NEWS AND NOTES:
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-Less than 12hrs after I gushed over South Carolina’s win at Tennessee and said we likely wouldn’t see another singular win as good as that for the rest of the yeer, we almost saw one that would have been even better last night! Northwestern went into Purdue and took them to the wall! They led late into the game, and had a chance to win on the final possession of regulation, but couldn’t come up with a basket and then couldn’t hold on in overtime as they lost to the Boilers 105-96. Still, it was very hard not to be impressed with how well Northwestern played on the road against one of the two best teams in the country.
-Florida got a big road win as they knocked off Kentucky in a 94-91 stunner in Rupp Arena. The Gators really haven’t been solidly inside our bubble at any point this season, but after last night’s win I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they were in our next bracket. The Gators are now 15-6 on the year, have won four straight, and have a monster road win at Kentucky.
-Boise State also picked up a huge road win as they went into The Pit and knocked off New Mexico 86-78. The Lobos had been looking like the best team in the Mountain West for the past few weeks, so that’s a great win for the Broncos who’s resume now looks a lot better than it did 24hrs ago.
-Alabama fell behind big to Georgia, but then they came back big and won rather easily 85-76 after absolutely dominating the second half. I guess they just weren’t ready at the start of the game?
-Memphis has gone from looking like they may get a protected seed to looking like they may miss the NCAA Tournament altogether in such a short period of time that it is almost unbelievable! They lost 74-71 last night. To Rice. At home. That’s now four straight losses for Memphis and none of those four teams are anywhere near the NCAA Tournament.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-COASTAL CAROLINA AT JAMES MADISON (Sun Belt). I still think JMU can get a serious look from the committee if they win out, and I think they are good enough to win out, but anything short of that and one of their wins better be in the SBC Championship game.
-APPALACHIAN STATE AT GEORGIA STATE (Sun Belt). I think App State can get a serious look from the committee if they win out, and I think they are good enough to win out, but anything short of that and one of their wins better be in the SBC Championship game.
-WISCONSIN AT NEBRASKA (Big Ten). Wisky is looking as good as anyone in the Big Ten right now, and they’ve even got a chance to end up on the #1 line if they can overtake Purdue. This will be a tough road test against a Nebraska team that’s trying to play their way into the NCAA Tournament, but Wisconsin has shown us that they’re able to win tough games.
-CALIFORNIA AT ARIZONA (Pac 12). Arizona has had some head-scratching losses, but their ups still far outweigh their downs and they appear to be headed toward a protected seed. They should be able to hold serve at home tonight.
-SEATTLE U AT GRAND CANYON (WAC). The Lopes should be able to avenge their only conference loss of the year tonight. If they win out through the regular season, which they are good enough to do, they should be in the field even if they don’t win the WAC Tournament.
-OREGON AT USC (Pac 12). Oregon is hovering around the bubble and they need this win on the road tonight. A loss sets them back even more.