For the latest HOOPS HD BRACKET RUNDOWN where the seedlists of all the staff members are cross country scored and ranked to create a master seedlist which is then bracketed, and that bracket is revealed via Selection Sunday Style – CLICK HERE
SURVIVAL BOARD UPDATE (click here to view)
-ATLANTIC SUN – A Jacksonville loss or FGCU win eliminates the Dolphins while FGCU can be eliminated by losing and having Jacksonville win.
NEWS, NOTES, AND HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-For John Stalica’s UTR Game of the Day – CLICK HERE
-Northwestern was looking like a Final Four caliber team in the first half against Illinois last night. They were up 18pts on the road. The problem was that after halftime, they still had to play another 20 minutes, and Illinois came from behind, got it close, then went ahead, and then held on to win 66-62 as the game came down to the seconds. It was a big win for the Illini! Perhaps the first time in all of history that a home win against Northwestern can legitimately be called a “Big Win.”
-Neither Penn State or Ohio State are likely to make the NCAA Tournament (although I suppose Penn State does have a chance), but if you missed the end of their game yesterday, you should watch it! It was an exhibition of what it is like to be totally braindead and unfamiliar with the game’s situation – CLICK HERE
-Rutgers had what appeared to be a routinely winnable game at home against Michigan last night, but they didn’t play all that well in the first half, and played even worse in the second half. To their credit, Michigan did play a good game and picked up a nice road win, and they appear to be building up some momentum late in the season.
-USC, who is squarely on the bubble, picked up a really important, and somewhat impressive 84-65 road win against Colorado. Beating Colorado in and of itself isn’t that great, but to beat them on the road by that margin at a time of the year when USC really needs road wins…that was a good win!
-XAVIER AT SETON HALL (Big East). Xavier has had some really good wins and some very impressive moments this year, but they’ve also had their share of head-scratching moments, particularly their last game where they lost at home to Villanova. Seton Hall is outside the bubble, but could still technically reach if with a strong finish. A win today may not be enough in and of itself, but it would certainly be a big help.
-RICHMOND AT VCU (Atlantic Ten). VCU has very little shot of being selected without the auto-bid, but I suppose they do have at shot if they can win out. They have a 1 game lead with 3 games to go in the A10, and can get one step closer with a win over their rivals tonight.
-NEVADA AT FRESNO STATE (Mountain West). Nevada is inside the bubble and is fairly safe barring a collapse between now and the end, but Fresno has proven to be a tricky road game this year, and it would be a bit of a setback for Nevada if they lost to a team that is just 10-17 overall on the season.