NEWS, NOTES, AND LINKS:
For our latest HOOPS HD REPORT Video Podcast – CLICK HERE
-For the HOOPS HD TEAM SHEETS, which are the most detailed ones on the entire internet that we know of – CLICK HERE
-For the HOOPS HD SURVIVAL BOARD, which outlines who is a lock, who still has work to do, and who needs to win the auto-bid – CLICK HERE
-For our latest Bracket Projections – CLICK HERE
-Houston was able to avenge their only conference loss last night and remain unbeaten in true road games as they knocked off Texas Tech 69-61. I believe Texas Tech was without two regular starters. In the first match-up they were without a key player and their head coach for most of the game. Perhaps if the two meet in a rubber match in the Big 12 Tournament they’ll finally be at full strength for a whole game.
-Michigan survived a rock fight against Nebraska, but got a really nice 49-46 road win against a Nebraska team that’s trying to hold onto the bubble for dear life.
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HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-DUKE AT MIAMI FL (ACC). Even though this is a road game it still won’t amount to much more than a buy game level win for Duke.
-FLORIDA AT GEORGIA (SEC). It’s a rivalry game and Georgia has been tough to beat at home this year. It’s one they could sure use because they are right on the bubble. Florida is in the hunt for a #1 seed and Georgia is trying to cling to the bubble for dear life.
-PROVIDENCE AT MARQUETTE (Big East). Marquette is coming off a somewhat poor showing at Villanova and is looking to bounce back at home against Providence. This should be a hold-serve type of game for them.
-BAYLOR AT CINCINNATI (Big 12). This is an important game for Baylor. They have not been good on the road this year, and while Cincinnati is not inside the bubble, this win would still make Baylor’s resume look a lot better since they’ll be beating a team on the road that at least has a pulse.
-VCU AT RICHMOND (Atlantic 10). It’s a rivalry game and it’s one that VCU should win, but at the same time is not exactly the easiest task in the world to accomplish. As critical as I’ve been of the VCU Rams, largely due to their weak OOC schedule, I’m starting to agree with everyone that says they have a path to landing inside the bubble. Having said that, they need to run the table to do it and avoid an early loss in the A10 Tournament.
-IOWA STATE AT OKLAHOMA STATE (Big 12). Iowa State is a solid protected seed and should be able to hold serve on the road tonight.
-TENNESSEE AT LSU (SEC). Tennessee is one of six teams that is fighting it out for a 1-seed, and they should be able to go on the road and beat an LSU team that tonight that’s nowhere near the field. This game is some rare low hanging fruit in the SEC.
-MISSISSIPPI STATE AT ALABAMA (SEC). Alabama just ended a two game skid with an impressive win over Kentucky and is still very much within reach of a #1 seed. Mississippi State has a great profile as well and could end up as a protected seed. A win tonight would go a long way toward helping them get that, but it’s easier said than done. They are also looking to bounce back from a loss to Oklahoma.
-WASHINGTON AT WISCONSIN (Big Ten). The Badgers shouldn’t have too much trouble at home tonight against a Washington Team that’s in a battle just to make the Big Ten Tournament.
-SOUTH CAROLINA AT MISSOURI (SEC). This is a rare and somewhat easy conference game for Mizzou. They have been amazingly good at home and should hold serve tonight.
-LOUISVILLE AT VIRGINIA TECH (ACC). This should be another conference road win for the Cardinals and they are very easily positioned to land in the top half of the bracket so long as they continue to hold serve for the rest of the year.
-TCU AT WEST VIRGINIA (Big 12). West Virginia still seems to be straddling the bubble. They need to show they can still win at a high level after sustaining some of the key injuries that they’ve had. A loss at home to a team that’s outside the field would not be good.
-COLORADO STATE AT AIR FORCE (Mountain West, Front Range). We at Hoops HD LOVE the Front Range!!
-IOWA AT ILLINOIS (Big Ten). Illinois is a complete mess right now and is coming off an absolute blowout against Duke over the weekend. They need a “get right game” and while beating Iowa at home won’t move the needle as far as their paper goes, it should at least help them get some of their confidence back.
-NEW MEXICO AT SAN DIEGO STATE (Mountain West). Both teams appear to be inside the bubble and both have a path to landing in the top half of the bracket. This is a good resume-building opportunity for both of them, and it should be a fun game. It usually is when these two get together!
-GONZAGA AT SANTA CLARA (West Coast). Gonzaga is coming off a home loss to rival Saint Mary’s, and while they still look like a tournament team they have had a disappointing season. This also will not be an easy road game to win. Santa Clara has looked like a tournament caliber team throughout the year, and while they don’t have the overall resume to get them there, they are certainly capable of winning this one at home tonight.
UTR WATCH:
-Akron @ Ball State (MAC) – Akron has a two game lead with just four games to go. They’re also looking to bounce back from their first conference loss of the year
-James Madison @ UL Monroe (Sun Belt) – amidst all the carnage in the SBC, James Madison is now sitting alone in 1st place and can clinch at least a share of the conference title with a win tonight