Conference Tourney Previews (Part 1 of 2)

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Jon Teitel

HoopsHD kicks off the greatest time of the year with a 2-part preview of every single conference tourney in the nation. Jon Teitel commences our coverage with his predictions for the 14 conference tourneys getting underway before March 6th, and you can check back next weekend for his picks concerning the 17 other conference tourneys.

*Due to some conference tourneys starting in February while other conferences’ regular seasons are not yet complete you will notice many things in flux: we will try to update the seeding/stats that change in the days ahead but the picks will remain the same. 

America East tourney predicted champ: Vermont (#2 seed)
Dates: February 26-March 13
Location: Campus sites
2019 tourney champ: Vermont (#1 seed)
Fun fact: Vermont has made each of past 4 title games
Seeding: each of past 5 champs were top-2 seed
It is usually hard to get excited about a 10-win team that lost 2 in a row at home to NJIT/Albany earlier this year, but the Catamounts have gone 8-1 since those losses and have owned this tourney for the past several years so you have to like their chances. Fans might have been concerned after star player Anthony Lamb graduated last year but last year’s award winners have become this year’s stars in 2020 conference DPOY Ben Shungu/2021 conference POY Ryan Davis. Since the higher seed will host each tourney game in which they play, Vermont cannot wait to welcome teams to Patrick Gymnasium where they have lost exactly 2 home games this season by a combined 2 PTS. Coach John Becker knows how to win games in March: he made a postseason tourney during each of his 1st 8 years as the head man in Burlington and probably would have made it last year were it not for COVID.

Atlantic Sun tourney predicted champ: Bellarmine (#2 seed)
Dates: March 3-7
Location: Jacksonville, FL
2020 tourney champ: Liberty (#1 seed)
Fun fact: 5 different champs since 2014
Seeding: 9 of past 10 champs were top-2 seed
Bellarmine and Liberty separated themselves from the rest of field all season long and wrapped up the season this weekend with a 16-PT road win by Liberty in Freedom Hall. Bellarmine is ineligible for the NCAA tourney so the conference tourney is their Super Bowl. Coach Scott Davenport might be new to D-1 head coaching but he has more experience than most of his opponents: he was a grad assistant to Denny Crum, assistant to Rick Pitino, and won a D-2 national title 10 years ago while being named D-2 national COY. And considering their PG is named “Penn”, who did you think I was going to pick?! Give me Liberty or give me death…on 2nd thought just give me the Knights!

A-10 tourney predicted champ: Richmond (#8 seed)
Dates: March 3-14
Location: Richmond, VA & Dayton, OH
2019 tourney champ: St. Louis (#6 seed)
Fun fact: 5 different champs since 2015
Seeding: only 1 of past 9 champs were top-2 seed
This tourney has not been kind to top-2 seeds in the past so you should think twice before just giving the trophy to VCU or St. Bonaventure. The Spiders have proven they can win away from home against all kinds of teams such as Kentucky on the road in November and Loyola Chicago in Indianapolis in December. Coach Chris Mooney has used the exact same starting lineup in every single game (featuring 4 seniors/1 sophomore) and that continuity/experience is why teams win games in March. It also helps that the majority of this tourney will be in their backyard and that SR PG Jacob Gilyard is leading the nation with 3.6 SPG.

Big South tourney predicted champ: Winthrop (#1 seed)
Dates: February 27-March 7
Location: Campus sites
2020 tourney champ: Winthrop (#2 seed)
Fun fact: 5 different champs since 2015
Seeding: only 1 of past 6 champs was #1 seed
History shows that this tourney usually features some upsets but we have rarely seen a 1-loss team like the Eagles. They are 20-1 and only a 2-PT home loss to UNC-Asheville away from perfection after blowing an 8-PT lead in the final 5 minutes. Coach Pat Kelsey has 1 of the best PGs in the nation in 2021 conference POY Chandler Vaudrin (6.7 APG) and 1 of the best 6th men in the nation in Adonis Arms (10.7 PPG off the bench). He also has a PF in DJ Burns who was the 3rd-best high school prospect coming out of South Carolina back in 2018 behind a couple of guys named Zion Williamson/Ja Morant! Winthrop is 1 of a handful of teams who actually won a conference tourney in 2020 and they should be a heavy favorite to make it 2 in a row.

CAA tourney predicted champ: James Madison (#1 seed)
Dates: March 6-9
Location: Harrisonburg, VA
2020 tourney champ: Hofstra (#1 seed)
Fun fact: 4 different champs since 2017
Seeding: each of past 20 champs were top-3 seed
The sentimental pick (as always) is the Tribe because they are 1 of only 4 original D-1 schools (along with Army/Citadel/St. Francis NY) who have never made the NCAA tourney. James Madison started this season 3-4 including home losses to Norfolk State/Morgan State and seemed to be preparing to throw in the towel. However, new coach Mark Byington flipped the switch in early-January and they have won 10 of 11 since then with only a 9-PT road loss at Northeastern in January. SR G Matt Lewis is no stranger to heroics in this tourney (he made a game-winning 3 with 2.7 seconds left in a 2019 CAA tourney win over Towson), but a season-ending knee injury means this tourney is now wide-open. I always get nervous about picking teams who have multiple freshman in their starting lineup, but as long as Justin Amadi/Terell Strickland continue to shoot a combined 40.7 3P% I will continue to believe in the Dukes of Harrisonburg…which is where this tourney will be played.

Horizon tourney predicted champ: Wright State (#2 seed)
Dates: February 25-March 9
Location: Campus sites and Indianapolis, IN
2020 tourney champ: Northern Kentucky (#2 seed)
Fun fact: Northern Kentucky has won this tourney 3 times in past 4 years
Seeding: none of past 5 champs were #1 seed
I love Loudon Love, you love Loudon Love, and unfortunately for Cleveland State this tourney does not love #1 seeds so no love for the Vikings. The Raiders lost 3 of 4 in early-January but then got it going and won 10 of their final 11 with only a 6-PT loss at Northern Kentucky last week. Coach Scott Nagy has more than 500 career wins and needs just 1 more to extend his streak of 19-wins seasons to 11 in a row. Each of his top-4 players are averaging at least 10 PPG/6 RPG so unless you can play some defense or hit the boards they will just keep scoring and rebounding until they win it all.

MVC tourney predicted champ: Loyola Chicago (#1 seed)
Dates: March 4-7
Location: St. Louis, MO
2020 tourney champ: Bradley (#4 seed)
Fun fact: 4 different champs since 2016
Seeding: 3 of past 5 champs were #4 or #5 seed
The Ramblers lost back-to-back games vs. Wisconsin/Richmond in mid-December but since then they have won 18 of 20 with the 2 losses by a combined 6 PTS. If Drake had a healthy Roman Penn/Tank Hemphill then I would give them some serious consideration, but they do not so this is the Ramblers’ title to lose. The stat that stands out is a best-in-the-nation 55.7 PPG allowed because (as everyone knows) defense wins championships. Coach Porter Moser made the Final 4 in 2018 with now-SR Cameron Krutwig so they both know what it takes to win games in March.

NEC predicted champ: Wagner (#1 seed)
Dates: March 6-9
Location: Campus sites
2020 tourney champ: Robert Morris (#1 seed)
Fun fact: only 4 champs in past 13 years are Fairleigh Dickinson/Long Island/Mount St. Mary’s/Robert Morris
Seeding: each of past 21 champs were top-4 seed
History tells us to pick a top-4 seed who has been 1 of the only 4 champs during the past 13 years…which is a problem because none of the prior champs are in the top-4 and this year we only have a 4-team conference tourney. I do not love Bryant because they got swept at Fairleigh Dickinson to finish January, but I do not love Wagner because they got swept at Bryant to open conference play. When all else fails just pick the hottest team so let’s go with the Seahawks, who started the season 1-5 (including a double-OT home loss to Sacred Heart) but then won 9 in a row. If Coach Bashir Mason can lead Wagner to its 2nd NCAA tourney appearance ever then they might have to rename Staten Island after him. I just wish FR G DeLonnie Hunt would stop shooting from inside the arc (38.4%) because he is just as good from outside the arc (36.8%).

OVC predicted champ: Belmont (#1 seed)
Dates: March 3-6
Location: Evansville, IN
2020 tourney champ: Belmont (#1 seed)
Fun fact: 4 different champs in past 5 years
Seeding: 5 of past 7 champs were not #1 seed
The Bruins had 1 of the most inexplicable losses in D-1 this season when they lost to Samford at home by 13 PTS in early-December. On the other hand, I am pretty sure that is the exception rather than the rule as they got off to a 24-1 start! When you consider that Coach Casey Alexander also won each of his final 12 games last year (including the conference title game over Murray State) you start to get a sense of just what an incredible run his team is on. Belmont is automatic inside the arc (62 2P% is #2 in the nation) but the really scary part is that they do not have a single senior on the roster. Their frontcourt stands 6’6”/6’8”/6’11” so they are quite capable of beating up on smaller teams thanks to JR C Nick Muszynski (the defending conference tourney MVP), although if he remains injured then this whole tourney is up for grabs.

Patriot predicted champ: Colgate (#2 seed)
Dates: March 6-14
Location: Campus sites
2020 tourney champ: Boston University (#3 seed)
Fun fact: Colgate has been in title game in each of past 3 years
Seeding: each of past 4 champs were top-3 seed
Navy is the sentimental favorite: it would be quite a sight to see the Midshipmen win this tourney for the 1st time since 1998. However, my own sentiment lies with my fellow Penn alum Matt Langel, whose only loss all year was by 2 PTS to Army in their 2nd game of the year. The play “Hamilton” was a smash hit on Broadway and the home-cooking that the Raiders will get while playing each of their postseason games in the city of Hamilton as the higher seed should pay similar dividends. They live by the 3 on both offense (38.4% is top-20 in the nation) and defense (26.3% allowed is #1 in the nation). Few things keep a coach calmer in March than a SR PG and Colgate has 1 of the best in the business in 2019 conference tourney MVP Jordan Burns (17.1 PPG/5.5 APG/40.8 3P%/89.8 FT%).

SoCon predicted champ: UNC-Greensboro (#1 seed)
Dates: March 5-8
Location: Asheville, NC
2020 tourney champ: East Tennessee State (#1 seed)
Fun fact: only 3 teams in title game during past 4 years are East Tennessee State/UNC-Greensboro/Wofford
Seeding: each of past 31 champs were top-3 seed
History says that the winner will be 1 of the 3 champs from the past 4 years who are a top-3 seed, leaving us with either UNC-Greensboro or Wofford. Since the 2 teams split their season series in January it appears to be a coin flip, which means we need to find an X-factor. Terrier coach Jay McAuley has been on the sideline for 2 years while Spartan coach Wes Miller is wrapping up his 10th year in Greensboro so the advantage goes to the latter, especially when you consider his championship resume (2005 NCAA title as a player at UNC). He also has a backcourt full of award-winners in SR G Isaiah Miller (2020 conference POY/DPOY) and SO G Keyshaun Langley (2020 conference ROY).

Summit predicted champ: South Dakota State (#1 seed)
Dates: March 6-9
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
2020 tourney champ: North Dakota State (#1 seed)
Fun fact: only 2 champs from past 9 years are North Dakota State/South Dakota State
Seeding: 13 of past 15 champs were top-2 seed
The Bison and Jackrabbits have owned this tourney for the past decade and we can only pray for a rematch next month after their amazing series earlier this season with all 3 games decided by a combined 5 PTS. South Dakota was looking unstoppable in early-February with a 9-0 record (including a win over the Jackrabbits) before falling on its face with 3 straight road losses in February. Even if they do not have a lot of fans in attendance in Sioux Falls, South Dakota State can still kick butt behind the 3-PT line: their 40.7 3P% is #3 in the nation. The X-factor is FT shooting: it has not cost them yet…but if their opponents continue to shoot 79.6 FT% then they had better pray that they do not end up in a game that comes down to the wire. Defending conference POY Douglas Wilson missed an entire month from early-December to early-January but has been great since returning to the court by leading his team to an 8-3 record.

Sun Belt predicted champ: Texas State (#1 seed)
Dates: March 5-8
Location: Pensacola, FL
2019 tourney champ: Georgia State (#1 seed)
Fun fact: Georgia State has won 3 titles since 2015
Seeding: 4 of past 5 champs were top-2 seed
Georgia State has owned this league for the past several year but with only 6 conference wins this year it might be time to crown a new champ. This tourney likes the top-2 seeds, and we could have a rather rare title game scenario next month as South Alabama and Texas State have not faced each other since their regular season finale…in 2020. Coach Danny Kaspar resigned last September but Terrence Johnson stepped right in and has not missed a beat, although the nice folks at Our Lady of the Lake might direct your attention to their 3-PT win in San Marcos December! If they can get the job done then we will see them in the NCAA tourney for the 1st time since 1997.

WCC predicted champ: Gonzaga (#1 seed)
Dates: March 4-9
Location: Las Vegas, NV
2020 tourney champ: Gonzaga (#1 seed)
Fun fact: Gonzaga has won 17 titles in past 22 years and finished 2nd each of the other 5 times
Seeding: 16 of past 17 champs were top-2 seed
Coach Mark Few’s dominance of this conference since taking over in Spokane in 1999 remains almost incomprehensible: 20 straight NCAA tourney appearances, 20 regular season titles, 16 conference tourney titles, and a 13-time conference COY. The Bulldogs have lost exactly 4 regular season/postseason conference games during the past 5 YEARS so the smart money in Vegas is not on the rest of the field. They have a senior who can shoot from outside (Corey Kispert: 45.7 3P%), a sophomore who can score from anywhere (Drew Timme: 64.9 FG%), and a freshman who can do everything (Jalen Suggs: 14.1 PPG/4.3 APG/2 SPG).

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News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Thursday, Feb 25th

Posted on February 25, 2021 by David Griggs

HAPPY MARCH MADNESS EVERYBODY!!!!  It’s not March yet, but conference tournaments do tip off tonight, so as far as we are concerned, IT IS MARCH!!

CLICK HERE for our first installment of our CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK VIDEO NOTEBOOK, as well as our most recent UNDER THE RADAR video podcast

NEWS AND NOTES

-For Chad Sherwood’s UTR Game of the Day between Belmont and Eastern Kentucky – CLICK HERE

-The game of the night was Alabama at Arkansas, and the Razorbacks certainly showed they can play with top ten teams.  They were basically in control for the whole game, and whenever Alabama would make a run at them they’d answer.  They ended with a very impressive 81-66 in (the margin was widened with a lot of late freetrhows in the final couple minutes).  Arkansas is playing their best basketball of the season at exactly the right time.

-Virginia has had a few head scratching losses this season, and we saw another one last night as they feel at home to an NC State team that’s nowhere near making the field.  It’s a bit of a setback for the Hoos, and may knock them down the seedlist a bit, but they’re still in good shape overall.   Speaking of head scratching losses….

-North Carolina was basically run off their own floor by Marquette last night.  The final score was 83-70, but the margin for most of the second half was a lot more than that.  Marquette is nowhere near the field, and is just 11-12 overall for the season, but they have perhaps the most impressive slate of wins that any non-tournament team has ever had.  They’ve beaten Wisconsin, Creighton, and won handily at North Carolina.

-Clemson went into Wake Forest and won 60-39.  That isn’t too important in and of itself other than that it is just the second true road win of the season for Clemson, so I think it did help them out some.

-Saint Bonaventure picked up nice (and hard fought) win at Davidson 56-53.  If the Bonnies can hold serve, which basically means winning nearly all of their remaining games, then they should be relatively safe for a bid.

-Seton Hall did what no bubble team should ever do, and that’s lose to a team that’s having a lousy season.  They fell to Butler last night 61-52, and that one is gonna leave a mark!

-Indiana is in real trouble.  They looked good for the first ten minutes or so against Rutgers, but looked absolutely lousy after that as Rutgers basically blew them off the floor.  The Scarlet Knights’ NCAA Tournament drought will almost assuredly end this year, unless the tournament is cancelled again for whatever reason.

-Xavier is in trouble.  They are squarely on the bubble and were beaten rather handily by a Providence team that is squarely outside the bubble.  They need some big wins between now and the end in order to feel safe.

 

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-GONZAGA AT SANTA CLARA (West Coast).  Gonzaga is cruising to a #1 seed and continues to hold on to the overall #1 ranking in both polls.

-IOWA AT MICHIGAN (Big Ten).  Both teams are ranked in the top ten, and Michigan appears to be on pace to lock up a #1 seed, especially if they can continue to win games like this.  I’ve been impressed with how Iowa has played in their last few games, but they will need to play at a very high level to beat a #1 caliber seeded team on the road.

-NEBRASKA AT ILLINOIS (Big Ten).  Illinois is coming off a rather surprising loss to Michigan State.  They had been on an absolute rampage before that.  This should be an easy bounce back game for them.

-WESTERN KENTUCKY AT HOUSTON.  This is a HUGE opportunity for both teams, and it’s great for both of them that it got scheduled.  For Houston, it’s a chance to add another solid win to their resume.  For WKU, it’s a chance to pretty much lock up a spot inside the bubble, and even if they don’t win the game they should be able to improve their adjusted efficiency numbers a little bit and and give their NET a bit of a nudge.

-UCLA AT UTAH (Pac 12).  This isn’t the easiest road trip in the world to make, but for a team that appears to be good enough to land in the top half of the bracket like UCLA it’s a game they should be able to win.

-BELMONT AT EASTERN KENTUCKY (Ohio Valley).  I think Belmont needs to win out to have any sort of a shot at an at-large, and even if they do win out that still might not be enough, but they will at least be in the conversation.

-OHIO STATE AT MICHIGAN STATE (Big Ten).  Michigan State surprised Illinois in their last game, so the Buckeyes don’t want to overlook them.  It’s a good chance to pick up a solid road win after falling to Michigan over the weekend and keep themselves well on pace to earn a #1 seed.

-USC AT COLORADO (Pac 12).  Both are probable tournament teams, but both could also climb the seedlist with a win tonight.  USC is still within reach of a protected seed if they can finish strong.

-BOISE STATE AT SAN DIEGO STATE (Mountain West).  This game is hugely important for both teams.  Both are looking to lock up tournament bids, and while it’s possible that both will make it, if one of these teams can sweep this series they’ll be breathing a lot easier.

-SAN FRANCISCO AT BYU (West Coast).  BYU just needs to hold serve the rest of the way and they should be fine for a bid.  They’ve actually got a solid chance of landing in the top half of the bracket.

-OREGON AT STANFORD (Pac 12).  Both teams appear to be inside the bubble, but neither look like they are in the top half of the bracket, and both are still in a situation to where they could slide outside of it.  This is a huge opportunity for both teams, and both need to come in with a sense of urgency.

-NORTHWESTERN AT MINNESOTA (Big Ten).  It’s the same story with Minnesota.  They have some great wins at home, but that in and of itself may not be enough.  A home loss in a game like this would really sink them.

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Under the Radar Game of the Day – Thursday, February 25

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Chad

Belmont at Eastern Kentucky, 8:00 PM Eastern, espn+

The Belmont Bruins are two wins away from going a perfect 20-0 against Ohio Valley Conference competition in the regular season; however, their final two games are also their two toughest games of the season — tonight at third place Eastern Kentucky and Saturday at second place Morehead State.  Belmont enters play tonight on a 21 game winning streak, 24-1 overall and 18-0 in the OVC.  They have five players all averaging 10 or more points per game led by Nick Muszynski’s 15.2.  Ben Sheppard was the standout star in Belmont’s 92-74 home win over EKU on February 11, with 25 points and 10 rebounds.  If the Bruins can get the strong, balanced scoring attack that has given them the top-rated offense in the Ohio Valley again tonight, there may be no stopping them.

Eastern Kentucky currently sits at 19-6 overall and 13-5 in conference play.  Tre King with 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game is leading the way for the Colonels, who are rated #2 in fastest Tempo in the entire nation by KenPom.  The colonels love to run the ball and are consistently putting up 80 or more points per game.  They will need to find a way to outscore Belmont tonight if they want to win this game, and that may be a tall order given that the Bruins held all five EKU starters to single-digit scoring the last tie the two teams met.

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Under the Radar: Feb 24th (and Championship Week Video Notebook: Day 0)

Posted on February 24, 2021 by David Griggs

WELCOME SELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS!!  We are here to serve you!!  CLICK HERE to view the NCAA TOURNAMENT SURVIVAL BOARD!!  It will tell you EXACTLY what teams you should be considering!!

-For our Conference Tournament Tab – CLICK HERE

-For our most recent Bracket Projections – CLICK HERE

This is our final episode of Under the Radar for the season.   Conference Tournament play tips off tomorrow and we will have our Championship Week Video Notebook updates every night.  We begin tonight by looking at the Horizon League, whose tournament tips off tomorrow, and discuss if we think there are any potential upsets in the opening round, and how we think Wright State and Cleveland State are the two favorites to win it all.

From there we run through the other 21 UTR Leagues and discuss the chances of teams like Drake, Western Kentucky, Belmont, and Winthrop of making the NCAA Tournament if they don’t win their conference tournaments, look at all the conferences races as we come down the stretch of the regular season, and much more!  And, as always, we close with this week’s UTR Top Ten.

And for all you radio lovers, below is an audio only version of the show…

HORIZON LEAGUE OPENING ROUND

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Do not drop the Mike: HoopsHD interviews McDonald’s All-American Michael Foster

Posted on February 24, 2021 by Jon Teitel

If you want to win an NCAA title you need a good coach, a great resume…and a McDonald’s All-American. Only 1 championship team since 1979 has not featured such a player (Maryland in 2002). The McDonald’s All-American Game did not take place last spring and will not be taking place this spring due to COVID, sadly. However, the rosters were announced on February 23rd after selecting the 24 best players in the nation from a list of several hundred nominees. If you do not think these guys can make an immediate impact in the fall, just ask Coach Mark Few how he likes having 2020 honoree Jalen Suggs at Gonzaga! Michigan seems to be the big winner so far as Coach Juwan Howard will be having a trio of 2021 honorees join him in Ann Arbor this fall. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Michael Foster about being named a McDonald’s All-American and how he celebrated his 18th birthday earlier this month.

You made a last-second jumper for Washington to clinch a win over La Crosse Central in the 2019 state semifinals: did you think the shot was going in, and where does that rank among the highlights of your career? I felt I would make it because I work on rhythm shots like that. It was 1 of my bigger shots.

Following that season you transferred to Hillcrest Prep: why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose Hillcrest? The competition: I love facing good competition but a lot of seniors had graduated so I would have only had a couple of games against big men had I stayed there. Hillcrest had DeAndre Ayton in the past and they were putting together a good team to play against other high-major guys. Just like 1 of my favorite quotes: “Iron sharpens iron”.

You have said that Coach Chianti Clay Sr. “changed my life”: how did he do so, and how close are the 2 of you? I never really played competitive basketball before meeting him but he just liked me because I practiced hard. He showed me how to be a professional and train every day: he is not in it for the money and showed me how to prepare both on and off the court. He pushes me really hard.

What has been the hardest part of being a high school basketball player during a pandemic? The lack of fans! Last year we would have 12,000 at our sold-out games…but this year we only have about 200. It has also been hard because we cannot travel as much to play other teams in different cities.

This year you are averaging almost 7 BPG: what is the key to blocking shots? Letting the ball leave your opponent’s hand first before you begin to jump, and making sure to leave a little space in between so you do not foul him.

On Tuesday you were named a McDonald’s All-American: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? To be recognized as a “Burger Boy” is amazing: there are so many star players who made the list in the past.

The only other player from Wisconsin (where you were born/raised) to be named a McDonald’s All-American was 2020 Gatorade state POY Patrick Baldwin, Jr. from Sussex: did you ever play with/against Patrick, and how well do you know him? I played both with and against him: we even got stuck at an airport together 1 time! He is a good friend and I think he will have a nice long career.

You are 6’9”: what position do you play now, and what position will you feel most comfortable at in the future? I am closer to 6’10”/240 pounds: I have been lifting a lot of weights! I can play the 3 in a pinch but prefer to be a mismatch at the 4 at any level due to my ability to pick-and-pop.

You turned 18 earlier this month: what did you do for the big day? We played laser tag and rode around in some go-carts that went 50 MPH!

You have received offers from several great schools including Florida State but are also considering options including Grambling, the G League, or playing pro overseas: when do you plan to make a final decision? I am thinking of announcing in April. I like Georgia/Florida State as well as some overseas options: I am tossing and turning every night!

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News, Notes, and Highlighted Games: Wednesday, Feb 24th

Posted on February 24, 2021 by David Griggs

NEWS AND NOTES

-For Chad Sherwood’s UTR Game of the Day – CLICK HERE

-It was a pretty crazy night with two top ten teams losing to opponents who are nowhere near the bubble, and Baylor trailing for most of the game against Iowa State before finally getting control of it in the final minute of play.

-Illinois wasn’t as lucky.  Just the other night we were talking about how well they were playing and discussing how we thought they could end up on the #1 line.  Then they go out and pretty much get handled by a Michigan State team that almost no one thinks is in the field right now.  It wasn’t a backbreaking loss by any means, and there is a good chance they still end up on the #2 line, but it was a bit of a surprise.  Sparty may have opened a path for themselves to make the field, but they’ve still got a ton of work to do between now and the end.

-Oklahoma had an even more inexplicable loss.  They fell 62-57 to a Kansas State team that hasn’t looked any good at all at any point this season.  Like Illinois, Oklahoma was really playing well.  Again, it’s much more of a surprise than a setback.  The Sooners will still likely end up as a protected seed and will have multiple chances to make up for it.

-Virginia Tech was another ranked team that went down in a bit of a surprising result.  Georgia Tech just walked all over the Hokies last night 69-53.  Georgia Tech has looked really good at times, and they still may have a path to the NCAA Tournament, but they will really need to finish strong and play well in the conference tournament in order to get there.

-Texas picked up a big win over Kansas in what was probably the game of the night.  IT was close all throughout and it actually went into overtime.  Kansas had gone through a slump back in January, but they had totally pulled out of it and were playing really well heading into this one.  Texas was coming off a close loss to a very good West Virginia in a game that was equally as exciting.  They ended up on the right side of it last night.  Both teams will likely end up as protected seeds.

-Ole Miss bounced back from their loss to Mississippi State to pick up another big win last night, and take another big step toward making the NCAA Tournament.  They went on the road and knocked off Missouri (who has hit a bit of a tailspin themselves) 60-53.

-LSU, who had been playing really well and appeared to be making a case that they were a solid tournament team, did not play really well yesterday.  They fell to a Georgia team that nearly everyone was expecting them to beat 91-78

-Richmond and VCU, two bubble teams in the Atlantic Ten, picked up wins yesterday as well.

 

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-CLEMSON AT WAKE FOREST (ACC).  Clemson is in really good shape right now, since they only have one true road win on the season a win today could help improve their resume even though it doesn’t seem like it would be that big of a win on paper.  Doubling their total number of road wins is at least something.

-SAINT BONAVENTURE AT DAVIDSON (Atlantic Ten).  Every remaining game will feel like a big game for the Bonnies because they may have a smaller margin for error when it comes to proving themselves because they played in fewer games.

-NC STATE AT VIRGINIA (ACC).  Virginia has lost two straight and needs this one more as a bounce back win than they do anything else.  So long as they don’t go into a complete tailspin they should end up as a protected seed.

-MARQUETTE AT NORTH CAROLINA (ACC).  North Carolina is coming off a blowout win against Louisville and is in a stretch where they’re playing better now than they have all season.  This is another winnable home game for them.

-SETON HALL AT BUTLER (Big East).  Seton Hall continues to hover around our bubble, and around a lot of other people’s bubbles as well.  They need to hold serve in games like this in order to stay on the right side of it.

-INDIANA AT RUTGERS (Big Ten).  It’s getting close to panic time for Indiana.  They’ve got four tough games remaining in the regular season and they probably need to win at least two of them to feel completely safe.  Rutgers is in better shape, but they could still use a few wins themselves, so both teams have quite a bit to play for tonight.

-FLORIDA STATE AT MIAMI FL (ACC).  Florida State seems to be playing as well as anyone in the ACC, and this game should be a layup win for them, but it is a road game and it is against a rival, so they better not completely overlook them.

-ALABAMA AT ARKANSAS (SEC).  This should be the game of the night.  Both teams are in a stretch where they are playing great basketball.  Alabama has already established themselves as a top ten team, and while Arkansas didn’t really get rolling until the last week or two, they can show that they are capable of beating highly ranked teams tonight,w which would give their resume a huge boost.

-DEPAUL AT CREIGHTON (Big East).  If Creighton can finish strong they’ll have a strong case for a protected seed.  They are pretty much a lock for the NCAA Tournament no matter what happens, but they could certainly slide down the seedlist if they go into a tailspin.

-TENNESSEE AT VANDERBILT (SEC).  Tennessee is slumping.  They’re in no danger of missing the field, but they’ve lost two of their last three and just haven’t looked like a solid protected seed ont he court for a while now.  Perhaps a road win against a rival will get their motor started again.

-XAVIER AT PROVIDENCE (Big East).  Xavier is right on the bubble, so every game feels like a big game.  Their record is solid, but they  could still use a little more meet on their profile.  Another road win would certainly help.

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