NEWS AND NOTES
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-Oklahoma suffered their second loss of the year yesterday at Iowa State, which will probably knock them out of the #1 ranking they had achieved just hours prior. Now, before everyone goes crazy the way they always do about how there is no clear cut #1 team, you need to stop and think about how college basketball has some unique variables when compared to other sport. It’s much tougher to win on the road in college basketball than in most other sports because the floors are different, the shooting backgrounds are different, and the environment is more suffocating than in a sport like football. It’s the only sport I can think of where there are games played during the regular season that are tougher to win than any game any team would play in the NCAA Tournament, including the Final Four or National Championship game. It’s harder to win at a place Kansas then it is to win a Final Four game that’s on a neutral floor. Four teams will make the Final Four. Chances are zero teams will win at Kansas and only one will win at Iowa State. So, even though Oklahoma has two losses, they probably don’t lose either game if it’s not a true road game. Hell, they almost won both of them even though they were true road games. So, I still believe Oklahoma is the best team.
-Speaking of tough places to win, let’s take a look at Duke. Duke is suddenly having a hell of a time winning at Duke. They lost their second straight home game yesterday to an unranked Syracuse team. I don’t even recall the last time that happened.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES
-BUTLER AT PROVIDENCE (Big East). Both teams are in the top twenty, but both teams have room to improve and could really use this win. Providence won at Butler earlier this season, but is coming off their second home loss and looking to rebound. Oddly enough, Providence appears to be better away from home this year.
-MISSISSIPPI STATE AT FLORIDA (SEC). Florida is right on the bubble and can’t afford to drop home games to non tournament teams.
-SOUTH CAROLINA AT OLE MISS (SEC). This is a big game for both teams. Ole Miss has a lot of work to do if they want to make the field, but they’ve been really strong at home this year. South Carolina has just one loss, but since Ole Miss is 7-1 at home this would probably be their best win of the season so far.
-KANSAS AT OKLAHOMA STATE (Big Twelve). Kansas will always play in a hostile environment when they go on the road, but they should be able to handle the Cowboys.
-TULANE AT UCONN (American). UConn’s margin for error is now basically zero. They had a nice win at Houston over the weekend, but are very close to the bubble and any losses to sub tournament teams could be devastating, especially if they lose at home.
-ILLINOIS AT INDIANA (Big Ten). Indiana has won several games in a row, but none have been against really strong teams. Illinois certainly doesn’t fall into that category either, so the Hoosiers should roll in this one.
-DAYTON AT SAINT BONAVENTURE (Atlantic Ten). This is a big road game for the Flyers, as the Bonnies have just one home loss on the season. Bona is a long way from the bubble despite having a 12-4 overall record, but a win tonight would be a huge step forward.
-NC STATE AT PITTSBURGH (ACC). Pitt can improve to 17-2 overall and shouldn’t have too much trouble knocking off the Wolfpack at home.
-NORTHWESTERN AT MARYLAND (Big Ten). Oddly enough, Northwestern is unbeaten on the road, but this is by far their toughest test. If they want any shot at all at making the NCAAs, they need some high caliber wins, which I seriously doubt they’re good enough to pull off.
-CLEMSON AT VIRGINIA (ACC). Virginia has struggled on the road, but has been very strong at home. Clemson has won five straight, including wins against three ranked teams, but this is a much tougher test since they’ll be on the road. Still, if Clemson pulls it off, they’re solidly in the discussion. At least for now.
-GEORGETOWN AT XAVIER (Big East). Xavier continues to look like they could get a #1 or #2 seed, and shouldn’t have too much trouble at home tonight.
-ALABAMA AT AUBURN (SEC). Alabama could use a road win. They’re still right on the bubble, so every game has a pivotal feel to it. To knock off their rivals in a road game like this would be sweet as well.
-LSU AT TEXAS A&M (SEC). TAMU appears to be the best team in the SEC. LSU is playing better, but they still have a long way to go and will need a win in a game like this to play their way all the way back to having a chance to make the tournament.
-HOUSTON AT SMU (American). SMU is now the nation’s only unbeaten team, which doesn’t mean anything since they’re ineligible.
-LOYOLA IL AT EVANSVILLE (Missouri Valley). Evansville continues to pile up wins and can improve to 17-3 tonight.