News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Thursday, Jan 14th

NEWS AND NOTES

-For our most recent Under the Radar Video Podcast – CLICK HERE

-For Chad Sherwood’s UTR Game of the Day – CLICK HERE

-Joby’s Nitty Gritty Rankings have been updated.  To check them out – CLICK HERE

-The story last night was Clemson, who won their third straight ACC game, and their second game in a row against a ranked team.  It doesn’t get any easier for them, but in a way that’s good because if they keep knocking off tournament caliber teams then they’ll become a tournament team themselves.

-USC became just the second team this season to win at UCLA, and they did so decisively.  The Trojans are now looking like they could be wearing white in the Round of 64.

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-WESTERN CAROLINA AT CHATTANOOGA (SoCon).  Every game from here on out will have a do or die feel to it for Chattanooga, but if they are a legitimate tournament team then they should be able to win out.

-JAMES MADISON AT NORTHEASTERN (Colonial).  These are two of the better teams in the Colonial, but unless one of them can run away from the league (which is possible but not very likely), then they’ll end up needing the automatic bid.

-CONNECTICUT AT TULSA (American).  This is a road win that UConn really needs to pick up.  Tulsa is an average team that should be better, but isn’t.

-IOWA AT MICHIGAN STATE (Big Ten).  Iowa won the first meeting, but they were at home and Michigan State was not at full strength.  If Iowa can pull off the upset in this one, then it definitely demonstrates that they are worthy of a protected seed.  If Michigan State can avenge the loss, then it definitely demonstrates that they are a #1 seed caliber team when they are at full strength.

-UAB AT OLD DOMINION (Conference USA).  Old Dominion has been a pretty big disappointment this year, but they are still unbeaten at home.  If UAB, who has won nine straight, can pick up this one then it would probably end up being their best win of the year.  It probably still won’t be enough, but if they run the table then they should at least get a look for an at-large.

-WILLIAM & MARY AT CHARLESTON (Colonial).  William & Mary probably has the best shot at an at-large if they can run away from the Colonial.  They’ll be tested tonight against  a Charleston team that has just one home loss.

-WASHINGTON STATE AT ARIZONA STATE (Pac Twelve).  Arizona State still has some work to do and can’t afford to lose to sub tournament caliber teams at home.

-MILWAUKEE AT VALPARAISO (Horizon League).  If Valpo wins out, which they are definitely good enough to do, then they should be safely inside the bubble.

-APPALACHIAN STATE AT LITTLE ROCK (Sun Belt).  This is one of many conference games that Little Rock will play where they need to avoid a bad loss.  If they do that they should be fine.

-UT ARLINGTON AT TROY (Sun Belt).  Same comment as above.  UT Arlington needs to avoid bad losses.

-BYU AT GONZAGA (West Coast).  If BYU wants any hope at landing inside the bubble then I think they need to win this game.  They won’t have an opportunity at another win this good for the rest of the year.  Gonzaga doesn’t have too much meat on their schedule and needs to avoid losses to sub tournament teams if they want to be wearing white in the Round of 64.

-PITTSBURGH AT LOUISVILLE (ACC).  Right now, I’d say these are two good teams who’s profiles aren’t quite so good.  The pressure is on both of them to win games like this if they want to end up safely in the field with a good seed.

-WASHINGTON AT ARIZONA (Pac Twelve).  Arizona is reeling somewhat and needs to rebound.  Washington is kind of bubblish and a win in a game like this would do wonders for them.

-OREGON AT UTAH (Pac Twelve).  Oregon has yet to win a true road game, so this would improve their resume a ton if they’re able to pull it off.  Having said that, Utah hasn’t lost a home game.

-CALIFORNIA AT STANFORD (Pac Twelve).  California is looking better and better, and a road win against a conference rival would help them a ton both on and off paper.