NEWS AND NOTES:
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-Not included in the Hoops HD Report was the double overtime thriller between Texas Tech and Kansas. Kansas led most of the way, but Texas Tech kept it close, then got the lead late, and had a chance to win at the end of both overtimes. It was a thrilling game, and even though Tech didn’t get the win, it was definitely an impressive showing and a statement that they can play with a Final Four caliber team on the road.
-North Carolina took care of Virginia Tech at home, but their resume is still terrible. This was arguably one of their better wins of the season, and it came at home against a team that’s nowhere near making the NCAA Tournament.
-Seton Hall was blown out on their own home floor by Saint John’s. The Hall isn’t any any danger of missing the field, but they are in a bit of a tailspin right now.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-GEORGIA AT ALABAMA (SEC). This should be an easy road win for an Alabama team that has fallen out of the rankings, but could still be really dangerous if they can get things turned back around.
-CLEMSON AT DUKE (ACC). Duke is dominating the ACC as you would expect and should cruise to at least a #2 seed if they keep it up.
-MICHIGAN STATE AT ILLINOIS (Big Ten). Michigan State followed up a head-scratching loss to Northwestern with a super impressive road win at Wisconsin. They’ve got another extremely tough road test against an Illinois team that has looked really good at times, but not enough of the time for us to say they are cruising to a protected seed.
-DEPAUL AT VILLANOVA (Big East). DePaul isn’t an easy team to beat, but they’re not hard enough to beat to where most of the Big East teams are unable to do it. Nova shouldn’t have too much trouble winning this one at home.
-SIENA AT IONA (Metro Atlantic). Iona should land inside the bubble so long as they continue to run through the MAAC.
-CINCINNATI AT TEMPLE (American). Could Cincinnati be inching their way onto the bubble?? They’ve still got a lot of work to do, but they’ve won seven of their last nine, and if they can take care of business in the next three games they’ll be hosting Houston with a chance to put themselves on the board.
-KANSAS STATE AT BAYLOR (Big 12). K State is fairly good. Their problem is that their in a conference where all the other teams are REALLY good. Baylor still has a solid path to a #1 seed and should be able to pick this one up at home.
-AUBURN AT MISSOURI (SEC). It’s a winnable road game for a team that has proven they can win pretty much anywhere. Auburn is good enough to get to a Final Four.
-GEORGETOWN AT CONNECTICUT (Big East). UConn is one of several teams in the Big East that continues to look impressive. This is some of the lower hanging fruit that exists for them the rest of the way. They should be able to take care of business at home.
-MISSISSIPPI STATE AT KENTUCKY (SEC). Mississippi State is squarely on our bubble and a win in a game like this could push them inside of it. The thing is…it’s very difficult to win a game like this. Kentucky is coming off a loss at Auburn, but it was hardly a setback, and if anything it was an impressive showing. They should be able to roll in this one.
-TEXAS AT TCU (Big 12). I’m not big on Texas, but based on the prognostications of everyone else they seem to be reasonably safe. Still, a road win in a game like this would really help. TCU is squarely on the bubble, and like every bubble team it seems that every game they play has a pivotal feel to it.
-NEVADA AT COLORADO STATE (Mountain West). Colorado State will safely make the field so long as they continue to take care of business.
-WYOMING AT BOISE STATE (Mountain West). This is a bubblicious game!! Both teams really need this one, and both have been playing well lately, so it should be fun.
-COLORADO AT OREGON (Pac 12). Oregon seems to be hitting their stride. They’re definitely trending in the right direction and can continue to improve their resume so long as they continue to string together wins.
-ARIZONA AT UCLA (Pac 12). Some feel Arizona can end up as a #1 seed. If they can win this game, then I’ll agree. Both teams are ranked in the top ten, both should end up as protected seeds, and this is a huge resume boosting opportunity for both of them.