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NEWS, NOTES, AND LINKS

CLICK HERE for our latest Bracket Rundown Video Podcast

-To check out the Survival Board, which we updated last night and what we know to be an invaluable tool for the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee!! – CLICK HERE

-For Chad Sherwood’s UTR Game of the Day, which is an encore of yesterday’s Game of the Day – CLICK HERE

-Michigan and Ohio State both won their games, which sets up a big time top five showdown this Sunday with both teams in position to end up with #1 seeds.

-Wichita State needed a huge win, and they certainly got it.  They held off Houston 68-63 in a game that as close all throughout and that actually came down to the final possession before a flagrant 2 foul resulted in several freethrows pushed the margin to 5.

-Iowa picked up one of their more impressive wins of the year at Wisconsin as they pulled away from the Badgers down the stretch and got a 77-62 win.

-In Under the Radar games, Belmont and Winthrop both had to sweat out their games.  Neither played particularly well, but both held on to win.

-UCLA finally looked impressive again last night after looking rather sluggish for the past several weeks.  They beat Arizona rather comfortably 74-60.

-Oregon got a nice win against Colorado.  The Ducks have been impacted by COVID protocol and haven’t always played up to their ceiling, and their resume really did need some improving.  Last night was a big step in the right direction.

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-SAINT LOUIS AT DAYTON (Atlantic Ten).  SLU is outside the bubble.  SLU needs to finish strong.  It’s a big game on paper for SLU.  But, more importantly, this is the Arch Baron Cup!  It is the greatest rivalry and spectacle on the planet!!!  READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE

-WINTHROP AT HIGH POINT (Big South).  Winthrop has just one loss on the season, and even though they’ve played a weak schedule the committee should still look at them if they win out, but don’t win the Big South Tournament.

-UTAH STATE AT BOISE STATE (Mountain West).  Both teams are battling for spots in the NCAA Tournament.  Boise State appears to be in slightly better shape, but still needs the win to make their resume look a little more solid.  Utah State is straddling the bubble and still has work to do.  Boise State also won the other night when these two squared off.

NEWS AND NOTES

CLICK HERE for our latest Under the Radar Video Podcast

-For Chad Sherwood’s UTR Game of the Day between Vermont and UMBC – CLICK HERE

-Loyola Chicago got a huge scare from Valpo, and it actually looked like Valpo had tied the game and forced overtime at the end of regulation, but a would-be rebound and put pack was waived off and a foul was called on the rebound.  The Ramblers survived 54-52 and should hang on to their national ranking and stay inside the bubble.

-Minnesota remains winless on the road.  They played well against Indiana yesterday and led for part of the game, but Indiana pulled away down the stretch and got a nice 82-72 win for themselves while not allowing Minnesota to pick up a win away from home.

-VCU and Richmond was close throughout before the Rams pulled away in the latter part of the game to pick up a big 68-56 win.  It was a rivalry game between two bubble teams, so this one really helps VCU.

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES

-HOUSTON AT WICHITA STATE (American).  Wichita State is outside the bubble and this is perhaps their last best chance of getting inside of it.  Houston is currently being projected as a #2 seed and is just looking to hold serve as we head toward the NCAA Tournament.

-IOWA AT WISCONSIN (Big Ten).  This is a resume building opportunity for both teams.  It would arguably be Iowa’s biggest win of the year since it’s on the road against a ranked team, and it would be one of Wisky’s bigger wins as well.

-OHIO STATE AT PENN STATE (Big Ten).  Ohio State is looking to lock up a #1 seed and not slip up before their big game against Michigan this weekend.  Penn State is just 7-10 on the year and despite having some big wins they probably need to at least get to above .500 for the committee to give them a serious look.

-JACKSONVILLE STATE AT BELMONT (Ohio Valley).  Belmont will have some merit for an at-large bid if they win out through the regular season, which they are certainly good enough to do.

-BYU AT PACIFIC (West Coast).  BYU is safely inside the bubble and could even get in on the first ballot if they hold serve and avoid losses to anyone other than Gonzaga the rest of the way.

-SAINT MARY’S AT GONZAGA (West Coast).  Gonzaga appears to be cruising to a #1 seed.  They likely won’t be challenged until the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.

-ARIZONA AT UCLA (Pac 12).  UCLA has been struggling lately.  This is a home game against a decent opponent that is also a rival, which makes it a good opportunity for them to turn things back around.

-WINTHROP AT HIGH POINT (Big South).  Winthrop should get a serious look from the selection committee if they win out, but fail to win the conference tournament.

-SAN DIEGO STATE AT FRESNO STATE (Mountain West).  San Diego State is in the rankings and likely inside the bubble, but their resume is still pretty flimsy looking, so they really need to hold serve in games like this.

-STANFORD AT WASHINGTON (Pac 12).  Stanford is continuing to straddle the bubble, which means they need to hold serve against teams like Washington, who is arguably the worst non-UTR team, but is still good enough to compete with teams that completely overlook them.

-COLORADO AT OREGON (Pac 12).  Oregon is right on the bubble and could really use this win.  Colorado is inside the bubble, but has taken some steps back with some questionable losses and could really use this win.  Both teams should be coming into this with a sense of urgency.