Ten). Ohio State hasn’t been that strong on the road, and although it’s a rivalry game, I think it’s important that they show the committee they can beat non tournament teams on the road.
-UTAH AT OREGON (Pac Twelve). This game is hugely important to both teams. Utah is trying to secure a protected seed , and Oregon is trying to secure a spot in the field. A win like this would be a huge step in the right direction. Utah is coming off a big road win at Oregon State, which may sound funny, but it was Oregon State’s first home loss. If they pick this one up as well it really strengthens their profile.
-IOWA AT NEBRASKA (Big Ten). Iowa has some good things on their profile, but overall they’ve been very inconsistent and have not played well lately. I think it’s important that they show the committee they can win against non-tournament teams on the road.
-EVANSVILLE AT WICHITA STATE (Missouri Valley). Wichita is in very good shape and can end up as a protected seed if theyw in out.
-MONMOUTH AT IONA (Metro Atlantic). I will not win this argument, but damnit I’m still going to end up making it! Iona needs to be under consideration. Their paper may not show it, and they have had to sweat out some games against really weak teams, but unlike the Iona teams of the recent past, they’ve actually been winning the games against weak teams that they’ve had to sweat out. They are, in my opinion, a bubble caliber team on the court.
-INDIANA AT RUTGERS (Big Ten). Indiana is coming off a close loss to Purdue, but they’re still in good shape and adding a conference road win to their profile is a good way to rebound.
-TEMPLE AT TULSA (American). Right now, we have Temple way inside the bubble and Tulsa way outside of it. It would be a good road win for Temple to further solidify what is already a good profile. For Tulsa, a win would mean starting the climb back to being in consideration.
-FLORIDA STATE AT VIRGINIA (ACC). Virginia is looking like a solid #1 seed, and will stay that way if they win out.
-MICHIGAN STATE AT ILLINOIS (Big Ten). Both teams appear to be inside the bubble for now, and both have been playing well lately, so it should be a fun game.