NEWS AND NOTES:
-For our latest UNDER THE RADAR Video Podcast – CLICK HERE
-It’s a big night of Under the Radar games, and rather than just featuring one game, John Stalica has put together an Under the Radar Showcase! To check it out – CLICK HERE
-The biggest surprise from last night was Wisconsin’s 72-68 loss at Michigan. Less than a week ago, Wisky had been looking like a team that could keep pace with Purdue, and while the loss to Purdue wasn’t that shocking, a loss to a Michigan team that had just looked absolutely pitiful for most of the season was really surprising.
-Auburn had no trouble with rival Alabama. They jumped out to a big lead and pretty much held it for the whole game for a 99-81 win. Auburn, who had been lacking in quad 1 wins prior to this past weekend, has now picked up two really nice ones and will almost undoubtedly move way up our seedlist tonight.
-Providence may be the grittiest team in the country. Every time you think the nail is about to be driven into their coffin, they come back with a big win. They knocked off Creighton in overtime last night 91-87, and while it was a home win it’s still huge for the Friars. Getting to the NCAA Tournament would be a huge accomplishment for this program, and they are on pace to do it.
-Xavier held off Villanova in a game that both teams desperately needed. It was close throughout, but Xavier found themselves up 3 as Villanova came down for the last possession and needing a 3 to tie. Nova did not get a 3pt attempt off. In fact, they got NO shot attempt off, and time expired. Xavier is outside the bubble, but they can get there with a very strong finish, and they look to be good enough to get the wins they need between now and the end.
-They are still a long ways away from the bubble, but after being completely (and justifiably) ignored by everyone for more than a month now, UCLA is now 6-1 in their last 7 games and moving up the Pac 12 standings. They won at Stanford last night 82-74.
.
HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-MEMPHIS AT TEMPLE (American). I have Memphis outside my bubble right now, but whether they’re in or out we can all agree that they are unstable at best. They need to finish strong and they need to get it done on the road tonight. A loss as bad as this, even though it’s on the road, could cripple their resume.
-ARIZONA AT UTAH (Pac 12). Arizona looks to be a solid protected seed, but they have dropped some games on the road this year and this may be another challenge for them tonight. Most have Utah in, but I still think they have some work to do. What they need more than anything else is road wins, but a home win over Arizona certainly wouldn’t hurt.
-ARIZONA STATE AT COLORADO (Pac 12). What Colorado really needs is road wins, but they also need to hold serve. A home loss to a team that’s nowhere near the field would really sink them.
-FLORIDA ATLANTIC AT UAB (American). After showing signs of inconsistency for the first half of the season, FAU seems to have finally hit their stride and has now rattled off seven straight wins. They may be tested on the road tonight against a UAB team that will be up for this one and that can be tough to beat on the road, but if they play like they’ve been playing they should be able to hold serve.
-WASHINGTON STATE AT OREGON STATE (Pac 12). Wazzu is just inside our bubble, and the way they’ve been playing makes us think they can continue to climb the seedlist. This is a winnable road game for the Cougars and road wins always look good on profiles.
-WASHINGTON AT OREGON (Pac 12). Oregon is outside the bubble, but they can perhaps reach it if they can start stringing together wins. They need to hold serve at home against their rivals tonight.
-UC IRVINE AT UC SANTA BARBARA. If UC Irvine wants any hope at all of getting inside the bubble then they pretty much need to win out.