NEWS AND NOTES:
-Duke had a little more trouble than expected with Virginia Tech, but held on to win 76-65. VA Tech is at a very modest 8-5 right now, but if they can play the rest of the way like they did yesterday they should win quite a few games in the ACC.
-Tennessee jumped out to a big lead against Arizona, and the Wildcats battled back to make it a game. Tennessee held on for the win and Arizona suffered their first loss, but it was still a very impressive showing for Arizona to battle back like they did.
-Auburn didn’t have too much trouble with Murray State. This is a Murray State team that we currently have inside the bubble, and a loss to a team like Auburn isn’t going to set them back at all.
-Wyoming dropped one to Stanford that they really could have used in the Diamond Head Classic. It isn’t just that they didn’t beat Stanford, but that their remaining games will be on the losers’ side of the bracket, which denies them chances to put better wins on their resume. It was close throughout the entire game, but Stanford had a lead throughout most of it and was ahead when the clock struck 0:00.
-Monmouth suffered a rather costly loss at home to Hofstra 77-71. Monmouth had been inside the bubble, and may still be, but this is the kind of game that tournament caliber teams need to be able to win. Hofstra has gone on a bit of a roll. They’ve won seven of their last eight, and in their last two games have knocked off Arkansas and Monmouth away from home.
-Boise State picked up a nice road win at Washington State 58-52. Wazzu, who was a team that we thought would be a dark horse, has hit a bit of a skid. They’ve now lost four of their last six.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-LIBERTY VS STANFORD (Diamond Head Classic). Both teams won close games yesterday, and both still have a lot of work to do if they want to end up on the committee’s board this March.
-FRESNO STATE AT WEBER STATE. Fresno State has lost all three of their road games, and right now that’s the biggest difference between them being on the radar as opposed to off of it. Weber State has lost three straight (all against good teams), but this would still be a good road win for Fresno because once Weber gets into Big Sky play they aren’t likely to lose too many more at home.
-NORTHERN IOWA VS WYOMING (Diamond Head Classic). Wyoming let one slip away yesterday against Stanford that they really could have used. They basically need to hold serve the rest of the way in the Diamond Head and win their next two games.
-BUTLER AT SAINT JOHN’S (Big East). Both teams have some decent stuff on their profiles, but both still have work to do and both could use this one today.
-GEORGE MASON AT WISCONSIN. This should be a rather easy home win for Wisconsin. They’re in the rankings, they’ve been good at home, and they should be able to hold serve.
-BYU VS VANDERBILT (Diamond Head Classic). BYU appears to be the strongest team in this event, and shouldn’t have too much trouble getting the win today and advancing to the Championship game. Having said that, Vandy hasn’t looked all that good this season, but they’ve played well in their last two games.