HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel spends much of his time in DC at Georgetown basketball home games, but with the NCAA Convention heading to the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center this week, he decided to check it out in person and prepared this photo essay from his day at National Harbor.
Transportation was easier than I expected: subway to King Street, bus to Convention Center, just over 1 hour door-to-door. I picked up my press pass and headed for the featured morning session on sports betting. It was quite an eye-opener: the dangers of prop bets, the death threats on social media, the impact on the mental health of teenagers, etc. Nobody was quite clear on how to fix everything, but at least they all agree that it is a super-serious problem.
After walking a few blocks to grab lunch from Primo Hoagies (long wait/good chicken cheesesteak), I made it back just in time for the D-1 business session about NIL featuring panelists from the College Sports Commission. They admitted that they are severely understaffed because they are overseeing thousands of deals that add up to millions of dollars…so if you are looking for a job and can commute to their office in Tyson’s Corner, VA, then feel free to give them a buzz!
The weirdest part of the day was the subsequent D-1 business session. The NCAA voting membership spent 30 minutes approving a proposal to award “performance units” to the 2 winners in the Final 4 as well as the winner of the title game. I was surprised to learn that these units were not already in place, but even more surprised that representatives of the “have-nots” voted in favor of a plan that would only reward the “haves”.
The most inspiring part of the day was the NCAA Honors event in the evening. My main reasons for attending were to see 2 of the Silver Anniversary Award recipients: 1 basketball player whom I have interviewed in the past (former Tennessee 4-time All-American Tamika Catchings) and 1 football player who you might have heard of (former Maxwell Award winner Drew Brees):
However, the incredible stories of some of the other honorees who I had never heard of (the tennis player who recovered from a brain injury to get back onto the court, the baseball coach who jumped into a river to save someone’s life, etc.) are the ones that I will remember the most.
I left the program early to join the “media scrum” featuring NCAA President Charlie Baker (left) and ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips (right). I got to meet them both very briefly, and they were very nice…but sadly they only had a few minutes to spare so there was not enough time for me to ask them any questions:
The highlight of the night was the post-scrum welcome reception. I was expecting chips and soda, but it was worth the wait for a better spread than I have seen at some weddings. Crabcakes grilled right in front of me at the serving table, fancy smores, and an open bar: oh my (no photos available because there was nothing left after I finished feasting on everything)!
Thanks to the NCAA for hooking me up: there are still plenty of changes they need to make, but they put on a great party and gave me access to everything I wanted so I will save any criticism for the future.
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-Iowa State came into yesterday’s game against Kansas unbeaten, and when it came to losing their first game they did not mess around! Kansas, who had not looked nearly as good as they did last night at any prior point of the season, absolutely blew their doors off 84-63. They defended, they forced turnovers, they hit shots, it was an amazing performance and one the Jayhawks kind of needed.
-Seton Hall had beaten UConn at home four years in a row and nealry did it again last night. They overcame a double digit second half deficit and had a chance to tie on their last possession of the game, but ended up coming up short and after two late freethrows the Huskies escaped 69-64.
-Virginia jumped out to a 14-0 lead on Louisville and Louisville just never caught back up. The Hoos picked up a really nice 79-70 road win.
-Tennesee needed two overtimes to get by Texas A&M in what was probably the most exciting game of the night, but the Vols prevailed 87-82.
-Minnesota hit a game-tying shot against rival Wisconsin with just about 5 seconds to play and appeared to force the game into overtime, but Wisconsin hit a game winning shot at the buzzer to pick up a huge 68-65 road win against their rivals. Wisky has had a hell of a week! They’ve won at Michigan and at Minnesota and suddenly their resume looks amazing!
-Alabama and Florida both picked up solid conference road wins as Alabama knocked off Mississippi State 97-82 and the Gators, who are really playing a lot better now, won at Oklahoma 96-79.
-Baylor got a much needed road win at Oklahoma State 94-79, which is just their first Big 12 win of the year.
-Boise State is a team that would still come up in our Hoops HD shows and email threads. Well, we can now officially call the morgue. They’re dead. They lost to UNLV 89-85 last night to fall to just 1-5 in MWC play. Couple that with their loss to Hawaii Pacific and the only way they go anywhere will be to win the conference tournament.
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HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:
-IOWA AT PURDUE (Big Ten). Iowa’s predictive metrics are good, but the rest of their resume needs a lot of work. They’ve also lost two straight and not looked all that strong in either game. Purdue is still in reach of a #1 seed and should be able to hold serve at home.
-AUBURN AT MISSOURI (SEC). Both teams have a lot of work to do to get their resumes up to being solidly NCAA Tournament worthy, but both are also starting to play better. This game has a pivotal feel to it for both teams as they both look to keep their momentum going.
-KENTUCKY AT LSU (SEC). I have not been impressed with either team and don’t believe either one to be solidly inside the bubble at the moment. Having said that, both can still play their way in and both could really use this win tonight.
-VANDERBILT AT TEXAS (SEC). Texas is coming off a big win at Arkansas, which has breathed life into a season that prior to that had seemed rather lifeless. If they can follow that up with a win tonight against Vandy it would give their resume another much needed boost. Vandy is unbeaten, but they will likely be challenged tonight on the road.
-NORTH CAROLINA AT STANFORD (ACC). This is a hugely important game. A road win would boost the value of UNC’s resume who to date only has one other true road win so far. Stanford has started to play better and can continue to build up their resume. I could see this one going either way. Both are good.
-VIRGINIA TECH AT SMU (ACC). Both teams are likely to land inside the bubble, but both could also stand to build up their resumes. A win tonight would be a decent resume boost for whichever team pulls it off, especially VA Tech since they are on the road.
-TCU AT BYU (Big 12). TCU has lost their last two games, which were against Kansas and Arizona. Their tough stretch continues as they go on the road against a top ten team. BYU has just one loss and should win this one, but TCU can play at a high level, so they better not completely overlook them.
OTHER NOTABLE GAMES:
-High Point @ Winthrop (Big South) – these are two of the better teams in the Big South and this is perhaps High Point’s most challenging remaining game
-Ole Miss @ Georgia (SEC) – Ole Miss has had a really tough year despite being really talented. Georgia should be able to hold serve at home
-Tulsa @ Charlotte (American) – Tulsa needs to win out to get a serious look from the committee and that may not even be enough
-Colorado @ Cincinnati (Big 12) – Colorado is on the outside looking in, but this is a winnable road game that will get them to 13-4 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 play
-Saint Peter’s @ Quinnipiac (MAAC) – both teams are 5-1 in MAAC play, so this is a pivotal game for Quinnipiac
-Southern Miss @ Troy (Sun Belt) – both teams have just one loss in SBC play and both have been playing well lately
-UAB @ Tulane (American) – Tulane can improve to 13-4 overall and stay unbeaten in the American
-San Diego State @ Wyoming (Mountain West) – after a disappointing start to the season, San Diego State has really gotten rolling. They’ve won eight of their last nine with the only loss coming against top ranked Arziona. This is a tough road game, though.
-Fordham @ Saint Louis (Atlantic 10) – SLU should win this one easily and improve to 16-1
-UCF @ Kansas State (Big 12) – UCF is a solid 13-2 on the year, but they’re just 1-1 in true road games, so that part of their resume needs some work. A win tonight would help
-Illinois @ Northwestern (Big Ten) – the Illini should cruise and pick up a conference road win in this one
-UCLA @ Penn State (Big Ten) – both teams have shown signs of life throughout the year, but both still have a ton of work to do and both really need to win this one tonight
-Utah @ Texas Tech (Big 12) – Texas Tech is getting stronger as the year goes on and they should be able to hold serve at home in this one
-South Carolina @ Arkansas (SEC) – Arkansas was blown out at Auburn in their last game, but should be able to bounce back tonight
-Nevada @ Utah State (Mountain West) – Nevada has been solid since the start of conference play, but Utah State is really good and they’re at home, so it’s one they should win.
-Pacific @ Santa Clara (West Coast) – Santa Clara is outside the bubble, but they are perhaps close enough to it to reach it. They can’t afford to lose a game like this at home, though
-Arizona State @ Arizona (Big 12) – It’s a rivalry game, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a mismatch. Arizona is the top ranked team in the nation and they are at home. They should roll.
-Michigan @ Washington (Big Ten) – Michigan will look to rebound from a tough loss to Wisconsin in their last game and pick up another true road win
-Duke @ California (ACC) – this is potentially a tough road game for Duke, but it’s one they should win
-VIRGINIA AT LOUISVILLE (ACC). Both teams are solidly in the rankings and both should easily finish in the top half of the bracket. Both have a shot at making a run at a protected seed, but for that to happen they’d need to finish strong and a win today would certainly help. Virginia in particular is an impressive 14-2 and looking for their 3rd true road win.
-TEXAS A&M AT TENNESSEE (SEC). TAMU is off to a 3-0 start in conference play, is 13-3 overall, and appears to be getting better as the season goes on. They don’t have a win as good as this one would be if they’re somehow able to beat the Vols on the road. Tennessee has lost two of their last three, but is a perfect 9-0 at home.
-WISCONSIN AT MINNESOTA (Big Ten). It’s a conference rivalry game between two teams that are starting to play a lot better. Wisky is coming off one of the biggest singular wins that any team has managed this season, and Minney is coming off an overtime loss to USC, but they had won five straight before that. Both teams still have a lot of work to do and both could really use this one tonight.
-MIAMI FL AT NOTRE DAME (ACC). Miami has won nine in a row, but none of the wins came in games that were really all that tough. Notre Dame has lost two straight, but can still be tough to beat at home. And…I’m not going to make any jokes about how this game impacts the CFP Playoffs because it would just be too easy.
-CONNECTICUT AT SETON HALL (Big East). Seton Hall is having a fantastic season and has cracked the top 25. They’re at home tonight for what is a major showcase game against a UConn team that is ranked 3rd and within reach of a 1-seed. The crowd should be absolutely bonkers for this one, and Seton Hall is richly deserving of their ranking, but UConn is still good enough to win this one on the road.
-INDIANA AT MICHIGAN STATE (Big Ten). Indiana has been playing better and is perhaps within reach of the bubble, but it will take a win like this in order for them to reach it and get inside of it. Michigan State is a solid protected seed and should be able to hold serve in this one.
-IOWA STATE AT KANSAS (Big 12). Iowa State will be challenged on the road. Winning at Kansas is never easy. Having said that, Iowa State is unbeaten, has won some tough road games already and is in the hunt for a #1 seed which means this is certainly the kind of game they can win. Kansas is looking to bounce back from a loss to West Virginia in their last game, but they’ll be facing a huge challenge despite being at home.
-ALABAMA AT MISSISSIPPI STATE (SEC). Alabama is coming off a somewhat surprising loss at home to Texas and looking to bounce back. Mississippi State had won five straight, but was blown out at Kentucky in their last game and is looking to bounce back from that. Both teams really need this, but they’re in very different places. Alabama needs it to stay within range of a protected seed and Mississippi State needs it to get closer to the bubble.
-FLORIDA AT OKLAHOMA (SEC). Florida has won six of their last seven and starting to look a lot better. This is a big road game for them against an Oklahoma team that’s a perfect 8-0 at home and looking to snap a two game losing streak. Florida is still looking for their first true road win, so they need this on their profile.
OTHER NOTABLE GAMES:
-Villanova @ Providence (Big East) – It can be difficult to win at Providence, and the last couple of games for Nova have been struggles, but this is one they should win
-Marquette @ Saint John’s (Big East) – Marquette has lost 7 of their last 8 and is an absolute dumpster fire. The Johnnies are starting to play better and should hold serve at home
-Kent State @ Buffalo (MAC) – these are two of the better teams in the MAC
-Boston College @ Clemson (ACC) – if there is such a thing as a conference buy game, this is it
-George Mason @ Loyola Chicago (Atlantic 10) -Mason is 16-1 on the year and shouldn’t have too much trouble getting to 17-1
-Dayton @ Duquesne (Atlantic 10) -Dayton’s overall season has been a little disappointing, but it hasn’t been a complete bust and they’re a perfect 3-0 in A10 play
-Central Michigan @ Miami OH (MAC) – Miami is continuing to climb the polls and can improve to 18-0 on the season
-Valparaiso @ Belmont (Missouri Valley) – Belmont is coming off a huge come from behind win and can keep the bubble within arms length so long as they can keep winning
-West Virginia @ Houston (Big 12) – West Virginia is coming off a huge win against Kansas, but they are on the road today against a team that’s even better. WVU has been playing better, but Houston should hold serve at home
-Oregon @ Nebraska (Big Ten) – Nebraska is unbeaen and will likely remain that way
-Baylor @ Oklahoma State (Big 12) – Oklahoma State is a respectable 13-3, but their schedule has not been the best so far and they still have a lot of work to do. They need to hold serve in this one
-Grand Canyon @ New Mexico (Mountain West) -most of us at Hoops HD feel that New Mexico is inside the bubble right now. They need to hold serve in this one in order to stay there
-Florida State @ Syracuse (ACC) – Syracuse has a lot of work to do and can’t afford to lose this one at home
-Maryland @ USC (Big Ten) – USC has struggled some lately, but should be able to hold serve in this one
-Saint Mary’s @ San Francisco (West Coast) – SMC has been on a roll lately, but while San Francisco has struggled they still have a lot of talent and Saint Mary’s may be challenged tonight.
It was both a busy and crazy week last week and we recap all the action! Auburn had an eventful week with a loss right at the buzzer to Texas A&M, but followed that up with a blowout win against Arkansas. Wisconsin pulled a massive upset at Michigan which takes them from way outside the bubble to solidly in the picture. Arizona is at the top of both polls and remains unbeaten on the season. Houston also had a big week and appears to be getting tougher and tougher as the season progresses. UConn has a big game coming up at Seton Hall in the Big East, and Saint John’s is also starting to look a lot better. We discuss all that, and more!
And for all you radio lovers, below is an audio only version of the show…
A full panel has been assembled and they build this week’s seedlist line by line! They debate, discuss, assess, and argue about each team as they go. Find out who they have on the #1 lines so far, who is safely in, who still has work to do, and who on the bubble just made it in and just missed it.
Below is a final copy of The Bracket, but don’t look at it until you’ve watched the show!!
And for all you radio lovers, below is an audio only version of the show…
We are 9 weeks away from Selection Sunday as we begin to make our NCAA tourney predictions. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel correctly picked 66 of the 68 teams that made the 2025 tourney: 62 of his 66 were within 1 spot of their actual seed and 52 were right on the money. He will spend the upcoming months predicting which 68 teams will hear their names called on March 15th. See below for his list of who would make the cut if they picked the field today and if you agree or disagree then feel free to tweet us. To see how he stacks up with other websites (ranked 7th out of 186 bracket veterans over the past 5 years), check out: www.bracketmatrix.com
SEED: TEAM (CONFERENCE) 1: Arizona (Big 12) 1: Michigan (Big 10) 1: Connecticut (Big East) 1: Iowa State (Big 12)
