Bethune-Cookman (15-13, 9-5) at North Carolina Central (15-13, 11-3) – 7:30 PM EST (FloSports)
Tonight’s UTR Game of the Day takes us to Durham, North Carolina for a game between two of the top teams in the MEAC – the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats hit the road to take on the Eagles of North Carolina Central. The Eagles won the first matchup of these two teams rather convincingly with an 86-59 victory back in January; Jibri Brount had 29 points to give them their first win at B-C since 2015. Ever since a midseason loss at Florida A&M, the Eagles have won eight of their last nine games to take the lead in the conference by half a game. Their final two games at home will be tonight and on Thursday against archrival North Carolina A&T.
In a similar fashion, it took a loss at Florida A&M for B-C to regain their focus; they have now won five of their last six games to climb into the fourth spot in the MEAC Tournament (Florida A&M would be fourth, but are ineligible to participate) as of today. Their best win was a 78-73 victory against NC A&T back in early February – both Leon Redd and Wali Parks had 17 points apiece to lead the Wildcats. After today’s final road trip of the year, Bethune-Cookman closes their season at home against Florida A&M.
OTHER NEWS, NOTES, AND GAMES
SWAC: Mississippi Valley State eliminated with a loss tonight at Grambling OR a win by Alabama A&M at Prairie View.
SWAC: Arkansas-Pine Bluff eliminated with a loss tonight at Jackson State AND a win by Alabama A&M at Prairie View.
-Indiana came up just short against Illinois what would have arguably been their best win of the year. The Hoosiers still look to be inside the bubble, but a road win like that would have done a ton to improve their seeding and make them feel a little safer.
-Rhode Island fell at home to Saint Louis. I think I’m done with Rhody. I know some experts are still projecting them into the field. What I don’t know is why the hell they would be doing that.
-Wichita State picked up a nice road win at SMU 66-62. It wasn’t that the win was a season defining win so much as that it was a tough game to win, and it would have hurt them had they lost it.
-NC STATE AT DUKE (ACC). The first time these two met NC State just completely blew them out. Duke has been slumping, but not so much at home. Tonight may be a blowout the other way. NC State is inside the bubble and will still be there even if they lose, but a win pretty much guarantees them a spot in the field barring a collapse.
-TEXAS TECH AT BAYLOR (Big 12). This game has a sudden sense of urgency to it. Texas Tech is sliding down toward the bubble and could really use a big win to help end the skid. Baylor is still on the #1 line, but is coming off a somewhat surprising loss to TCU and needs to finish strong in order to stay there.