NEWS AND NOTES:
-We will be recording our Hoops HD Video Podcast later on tonight, so be on the lookout for that late tonight/early tomorrow. We should also have a staff bracket from David Dorman posted a little later on this afternoon.
-Indiana followed up their big emotional win against Purdue with a bed crapping against Michigan. I understand that after a big win it’s hard to get your feet back on the ground sometimes, and I think that’s partly what we saw yesterday. But…credit to Michigan as well. They have underperformed all season long, but got a nice road win yesterday.
-Marquette keeps stringing together wins as they knocked off Xavier at home, but it’s hardly a setback for Xavier since it was a road loss to a really good team. Other than that, it was a pretty chalky day with few surprises.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-FLORIDA AT OLE MISS (SEC). The Gators are straggling the bubble. While this wouldn’t be a spectacular win, it would at least be a road win, which would help some. Still, given their situation it feels like a loss would hurt a lot more than a win would help.
-VIRGINIA TECH AT NORTH CAROLINA (ACC). A lot of prognosticators still have UNC in their fields, and some inexplicably have them safely in their fields. I don’t see it. If they don’t get this one tonight, then I think even those who are still projecting them to be inside the bubble will start to see they are in trouble.
-TENNESSEE TECH AT MURRAY STATE (Ohio Valley). If Murray can continue to blow through the OVC then they should be inside the bubble come Selection Sunday.
-TEXAS TECH AT KANSAS (Big 12). Both these teams are really hot right now. Kansas is within reach of a #1 seed and Texas Tech is looking more and m0re like they can get a protected seed. If they can somehow win this one in Lawrence tonight, they’ll REALLY be on their way.
-SAINT JOHN’S AT SETON HALL (Big East). Seton Hall is in good shape, but they did just end a two game losing streak. This is the second time in three days they’ve played the Johnnies, and they just got the win on the road. Winning this one at home should be doable.
-WEBER STATE AT SOUTHERN UTAH (Big Sky) (Bee Hive). We at Hoops HD Love the Bee Hive!!!! These are two of the better teams in the Big Sky, and first place is on the line, but the far more important storyline is what this means to the Bee Hive standings!!!
-UNLV AT SAN DIEGO STATE (Mountain West). San Diego State’s margin for error is small, and they have to take care of business in pretty much all their remaining home games.
-ARIZONA STATE AT USC (Pac 12). This is a winnable game for the Trojans. They should be able to hold serve and remain safely in the top half of the bracket.