NEWS AND NOTES:
-For the latest HOOPS HD REPORT Video Podcast, where we recap and assess all of the major conferences – CLICK HERE
-For John Stalica’s UTR Game of the Day – CLICK HERE
-It wasn’t a busy night, and the games of note ended up kind of chalky. Miami FL jumped out to a double digit lead against Duke within minutes of the tip and at no point after that was the game even close. Texas trailed Kansas for most of the game, but did make a few runs at them before falling 88-80.
-The most exciting game of the night was one that was so far under the radar that it was practically off the radar. Jackson State knocked off Arkansas Pine Bluff 88-84 in double overtime, and the reason the game was actually meaningful is because only eight teams make the SWAC Tournament, and just one game separates 4th place from 10th place, so every game involving teams within that logjam has a pivotal feel to it.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-MARQUETTE AT UCONN (Big East). Marquette is looking like the best team in the Big East right now, and is up to 10th in the polls. They’re 10-1 in their last 11, which is remarkable when you consider the bulk of that stretch has been in Big East play, and the only loss was a close on at Xavier. They’ll be tested on the road tonight against a UConn team that has a strong resume, and that had been in a slump but has now won three of their last four. This one should be a good one.
-RUTGERS AT INDIANA (Big Ten). It’s a showdown between the two teams that have beaten Purdue!! Both teams are in the rankings, and have a chance to buildup their resumes even more. Indiana is coming off a huge win over rival Purdue, and Rutgers could pick up what would probably be their biggest win of the season other than their win against Purdue on the road.
-CHICAGO STATE AT DELAWARE STATE. Every time Chicago State plays in what looks like could be a winnable game I want to highlight it This could by their 9th overall win of the season, and their 4th true road win if they’re able to pull it off!
-NORTH CAROLINA AT WAKE FOREST (ACC). Both of these teams, especially North Carolina, need to string together wins and add some quality wins to their profile in order to make the NCAA Tournament. This would be UNC’s best win of the season considering that it’s against a semi-decent team and since it’s on the road. Wake is outside the bubble, but could get back inside it if they’re able to string together some wins. It’s a bubblicious game on Tobacco Road!
-AUBURN AT TEXAS A&M (SEC). We have TAMU just outside our bubble, but given how well they’ve been playing after a somewhat sluggish start to the season, they can definitely play their way safely into the field. Auburn needs a big win just to shore up their resume, and even though TAMU is just on the bubble right now, this would still be one of their biggest wins of the season if they’re able to pull it off.
-NC STATE AT VIRGINIA (ACC). NC State has really come to life and has actually won eight of their last nine and is suddenly one of the hotter teams in the ACC right now. They’re not quite to the level that Virginia is, though, who is looking like a solid protected seed despite a loss in their last game at Virginia Tech. If NC State wins this, it’s a chance for them to shoot WAAAAY up the seedlist.
-TCU AT KANSAS STATE (Big 12). Both teams are in the rankings and both are within reach of a protected seed. Both have managed two road wins against teams that are also in the hunt for a protected seed, so both teams have very strong resumes. TCU has lost two of their last three, and has dealt with injuries, so this could be a really rough test for them tonight seeing as how they’re the road team, but as a whole they’re still having an incredible season.
-MARYLAND AT MICHIGAN STATE (Big Ten). Both teams are close to making the field, but both still have work to do, especially Maryland who could really give their resume a boost with a win like this on the road. Chances are both will be dancing come March, but both have room to improve and this one is a big resume building opportunity.
-ARKANSAS AT KENTUCKY (SEC). Kentucky has played much better over the span of their last seven games and has almost assuredly put themselves inside the bubble (for now). If they keep winning they’ll keep climbing the seedlist. Arkansas is getting beaten up by the criticus (including myself) for not having any road wins and for not having that many quality wins. A win tonight can address both of those deficiencies in a big way, so this is a HUGE opportunity for the Hogs.
-NEVADA AT NEW MEXICO (Mountain West). Nevada is hovering around the bubble and New Mexico is fighting to stay inside the bubble. That makes this a hugely important game for both these teams.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-Louisville @ Pittsburgh (ACC) – Pitt has been playing really well and should be able to win what is basically a buy game at home tonight
-Dayton @ VCU (Atlantic Ten) – If VCU wants to even be looked at by the committee for a bid they basically need to win out