-VERMONT AT NJIT (America East) – NJIT is eliminated with either a loss in this game or if UMass Lowell wins their game
-CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD AT LONG BEACH STATE (Big West) – Long Beach is eliminated if they lose and if Hawaii beats UC Riverside
NEWS AND NOTES:
-For the UNDER THE RADAR Video Podcast Season Finale – CLICK HERE
-Michigan State’s game at Maryland was a bit of a rock fight. Michigan State maintained control for most of the game, but then Maryland came back, tied it, and had a chance to win in the final seconds. A game-winning 3-pointer missed and then Michigan State heaved it the length of the floor as time expired….and it went in! Another big road win for Michigan State and a stunning kick in the stomach to Maryland. The Terps are still in good shape overall, though.
-Vanderbilt had been pitiful on the road for most of the year, but they greatly improved their resume yesterday. They went on the road to Texas A&M, who is a solid protected seed, and basically maintained a lead for the entire game and picked up a massive 86-84 win. It is probably their biggest of the season and will certainly move them up the seedlist.
-Kentucky at Oklahoma was an absolute thriller that also came down to the final seconds and saw several lead changes late in the game. After a go-ahead basket put Kentucky up 83-82 Oklahoma drove the length of the court, but had their shot blocked as time expired. Kentucky hadn’t been the best road team, so this win makes their resume look a lot better. Oklahoma was squarely on the bubble and really needed this one, so this loss definitely hurts them.
-BYU, who I had been criticizing for not playing well on the road, picked up another road win at Arizona State last night 91-81. Their resume has really improved over the last several weeks and I now believe them to be safely inside the bubble.
-Wake Forest, who was squarely on the bubble, did something that no team on the bubble should do. They lost at home to someone that is nowhere near the bubble. The 83-75 home loss to Virginia is a massive setback for the Deacs that they may not be able to recover from.
-Arkansas needed overtime after a 2nd half Texas comeback, but they finished off the Longhorns and picked up a win that they really needed. Arkansas still has some work to do, but they are within reach of making the field.
-Boise State is making a strong run to finish the season and last night picked up another really nice win as they knocked off Utah State 82-65. While it was a home game, it’s still a big win and they may be able to sneak inside the bubble.
-Ohio State picked up a road win that they really needed as they knocked off USC 87-82. Their profile remains scattershot, but the road win definitely helps.
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HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-RUTGERS AT MICHIGAN (Big Ten). Michigan is on pace to get a protected seed and just needs to hold serve tonight against a Rutgers team that’s talented, but that may still be a year away from being very dangerous.
-IDAHO STATE AT IDAHO (Big Sky). One of favorite rivalries in D1!! This game won’t impact the bracket, and really won’t impact the Big Sky, but the winner walks away with the King Spud Trophy!!!
-UC SAN DIEGO AT CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (Big West). This is a hugely important game. UC San Diego should be inside the bubble even if they don’t win the conference tournament, but this is one of their tougher conference games of the season. Cal State Northridge is on fire. They’ve won seven straight and are playing as well as anyone in the conference and will not be easy to beat on their home floor. This is a game that UCSD should get a fair amount of credit for if they win. They’ve shown they can win tough games this season and need to do it again tonight.
-SAINT MARY’S AT LMU (West Coast Conference). Saint Mary’s has already wrapped up first place and appears to be cruising toward the top half of the NCAA Tournament Bracket. They should be able to hold serve and pick up another road win tonight.
UTR WATCH:
-Bryant @ UMass Lowell (American East) – Bryant has a one game lead over a Vermont team that is red hot with just three games to go. This will be one of their tougher road tests tonight. The 1st place team has home court advantage throughout the conference tournament
-Vermont @ NJIT (America East) – Vermont is tied for 1st place with Bryant with just three games to go
-Robert Morris @ IU Indy (Horizon League) – Robert Morris is in a tie for 1st place and this is their last regular season game
-LeMoyne @ Central Connecticut (Northeast Conference) – Central Connecticut clinches 1st place and home court advantage with a win
-William & Mary @ Towson (Coastal Athletic) – Towson can clinch 1st place outright with a win tonight
-Chattanooga @ UNC Greensboro (SoCon) – These are the top two teams in the conference. Chattanooga has a one game lead and with two games to go. A win for Chattanooga clinches it for them, and a win by UNCG means they are tied.
-Jacksonsville State @ Liberty (Conference USA) – these two are currently tied (in the loss column) atop the CUSA standings
-SEMO @ SIUE (Ohio Valley) – these are the top two teams in the OVC. SEMO has already clinched a share of 1st place after nine straight wins. A win tonight gives it to them outright
-Cleveland State @ Wright State (Horizon League) – Cleveland State had been cruising, but they’ve now lost four out of their last six and are in a tie with Robert Morris for 1st place
-Montana @ Sacramento State (Big Sky) – Montana has a one game lead over Northern Colorado with just three games to go