Ok. We’re hearing this a lot again, so let’s remind everyone:
KENTUCKY’S NIT CHANCES ARE RATHER BAD.
Thank you. Keep an eye on our NIT Bracketology if you’d like to stay informed. This isn’t to say, “Oh, Kentucky doesn’t have a chance at the NIT.” It’s just that we’re at the point where them winning makes them more NIT-likely, and them losing just further hurts the cause. I want a Champions Classic rematch in the NIT more than arguably anyone else on this earth. I’m saying this for all of us. We want Kentucky to win.
Other notes for today:
- Utah State beat San Diego State in Logan, and we don’t know what that does to the MWC race. Could pull Utah State up too high. Might not pull San Diego State low enough. On the bright side, they’re both right there, and Colorado State and Boise State are in the mix too. Respect, mountains. Respect mountains. Hydrate before ascending to high altitudes.
- Arkansas losing to Alabama in Tuscaloosa wasn’t surprising, but losing by 31 might’ve been enough that we’ll see them in our next projected field. Impressive to make a statement like that in a game seemingly not built for statement-making.
- Florida lost at Mississippi State, keeping their NIT dreams alive.
- UNC lost at Florida State, keeping their NIT dreams alive.
- Stanford lost at Colorado, keeping their NIT dreams alive.
- Syracuse got crushed by Pitt, and I don’t think that helps Syracuse’s NIT dreams.
- Miami showed some life, beating Louisville at home, but we aren’t falling for it this time. We know your tricks, Dooey.
- Marquette escaped St. John’s on the road. Nice win to nestle them in a bit.
- BYU beat San Francisco and nobody was helped. Ugh.
- South Carolina looked the part of NIT contender, losing a close one at LSU (but importantly, not winning).
- Mississippi lost to Georgia, and I’m sorry, Mississippi, but losing to Tom Crean does not help you make the NIT when you are Mississippi.
- Arizona State couldn’t get the road win against Oregon State, further sinking the Sun Devils.
- Butler rose up and beat Creighton in overtime. They’re a long way out of it…or at least they were. I don’t actually know how far out of it they are. Will have to check sometime. Might be in it for all I know.
- Toledo lost in overtime at Akron, and while you might think, “Oh no! Is Toledo’s NIT bid in jeopardy because they may now lose the MAC?” fret not. For as the scriptures say: Toledo needed to lose at some point to avoid missing the NIT on the high side.
- Vermont held Maine to 30 points.
- Navy keeps winning, and their automatic bid hopes keep rising. Support the troops!
- Penn State tipped off a bit ago over at Purdue. Risky one for the Nittany Lions, as tempting as it may be.
- Memphis and Tulsa play in a big ol’ bubble game in Oklahoma. Tulsa’s trying to hold serve.
- Western Kentucky and Marshall have their rematch in a bit. Marshall trying to get back on top of the snowball. Big Red is the snowball. He is, in my mind, dressed in a snowball costume and rolling down a steep hill, picking up steam as he approaches a set of bowling pins, each emblazoned with the logo of a Conference USA foe. Get ’em, Big Red!
- Maine and Vermont rematch and if Vermont holds Maine in the 20’s I’m going to be so happy.
