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-Ohio State stubbed their toes on the road against Michigan. Michigan is just 7-10 on the season and has rarely even looked like an NIT caliber team. This loss is a setback for the Buckeyes, who have now lost three straight and appear to be in a tailspin.
-Iowa picked up a nice 86-77 win at Minnesota, which is their sixth win in their last seven games. the Hawkeyes seem to have their motor started and will end up inside the bubble if they keep it up.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-FLORIDA AT TENNESSEE (SEC). Tennessee is a high level protected seed and Florida is a team that’s trying to build up their resume. A win at Tennessee would certainly do that, but it’s much easier said than done. The Gators are coming off a big win against Arkansas, though, so they should have some momentum built up.
-SAMFORD AT WESTERN CAROLINA (SoCon). These look to be the two best teams in the SoCon. Both are 15-2, both are unbeaten in conference play, and while it’s a long shot, both have a chance at landing inside the bubble if they can continue to blow through the league. It should be a fun game.
-BUTLER AT XAVIER (Big East). Both these teams have a lot of work to do, especially Xavier, but both also seem to be getting better as the season goes on. Having said that, they could both really use this win today. It has a pivotal feel for both of these teams.
-PURDUE AT INDIANA (Big Ten). From a match-up standpoint Purdue should win this game easily. Indiana struggles offensively from outside the paint, and when you have a player like Zach Edey it’s very difficult to score inside the paint. Having said that, Purdue has struggled on the road in conference play, and it’s a rivalry game.
-TCU AT CINCINNATI (Big 12). This is another match-up between two teams that seem to have improved quite a bit as the season has gone along. Both played really weak OOC schedules, and both need quality wins on their resume. That makes this a big game for both these teams.
-WAKE FOREST AT NC STATE (ACC). Both teams are outside the bubble, but both can reach if if they’re able to keep stringing together wins. A win today would be big for either one of these teams.
-MISSOURI STATE AT INDIANA STATE (Missouri Valley). I think there is room for Indiana State inside the bubble, but they need to hold serve in games like this the rest the way, and pretty much come close to winning out in MVC play.
-MISSOURI AT ALABAMA (SEC). Alabama’s strong OOC SOS is really starting to pay off and the Tide keep looking better and better each week of the season. They should be able to hold serve at home in this one.
-BAYLOR AT KANSAS STATE (Big 12). I really like this Baylor team and think they can end up as a protected seed. This will be a very tough road test, though, against a K State team that’s 9-1 at home and that’s won 9 of their last 11 overall. If anything I think K State is being overlooked somewhat.
-SAINT LOUIS AT DAYTON (Atlantic 10). IT IS THE ARCH-BARON CUP!!!! IT IS THE BIGGEST RIVALRY IN ALL OF SPORTS!!! Dayton is cruising through their season and may even be able to end up as a protected seed if they can continue to blow through the A10. They should be able to hold serve at home in this one.
-SAINT JOHN’S AT SETON HALL (Big East). Both teams are really playing well, both have improved as the season has gone along, and both have strung together quality wins for their tournament resumes. This should be a fun one tonight.
-WISCONSIN AT PENN STATE (Big Ten). Wisconsin is looking as good as anyone in the Big Ten, and that includes Purdue. They should be able to pick this one up on the road and remain unbeaten in conference play.
-IOWA STATE AT BYU (Big 12). Both teams are in the rankings, both have good profiles, and both have a shot at a big win tonight. It should be a fun one. Iowa State only has one true road win at this point, and as big as the win was against Houston last week, I would argue that this one would be even bigger because it’s a road game.
-GEORGIA TECH AT CLEMSON (ACC). Clemson needs to pull themselves out of the tailspin that they’ve gone into. This should be a winnable home conference game for the Tigers.
-TEXAS A&M AT ARKANSAS (SEC). Texas A&M is coming off a huge home win against Kentucky, and Arkansas has been a huge disappointment all year long. TAMU should be able to get this one even though it’s a road game.
-AIR FORCE AT COLORADO STATE (Mountain West) (Front Range). We at Hoops HD LOVE the Front Range!!! Colorado State has lost two straight and needs to bounce back at home against their Front Range rivals.
-UNLV AT BOISE STATE (Mountain West). UNLV has been playing a little better lately, but Boise State has suddenly started to look like a tournament-caliber team. They’re 9-1 in their last ten games, they just picked up a huge road win against Nevada, and they should be able to hold serve in this one.
-UTAH STATE AT NEW MEXICO (Mountain West). I hadn’t been a big believer in New Mexico despite their big record, but after they totally blew San Diego State into the sun, it’s hard not to take them seriously. They’ve got another big home game tonight against a Utah State team that’s in the rankings and that has just one loss. Despite having such a good record this would still be one of Utah State’s better wins of the season if they’re able to pull it off.