-For the latest HOOPS HD BRACKET RUNDOWN Video Podcast, where we build a seedlist line by line and discuss/debate each team as we go – CLICK HERE
-For John Stalica’s UTR Game of the Day – CLICK HERE
-Gonzaga had been playing with fire for weeks and had several games come down to the final minute, and even the final seconds, but always found a way to win. Last night, they didn’t find a way to win. LMU was ahead for most of the second half, but with less than a minute to go Gonzaga tied it, and even had the ball in the final seconds of the game with a chance to win it. We had seen this so many times that it actually was a bit of a surprise when they came up empty, and LMU picked up a HUGE win for their program at the Kennel 68-67.
-UCLA got a nice road win at Arizona State, which is a win they should get a lot of credit for considering that Arizona State has some big wins, has played well at home, and hovering around the bubble. Now, if they can win at Arizona on Saturday, then that would REALLY be big!
-Michigan State pulled away from Rutgers and picked up yet another notable win. They seem to be doing it a piece at a time, but they are climbing the seedlist and building up a pretty good resume.
-Indiana, who had looked very pedestrian when playing on the road, picked up a VERY impressive 80-65 win at Illinois yesterday, which is probably as impressive as any win they’ve managed this season outside of their big win at Xavier earlier in the year.
-BALL STATE AT KENT STATE (MAC). Kent State has yet to lose in conference play and if they can continue to dominate the conference I think the committee is going to give them one hell of a look. They need to keep winning, though.
-VILLANOVA AT SAINT JOHN’S (Big East). The Johnnies are outside the bubble, but they do have some notable wins and would be able to reach it if they can start stringing a few more together. They need to hold serve in this one tonight.
-VCU AT RICHMOND (Atlantic Ten). If any team from the A10 has any chance at all of landing inside the bubble, it’s probably VCU, and they pretty much need to win out to do it.
-BOISE STATE AT NEW MEXICO (Mountain West). Both teams are inside our bubble right now, and both are looking to grow the value of their resumes, so tonight’s game is a big opportunity for both teams.