NEWS AND NOTES:
-For the latest HOOPS HD REPORT Video Podcast – CLICK HERE
-For John Stalica’s UTR Game of the Day – CLICK HERE
-We had several exciting games last night, but for the most part the chalk held. North Carolina really had to sweat out a Miami FL team that was shorthanded, but held on to win. Kansas State blew a big lead against West Virginia, but held on to win in overtime. McNeese almost blew it against Lamar, but barely held on.
-Baylor got a really big win at TCU, which is a very solid road win and a very big way to bounce back after their loss at home to Houston over the weekend.
-Last but not least (well perhaps it is least), Mississippi Valley State knocked off Prairie View A&M 57-51 for their first win of the season!
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-Florida A&M has been mathematically eliminated from making the SWAC Tournament despite their win last night
-BUFFALO AT KENT STATE (MAC) – Buffalo is eliminated with a loss
-NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT TOLEDO (MAC) – Northern Illinois is eliminated with a loss, and with a Kent State win over Buffalo
HIGLIGHTED GAMES:
-CINCINNATI AT HOUSTON (Big 12). Cincinnati is outside the bubble and Houston is ranked #1 in the country. A road win against the top ranked team is generally a good way to beef up your resume, but it’s far easier said than done, and even if Cincinnati were to get the win they’d still have work to do.
-KENTUCKY AT MISSISSIPPI STATE (SEC). Kentucky is starting to play better and can end up as a protected seed if they keep playing at the level they have been for these past couple of weeks. This would be another big road win on their resume if they can pull it off. Mississippi State is squarely on the bubble, so this game has a bit of a pivotal feel for them as well.
-PITTSBURGH AT CLEMSON (ACC). Clemson is within reach of a protected seed, and Pitt seems to be within reach of the bubble. A road win for Pitt tonight will be a huge difference maker in whether or not they’re able to make the NCAA Tournament, so it is a hugely pivotal game for the Panthers.
-BYU AT KANSAS (Big 12). BYU is solidly in the field, but they could really improve the quality of their resume with a road win like this. BYU is just 2-6 in true road games, so this would change the entire complexion of it. Kansas is a solid protected seed and will remain that way so long as they can hold serve for the rest of the year.
-WAKE FOREST AT NOTRE DAME (ACC). Wake is right on the bubble, and after their home win against Duke most are starting to project them into the field. That all changes if they turn around and lose to a very poor Notre Dame team tonight.
-TEXAS AT TEXAS TECH (Big 12). The Longhorns are safely in the field, but they are just 3-5 in their last eight games, they haven’t been the best road team, and their stock is starting to drop a little bit. A win tonight can help change that, but it’s much easier said than done. Having said that, Texas Tech didn’t look all that good in their last game where they lost at UCF and will be looking to bounce back.
-NEVADA AT COLORADO STATE (Mountain West). Both teams are inside our bubble, but neither are on ground that is entirely solid and both could really use this win tonight. It feels like it’s somewhat pivotal for both teams.
OTHER NOTABLE GAMES:
–Georgetown @ Villanova (Big East) – Nova needs a strong finish, but they still have a path to the bubble. A loss in a game like this could completely derail that chance, though
–Davidson @ Dayton (Atlantic 1o) – Dayton is solidly in the field and should easily land in the top half of the bracket so long as they continue to hold serve
–Virginia Tech @ Syracuse (ACC) – Cuse MIGHT be able to reach the bubble, but they pretty much need to win out and then avoid an early loss in the ACC Tournament in order to have any real shot at it
–Wisconsin @ Indiana (Big Ten) – Wisky has been in a bit of a tailspin, and struggled to beat Maryland at home in their last game. This should be a winnable road game for the Badgers, but given how they’ve been playing it may be a bigger struggle than expected
-Ohio U @ Akron (MAC) – The Zips can hold on to their one-game lead in the conference standings with just two games to go if they can hold serve in this one
–Penn State @ Iowa (Big Ten) – Iowa has been playing really well. If they can hold serve in this one, and then get a win against eitehr Northwestern or Illinois and then another in the Big Ten Tournament the committee may give them a look
–UNLV @ Wyoming (Mountain West) – UNLV still has a ton of work to do, but they’re playing really well and are moving up the MWC standings
–Boise State @ Air Force (Mountain West) – Boise State is in the field, but AFA can be a tricky place to play. AFA is also coming off the big upset win at New Mexico and should be up for this one
–Utah State @ Fresno State (Mountain West) – this should be a routine win for Utah State despite it being on the road
–San Jose State @ San Diego State (Mountain West) – San Diego State is on pace to get a protected seed and should be able to hold serve in this one