Tuesday’s slate absolutely lived up to the hype!
As I’ve mentioned, I’m trying to keep these as high level and tournament focused as possible, so with that the mid-major games will likely fall off. However, there are good hoops everywhere and you’re doing yourself a disservice if you’re not watching those as well.
Undefeated teams have a rough night:
- Michigan struggles heavily with Penn State, before taking a 74-72 win after an ugly final possession
- Miami (OH) shoots poorly from deep, yet wins by 9 at home over Western Michigan.
Duke uses an extremely strong second half to take down Louisville (without Mikel Brown). 3 Blue Devils with 20+ (Boozer 27, Evans 23, and Foster 20). Foster really helped carry the team down the stretch and Louisville couldn’t stop his penetration.
Florida uses a dominant second half to pull away from Georgia in a weird performance from the Gators. Fland/Lee combine for just 14 points on 4-19 shooting. However, Condon and Haugh combine for 42/20 to carry the gators!
Cincinnati blows another lead within the last 5 minutes of the game, losing in Morgantown by 2. The Mountaineers are still alive in the NCAAT picture.
South Carolina uses a dominant first half to pull away from LSU and the second half they did just enough to get the win! Brutal for LSU who was looking like a tournament team until tonight.
St. John’s gets a big road win over Butler in Indy. 5 Johnnies in double figures, led by Zuby and Hopkins (18 and 17 respectively). Dillon Mitchell – 7 assists. Could he help alleviate the concerns at the pg spot?!
Minnesota upsets Iowa at home. As I discussed in yesterday’s article, Minnesota is solid! Their metrics are still rough, but they are suddenly looking like a tournament level team!
Syracuse takes care of Georgia Tech, winning by 10! Q2 win for now, but still a solid road win! Orange are outside looking in still.
Oklahoma State beats UCF by 11 at home! Q2 win for the Cowboys and a Q2 loss for UCF. Fallah with 24 to lead 4 Cowboys in double figures. OKST is a 10/11 seed right now.
Houston beats Texas Tech at home. The Cougs really needed this one. UH stays a 3 for now, while Tech remains on the 4 line.
Tennessee dominates Texas in Knoxville. The Vols are in that 5/6 jumble, while the Longhorns are currently out.
Kansas comes all the way back to beat TCU in OT at the Phog. TCU with a monumental missed opportunity! KU remains in the 4/5 area.
Wisconsin beats UCLA in Madison. The Badgers are right on the edge of the tournament, while UCLA is dangerously close to falling out.
NC State & Utah State get wins over lower level opponents!
San Diego State picks up a huge road win over Nevada! The Aztecs are in an interesting spot but this Q1 win helps!
Texas A&M beats Auburn after a half court heave goes in but doesn’t count! clip below! A&M is moving towards the bubble but not quite in, while Auburn feels a lot like UNC last year.
Wednesday’s Slate:
Furman @ Chattanooga | 5:00k CBSSN
Huge SoCon matchup here, with Chattanooga looking to stay in the race. A loss here would have them 0-3.
Indiana @ Maryland | 6:30, BTN
IU wil look to avoid dropping into the lull of a trap game in College Park. If The Terps aren’t good this year ad IU should roll.
Xavier @ Marquette | 7:00, FS1
No real tournament implications, but absolutely an important matchup for both teams. I’d expect this to be a good one.
Uconn @ Providence | 7:00, Peacock
UConn should roll here, but the AMP can be a magical place at times. Can Providence knock off the Huskies? UConn favored by 10.5
Belmont @ Northern Iowa | 7:00, ESPN+
This is one of the best and biggest games of the night. Belmont is 3-2 in the MVC while UNI is 4-0. A UNI win here would really hurt Belmont’s chances at a regular season title. UNI favored by 2.5 currently.
Saint Louis @ VCU | 7:00, CBSSN
This is the best mid-major game of the night! Massive consequences in the A-10 and tournament pictures. Q1 opportunity for tournament hopeful SLU. VCU favored by 2.
Stanford @ Virginia Tech | 7:00, ACCN
Two bubble teams. Massive implications, and a Q1 opportunity for Stanford. Q2 for VT, who is favored by 5. Don’t sleep on the Cardinal!
Missouri @ Kentucky | 7:00, ESPN2
Suddenly, this matchup has a ton riding on it. Mizzou looks solid, while UK is struggling. Someone’s leaving Lexington with a key result!
Oklahoma @ Mississippi State | 7:00, SECN
Oklahoma has to win this. Yes, MSST is better, but they’re not a tournament level team right now and this would be a rough loss.
Purdue Fort Wayne @ Youngstown State | 7:17, ESPN+
Both teams are struggling in Horizon league play. This one will be intense and both teams should be desperate.
FAU @ UAB | 7:30, ESPN+
American action with big implications? Yes please! UAB is pushing towards the top of the conference but FAU is also solid, this is big!
Creighton @ Villanova | 7:30, Peacock
If Creighton really wants a chance at a tournament birth, they need Q1 road wins. Insert Villanova, a projected 5 seed into that conversation. For Nova? It’s an opportunity to solidify themselves as the 2nd team in the conference. Both teams need this.
Iowa State @ Baylor | 8:00, Peacock
Is Baylor a tournament caliber team? I’m not sure yet. What I am sure of is is Iowa State being damn good. Undefeated record heading on the road into a hostile environment. This one will be electric. ISU favored by 6.
Murray State @ Evansville | 8:00, ESPN+
I expect Murray to roll here, but these kinds of games are perfect little traps in the MVC!
Washington @ Purdue | 8:30, BTN
Washington is going to have to knock off a top team In the B1G. That being said, I don’t think Purdue at Mackey is going to be that team.
Cal @ Virginia | 9:00, ACCN
UVA is favored by 11. However, if Cal is a tournament caliber team they should compete here. I’m extremely curious to see how they handle coming to the east coast and playin tournament caliber teams.
Arizona State @ BYU | 9:00, Peacock
This is going to be a tough one to win for the Sun Devils. That being said, this is a massive opportunity. I do, however expect BYU to roll here!
Kansas State @ Arizona | 9:00, FS1
A win here and Arizona takes over 1st on the seed list after Michigan struggled last night. Kansas State can get hot tho, and I’m intrigued to see if they can compete here.
Arkansas @ Ole Miss | 9:00, SECN
I’m running out of hope for the Rebs, but I am very high on Arkansas, who is favored by 4 here. Give me the Hogs!
SMU @ Clemson | 9L00, ESPNU
Underrated game of the night. Both teams are flying under the radar, ut both are tournament teams right now. This one will be fascinating and should help tell us a ton about both teams.
Alabama @ Vanderbilt | 9:00, ESPN2
Vanderbilt: Are they legit? Are they undefeated because they haven’t played enough competition yet? We will know after Nate Oats and co. visit Nashville tonight. Alabama is very good, so this will be their first true test. Vandy favored by 7!
Grand Canyon @ Boise | 11:00, FS1
This is a matchup Boise has to win to stay in the tournament. GCU is solid, but not having the best year so far and this is in Boise!
Leave a comment