NEWS AND NOTES
-For John Stalica’s UTR Game of the Day between Saint Peter’s and Monmouth – CLICK HERE
-Duke v North Carolina was a much more thrilling game than what I was expecting. UNC led (seemingly comfortably) for most of the game, but Duke fought their way back in, and forced turnovers, and got the game into overtime after a made freethrow – missed freethrow – offensive rebound – shot at the buzzer sequence. Then in overtime they were again down by multiple possessions in the final minute, but forced turnovers, made shots, and then hit a shot at the buzzer to win the game. It has been a frustrating year for UNC, but to lose like that against a highly ranked bitter rival may be more frustrating than all of the rest of the season put together. It was a GREAT choice by John Stalica for UTR Game of the Day!
-Seton Hall got a huge road win at Villanova. The committee had them on the #3 line yesterday. I’m thinking that the overall look of the resume, and the way the Pirates have looked on the court, should have them on at least the #2 line. This team is potentially Final Four good.
-For seemingly the third straight game Auburn was down big in the second half, but came back to win. LSU appeared to be putting the game today and on their way to what would have been their biggest win of the season, but Auburn went on a three point barrage in the final minute of regulation, and then hit a last second shot at the end of overtime to get the win after the lead had changed multiple times in the final minute of the game.
-Oklahoma picked up a much needed win at home against West Virginia. They were right on the bubble, and that win really does help them.
-It was a wild night in the Pac 12 with Oregon falling at Oregon State in a game where the Beavers dominated the second half, and Arizona losing at home to UCLA in a game that the Bruins controlled from start to finish. Arizona is high in the predictive ratings such as NET and KenPom, but in terms of merit their wins and losses just don’t match up.
-Michigan State fell to Michigan and is now 8-5 in Big Ten play, 16-8 overall, and 3-4 in true road games. That’s not bad, but is it worth a protected seed? Is it better than say…Penn State…who has a better conference record, and more road wins (including one at Michigan State)?
-Purdue got a much needed road win against an Indiana team that’s been tough to beat at home this year. They played very well in a hostile environment and pretty much led from tip to buzzer. They honored the 19879-1980 Indiana team that won the Big Ten, and Bob Knight was there, but you know that already because that’s all anyone is talking about. What you may have missed is what a big win it was for Purdue!
-Florida got blown out at Ole Miss. I’m not willing to entertain the discussion of whether or not Florida belongs in at all.
-Texas Tech got a nice win at Texas, which helps shore up their resume a little bit. They’ve got some really good wins on it, but could definitely use some more.
-East Tennessee State avenged an earlier home loss to Mercer by winning at Mercer yesterday. This may be important because ETSU is right on the bubble, and when evaluating them and looking at that loss, at least the committee can now say “well, they did go and beat them on the road.” That may not help much, but it can’t hurt either.
-Arizona State held on to beat USC 66-64. It was a game the Sun Devils really needed, and that USC didn’t need quite as badly, but could have really used.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES
-BUTLER AT MARQUETTE (Big East). Butler was one of the teams that made the committee’s top 16 yesterday, so they should certainly be able to earn a protected seed if they can hold serve the rest of the way. Marquette is a solid tournament caliber team, so even though they’re at home it probably won’t be easy.
-CINCINNATI AT UCONN (American). Cincinnati has won six of their last seven and continues to improve their resume and climb closer and closer toward the tournament. UConn is having a less than stellar season, but it still has a pivotal feel to it. A road win would be nice, but a loss to a non-tournament team would hurt.
-SAMFORD AT UNC GREENSBORO (SoCon). UNCG is way outside the bubble, but they should at least get a look if they’re able to win out.
-OHIO STATE AT WISCONSIN (Big Ten). Both teams have had their ups and downs, including Wisconsin’s blowout loss to Minnesota in their last game, but both still look like tournament teams and both could improve their resumes with a win today.
-TULSA AT UCF (American). Tulsa’s wining streak came to and end in their last game. They’ve still got a long way to go and basically need to win out in order to land inside the bubble.
-WICHITA STATE AT HOUSTON (American). Wichita State’s last two losses have basically been at the buzzer. Houston has had a bit of a setback as well and could really use this win. It’s likely that both will end up in the NCAA Tournament, but this game still has a huge sense of urgency to it for both teams.
-NORTHWESTERN AT RUTGERS (Big Ten). What Rutgers really needs is wins on the road, but in the meantime they also need to hold serve at home.