SURVIVAL BOARD UPDATE (click to view):
-ATLANTIC SUN – Bellarmine was mathematically eliminated from making the ASun Tournament with their 81-76 loss to West Georgia on Saturday.
-SOUTHLAND – Overlooked (by me) yesterday was that New Orlean’s 78-62 loss to Nicholls mathematically eliminates them from the Southland Tournament and from any chance of making the NCAA Tournament.
We are now down to just 353 teams who can still win it all!
NEWS AND NOTES:
-For the latest HOOPS HD REPORT Video Podcast – CLICK HERE
-Arizona got another big win at Baylor 74-67 and is continuing to make a strong case that they belong as a protected seed.
-Kansas State really did have a hell of a run, but they started their sprint when they were way too far behind the rest of the pack, and last night’s 74-69 loss at Utah probably means that they cannot catch up to it without winning the Big 12 Tournament.
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HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-VILLANOVA AT UCONN (Big East). UConn will be looking to bounce back from one of the biggest surprises of the season. Their overtime loss to Seton Hall was a setback, but it does not derail them. As for Nova, their Tournament hopes are barely flickering and they need a win in a game like this to keep them alive.
-OKLAHOMA AT FLORIDA (SEC). Oklahoma is squarely on the bubble and may be running out of strikes. They let a big one slip away over the weekend and now may need a win in a game like this to get themselves back in the picture. The Gators are having a great year and are in the hunt for a #1 seed.
-TEXAS A&M AT MISSISSIPPI STATE (SEC). Both teams are in the rankings, and TAMU is looking like a solid protected seed who still may have a shot at the #1 line depending on how things play out between now and the end of the conference tournaments.
-PURDUE AT MICHIGAN STATE (Big Ten). This is a big showcase game between two likely protected seeds who are both looking to build up their resumes even more. Purdue has lost two straight after looking as good as anyone in the country. A win today, especially on the road, would be a huge way for them to bounce back.
-NORTHERN ILLINOIS AT AKRON (MAC). This likely won’t impact the bracket, but Akron can remain perfect in conference play and may get at least a look if they win out.
-COLORADO AT IOWA STATE (Big 12). This is one that Iowa State really should blow through. It isn’t quite a buy game, but it may end up looking like one.
-TEXAS TECH AT TCU (Big 12). Texas Tech is on a roll and appears to be cruising toward a protected seed. This is a chance for them to add another road win to their profile.
-BUTLER AT XAVIER (Big East). If Xavier wins out they should get a strong look from the committee, but even then they’d probably need to win a game in the Big East Tournament in order to feel safe. Either way, they cannot afford to lose this one at home.
-ILLINOIS AT WISCONSIN (Big Ten). Wisky is looking like one of the better teams in the country and can keep that momentum going with a win at home today. Illinois has had some huge moments this season, but they’ve also lost a lot of games that you would have expected them to win. So, one never quite knows what they are going to do.
-AIR FORCE AT WYOMING (Mountain West, Front Range). We at Hoops HD Love the Front Range!!!
-HOUSTON AT ARIZONA STATE (Big 12). It’s always a challenge to go on the road and win, but Houston is one of the best road teams in the country and should be able to hold serve in this one. They still have a shot at the #1 line depending on how things play out.
-SETON HALL AT MARQUETTE (Big East). I would say that Marquette should breeze through this one, and they should, but Seton Hall is coming off the upset win against UConn so Marquette doesn’t want to just overlook them. They didn’t exactly bury DePaul in their last game.
-KANSAS AT BYU (Big 12). Kansas has shown that they are not the best road team, and they will likely be challenged again tonight in one of the tougher road environments in the country. BYU is squarely on the bubble, so every game they go in to seems to have a pivotal feel to it. This one is no different. They need to win it.
-MINNESOTA AT UCLA (Big Ten). UCLA has been playing really well, and they continue to build their resume, boost their metrics, and climb the seedlist. They should be able to win this one at home tonight.
-FRESNO STATE AT SAN DIEGO STATE (Mountain West). San Diego State appears to be safely inside the bubble, but a home loss in a game like this will make them a lot less safe.