-Today is a light day that comes after a light day, so today’s write-up will be short. I understand that the amount of content in today’s write-up may not be suitable to many who follow us, so please check out the following links…
-For the latest HOOPS HD BRACKET RUNDOWN, where we build a seedlist line by line on the air and debate, discuss, and assess each team as we go – CLICK HERE
-Literally all of Jon Teitel’s interviews are fantastic. You should read all of them. Here is his latest where he talks with Ed DiGregorio about Jeff Covington – CLICK HERE
-We are also getting closer and closer to the start of conference tournaments, and are in the stretch run of teams trying to clinch home court advantage, or clinch byes, or to simply finish high enough in the standings to make the conference tournament. We will be updating our CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS page between now and the last day of Championship Week. We do this because we understand that players, coaches, administrators, and commissioners need to know who is playing in their events, and where their events are taking place. We wouldn’t want a team to go to the wrong tournament by mistake. Imagine what a disaster that would be!! If North Carolina did not reference our page, and showed up at the SoCon Tournament thinking that was where they were supposed to be playing, it would be a disaster!! That’s why we do what we do!! We also do this for networks like ESPN, so they know what games they are supposed to be broadcasting and on what channels. To check it out – CLICK HERE
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-The only major result (and it was rather major) from Thursday night was Michigan’s blowout win against Purdue. It was at home, but it’s still the kind of game that can start to turn the momentum around for a team. As for Purdue, it doesn’t knock them out of contention for a #1 seed, but a blowout loss to a team that’s outside the bubble, even if it’s on the road, is just not something that happens to #1 seeds all that often (if at all).
-CONNECTICUT AT XAVIER (Big East). Both teams are in the rankings and both appear to be safely headed toward the top half of the bracket, but you also get the sense that this is a game that both teams kind of need, even if it’s perhaps just for their mental health. Xavier has lost two straight, one of which was at home against DePaul, and they are beginning to slide down the seedlist. On paper UConn looks like they could be a protected seed, but they don’t always play up to that level and we actually didn’t have them as a protected seed last night. A road win in a game like this will look really good on their resume and strengthen their argument for a protected seed.
-KENT STATE AT AKRON (MAC). This game won’t impact the NCAA Tournament at all, but We at Hoops HD Love the Wagon Wheel!!!
-NEVADA AT UTAH STATE (Mountain West). Utah State is outside the bubble, but they are close enough to it to reach it if they can finish strong. Winning tonight is pretty much a must.
-SAINT BONAVENTURE AT SAINT LOUIS (Atlantic Ten). SLU is another team that is outside the bubble and who has a lot of work to do, but reaching the bubble is not an impossibility if they can finish strong.
-IONA AT SIENA (MAAC). I think if Iona wins out through the regular season they are safe. That’s easier said than done, but they are good enough to do it.
-FRESNO STATE AT COLORADO STATE (Mountain West). Colorado State is falling down the seedlist and needs a win tonight to help stabilize their resume. Fresno State is outside the bubble, but this league is strong enough to where they actually do have the opportunities to play their way inside of it if they finish strong and pick up some notable wins.
-UNLV AT BOISE STATE (Mountain West). Boise is cruising and they should be able to hold serve tonight.