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-DARTMOUTH AT CORNELL (Ivy League). The loser is eliminated if Brown beats Princeton
Wright State (24-6, 14-3) at Northern Kentucky (21-8, 13-4) – 7:00 PM EST (ESPNU)
Tonight’s UTR Game of the Day takes us to Highland Heights, Kentucky to determine who will be the #1 overall seed in the Horizon League Tournament that gets underway next week. Wright State hits the road to travel down I-75 to take on Northern Kentucky for the second time this season – they looked unstoppable in a 95-63 victory in the teams’ first matchup of the season. Not only did Loudon Love get 16 points and 11 rebounds in that game, Tanner Holden had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the way for the Raiders. Unfortunately for Wright State, an 88-70 loss to Youngstown State could be the tiebreaker that costs the Raiders the #1 seed should they lose tonight’s game.
Northern Kentucky has rebounded positively after losing their first matchup against the Raiders; the Norse have won seven of their last eight games and are coming off of a road sweep against both Cleveland State and Youngstown State. The one loss was a complete no-show at home against Illinois-Chicago; it was a reversal of their first game at UIC when the Norse blew open the game in the 2nd half with a 30-0 run to win 68-52 against the Flames. Both Dantez Walton and Jaylen Tate have missed 11 and 10 games apiece for Northern Kentucky due to injuries – when fully healthy, the Norse have over four players (including career 1,000-point scorer Tyler Sharpe) averaging over double figures in points scored.
OTHER NEWS, NOTES, AND GAMES
-Merrimack’s win over Central Connecticut last night clinches at least a share of first place in the Northeast Conference. I believe Merrimack is the first ever team to finish in first place in their first year of being a transitional team.
-The game of the night was UCLA v Arizona as the Bruins picked up another big win, which puts them within reach of the first place of the Pac 12 and is making them look more and more like an NCAA Tournament team. The game seesawed back and forth and came down to the final seconds with UCLA hitting a shot at the buzzer for the 75-72 win.
-Wisconsin got another nice road win as they knocked off Michigan. Wisky just keeps getting better and better as the season goes along and they will be a tough team to beat in the NCAA Tournament.
-Colorado went on the road and lost to Cal in a game where Cal was pretty much in control the whole time. Before last night I thought the Buffs looked like the best team in the Pac 12, but it’s kind of hard to make that case now.
-USC got a much needed home win against Arizona last night, which has them breathing a little easier as they head into the final few games of the season.
-DAVIDSON AT DAYTON (Atlantic Ten). Dayton is cruising to a #2 seed and may even have a path up to a #1 seed if they can win out. They shouldn’t have too much trouble tonight against a Davidson team that we were expecting quite a bit out of this year, but that up until now hasn’t performed.
-PENN AT YALE (Ivy League). If Yale wins, then they clinch a spot in the Ivy League Tournament.