NEWS AND NOTES:
-We have had our first SURVIVAL BOARD elimination. Western Illinois fell at home to Little Rock 77-58, which mathematically eliminates them from making the Ohio Valley Tournament. 359 TEAMS REAMIN!!!
-Hofstra seems to be back on track after almost inexplicably hitting the skids. They picked up a nice 66-62 road win at Charleston last night. Even though the Pride are not at the top of the standings they appear to be the strongest team right now, although UNC Wilmington is also looking really good.
-Belmont bounced back from their overtime loss at Bradley with a 91-86 win over a Northern Iowa team that had been playing really well, but it’s probably not going to be enough to put them on the bubble even if they win out. Another case of a good UTR team that would have made it inside the bubble had they just had more opportunities during the season to prove themselves.
-And UC Irvine!!…my pick to win the Big West!!…..NEVERMIND!!!! (the lost at Cal Poly 79-73 and will fall another game behind Hawaii)
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HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-MICHIGAN STATE AT WISCONSIN (Big Ten). Wisconsin has two of the best wins that any team has managed this season having won both at Michigan and at Illinois. They have not always played at that level, though. They’ll have a tough test tonight against a good Michigan State team that’s also coming off a really big win as they knocked off Illinois in overtime.
-OHIO U AT MIAMI OH (MAC). The Battle of the Bricks!!! This is a good rivalry and tonight may be the brightest spotlight it has ever had on it. Miami is the more storied team this year and they are at home, but Ohio U will be way up for this one. It should be a fun one!!
-Yale @ Dartmouth (Ivy League) – Yale is fighting for 1st place and Dartmouth is fighting for a spot in the top 4 so they can make the conference tournament
-Brown @ Harvard (Ivy League) – Harvard is tied with Yale atop the standings and looking to stay there
-Saint Louis @ Loyola Chicago (Atlantic 10) – Saint Louis continues to blow through their schedule and should easily land in the top half of the bracket
