Stu’s Notes: NIT or NOT, Michigan Watch, That Stupid Sabres Goal, and Algeria

We’ve already talked a little NITexas today, but what’s a second helping? We aren’t on a diet (we are on a #SoupStreak, though).

NIT or NOT? Texas

Texas took a home loss last night to a team which didn’t appear in yesterday’s NIT Bracketology, and not because that team is particularly good. Still…the answer is NOT. Kansas State would be in the bracket if we projected it again today. Texas would not be in it. They’ve got a ways to go.

NIT or NOT? UNC

Not getting as much attention is UNC, who took an arguably more noteworthy loss in Coral Gables, dropping one by 28 to the Hurricanes. The answer here is also NOT, but UNC’s closer than Texas, and with them the dreams of a 14-bid ACC start to come alive once more.

Michigan Watch

The Wolverines held serve last night, winning one they needed to win. As we wrote a bit yesterday, Michigan’s got the toughest NIT path of any team in the country. So far, though, they’re walking it perfectly.

Game of the NITe

Mississippi State and Florida are both on the bubble, with Florida currently projecting as a 1-seed and Mississippi State needing a few losses. With tonight’s clash in Gainesville, this is a must-lose for the Bulldogs. Less pressure on the Gators, but they could use a loss as well. In other words, if it looks like these teams are trying to lose, well, actually that’s just how they play basketball. They probably don’t care about the NIT. Yet.

The Sens Got Sens’d

Look at this and tell me it isn’t a Sensing:

Yes, the Senators lost on that goal. The other one was an empty-netter. At least Brady Tkachuk kicked someone’s ass, though.

Oh Crap, Algeria’s Good?

The Ivory Coast (and our guy Maxwel Cornet) plays Algeria tomorrow in the group stage finale, and evidently Algeria’s the reigning AFCON champion? I didn’t realize they were good. Had a vague idea, but then when I saw them at the bottom of Group E, well…I kind of assumed.

Anyway, looks like the Ivorians either need to win or need an Equatorial Guinea/Sierra Leone draw (or a draw of their own plus a Sierra Leone win?) if they’re going to win the group. They’re locked into the top three, and if Guinea-Bissau doesn’t pull off a win here against Nigeria (scoreless with halftime approaching) they’ve got enough points to advance regardless (and they still could even with a loss tomorrow and a Guinea-Bissau win, but then we’re potentially looking at the Tunisia/Gambia result with a lot of interest), so basically: the Ivory Coast will likely reach the knockout stage, but winning would go a long way towards helping them grab the best opponent possible in the Round of 16. Game’s at 10:00 AM tomorrow Texas Time, I’m writing about it now because I probably won’t get these published in time for it tomorrow, I’m assuming it’s on fuboTV again.

***

In addition to the Game of the NITe (5:30 PM Texas Time, SEC Network), we’ll have eyes on Kentucky/Texas A&M (7:30 PM Texas Time, SEC Network) as the Aggies try to avoid what would be a damaging victory. No points for winning in the SEC tonight, guys. Only losing gets you places (in these two games—there are other games where winning’s ok). Big opportunity for Shaka Smart in the Big East at 7:00 PM Texas Time on CBSSN, but they play at Villanova and we have plans (the SEC). Sorry, old friend. If you win, I’ll still celebrate.

NIT fan. Joe Kelly expert. Milk drinker. Can be found on Twitter (@nit_stu) and Instagram (@nitstu32).
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