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Report User There was one team in particular last night who hurt their chances of hearing their name called on Selection Sunday. Texas Tech lost at home to Nebraska on a last second three-pointer by the Cornhuskers. If you want to be in the NCAA Tournament, you do not lose a game like that, especially on your home floor. The Red Raiders have now lost 4 straight games, 3 of those to teams with RPI's over 80. WIth road games at Oklahoma St., and at Texas A&M looming, Bobby and his Boys could be in serious trouble. While their SOS (11), and quality wins at home vs Kansas and Texas A&M, and winning on the road at K-State certainly help, they could be making NIT reservations if they don't at least get a split in their next two games.
Tonight has some HUGE games on tap for teams hoping to get off the bubble, and for teams looking to solidify their position in the field. First, West Virginia has Pitt at home tonight, and UCLA at home on Saturday. They absolutely have to win one of these games to get back into the field. I currently have them as the last team out but a win in one of these games would get them back in. At 17-4, your first thought would be "how can they not be in?" The Mountaineers have a SOS of 127, and a non-conference RPI of 298, (yes 298!) With only one win against an RPI top 50 team (Villanova), they need to add some quaility wins. While I do think West Virginia will get in the Big Dance, they have a tough schedule ahead of them even after the two big home games this week. They then go to Georgetown, and still have Pitt and Providence left on the road.
Staying in the Big East, Louisville can really help their resume if they can get a win tonight at home vs Georgetown. Like West Virginia, Louisville needs a couple of good wins. They have beaten decent teams in Providence, Syracuse, and Depaul. However, nothing really stands out. Again, they only have 1 win vs an RPI top 50 team and only 3 road wins. With games remaining vs Georgetown, Pitt, and Marquette, they definitely control their own destiny.
In the ACC, Florida St at Clemson is a huge game, especially for the Tigers. After starting the year 17-0, Clemson has lost 5 of their last 6 (including getting homered at Duke, but then again who doesnt?). At this time of the year, home games are must wins for teams who are on, or barely off the bubble. Florida St. has been a rising team so this game is not a must win for them, but it would only solidify their spot in the field. North Carolina at Duke is a big game only because of who the teams are. While both teams will be in the tournament, Duke is starting to see their seed slide. With 5 road games left on the schedule, (yes they do, can you believe it?) including games at Maryland, Boston College, Clemson, and North Carolina, getting a win at home vs their hated rivals would help their chances at a 4-seed or better.
Michigan St. goes to Purdue in an important Big Ten game. WIth both teams at 4-5 in the conference, this could go down as a turning point game for both teams. Purdue is horrible on the road (just snapped a 29 game road losing streak!) so this home game, as well as Indiana at home next week are must-wins. Michigan St. is seeing their seed drop...fast. This is a game that could get them back on track.
Other games tonight to keep your eye on which have Bracket implications are Bradley at Southern Illinois, Kansas St. at Kansas, and Florida at Georgia. Bradley and Georgia are both on my bubble so getting big-time wins tonight (which are both unlikely) would be huge.
**To view my latest NCAA Tournament-Bracket Projection, please read the rest of my blog**