Missed grabbing Texas A&M at 70-to-1 by a few minutes this morning because I was doing the NIT Bracketology graphic. Hope that doesn’t come back to bite us.
Will the Lockout End Today?
The buzz is picking up again that we may get an end to the MLB Lockout, but until it happens, it hasn’t happened. We’ll see. If they do end it today, will any games be added back? Also, haven’t looked into this, but will they have to do some evening out of schedules after canceling the first two weeks?
Alright, College Basketball
There aren’t enough obviously huge games to focus on anything but the bubble, so let’s focus on the bubble. The big games there:
What’s Going On Right Now
If you missed it, Indiana just pulled off a massive, massive comeback against Michigan, and it might not be enough to get them into the field, but the definition of “might” is that there’s uncertainty, and we’ve got plenty of that. Elsewhere, Texas A&M’s got the lead late in their battle with Florida in which the winner will keep the dream alive.
This Afternoon
Creighton is probably in the field, but they could stand to beat Marquette in a bit here (2:30 PM EST, FS1), and a blowout could spell trouble, especially if the bubble shrinks. Right now, we have them projected to play in the First Four, too, so plenty at stake for the Jays.
Miami is also probably in the field, but they absolutely cannot lose to Boston College (2:30 PM EST, ESPN2). Even a win might not be enough to lock them in, with Duke currently struggling to put Syracuse away.
Wyoming’s on the road against UNLV (5:30 PM EST, CBSSN), who hosts the Mountain West Tournament. With a win, Wyoming’s probably a lock (Boise State losing could put this in jeopardy, but Boise State will probably win). With a loss, it’s going to be a long three days in Laramie.
Tonight
Notre Dame would be in the same boat as Wyoming with a loss to Virginia Tech (7:00 PM EST, ESPN2), while a win would probably get them safe from a game in Dayton. Virginia Tech’s just trying to stay alive, though their path remains more manageable than most as far out of it as they are.
Oklahoma could shock the Big 12 world against Baylor (7:00 PM EST, ESPN), and if they can do that, they’ll be right back around the cut line. Probably on the right side of it.
Virginia, like Virginia Tech, is just trying to stay alive as they play UNC (9:30 PM EST, ESPN). Like Virginia Tech, though, their path from here is manageable.
Iowa State’s Postseason Begins
We know what we’ll get from Texas Tech. It’ll be rough. It might be ugly. Pressure will be on Iowa State’s guards to handle the ball cleanly and Iowa State’s bigs and slashers to protect the defensive glass. The Cyclones will put their own pressure on Tech, though. Plenty of it. 9:30 PM EST, ESPN2.
***
Viewing schedule:
- 11:30 AM EST: Indiana vs. Michigan, BTN
- 2:30 PM EST: Marquette vs. Creighton, FS1
- 5:30 PM EST: Wyoming @ UNLV, CBSSN
- 7:00 PM EST: Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech, ESPN2
- 9:30 PM EST: Texas Tech vs. Iowa State, ESPN2
- 11:30 PM EST: San Diego State vs. Fresno State, CBSSN
