To get to last night's action quickly, as tonight's schedule is pretty packed:
Ohio State 89 - Illinois 70 = As I hinted at above, this is less important a win for the Buckeyes as it is a loss for Illinois. They are in danger of making the NIT.
Tennessee 60 - Vanderbilt 51 = The good new for the Vols, they won a big game on the road, and maybe moved themselves off that danged bubble. The bad news is that the NCAA has announced 12 violations were found against their basketball and football programs, and the $#!+ that may just hit the fans there will likely be a bit more than UT and the SEC imposed on Bruce Pearl already, what with his paycut and his suspension for 8 games.
Texas 76 - Iowa State 53 = No surprise to me here. This was not a big important game, so of course Rick Barnes got the win.
Louisville 55 - Rutgers 37 = Well, it wasn't all that pretty, but the Cardinals didn't have to beat any buzzers to win it. As for the Scarlet Knights, they at least had balanced scoring . . . 19 in the first half, and 18 in the second. Sheesh.
Michigan State 53 - Minnesota 48 = Another ugly game, whose meaning is yet to be decided. Does it put the Spartans back on the bubble, and knock the Gophers off it? Are both still out, are both still in? There are still games to play, and so far it's still a tossup.
South Carolina 79 - Mississippi 73 = I had a feeling the 'Cocks would get up for this one. Consider this: With their record improving to 14-12, the Gamecocks likely have as good a chance of a NIT invite than do the Rebels with their 17-11 one. That's just how bad the SEC West truly is.
Virginia Tech 76 - Wake Forest 62 = The win itself, as with some others above, is more significant for what it means than what it was. The Hokies are assured now of finishing no worse than .500 in the ACC, which should assure them of an at-large. And if they can win one more of their final 3 games - Duke, BC, or Clemson - they will be guaranteed one. But that won't be easy. As for Wake . . . well, it's time for one, a wake that is.
Indiana State 76 - Northern Iowa 74 = I called for a war here, and we got one. All in all, probably the best game all night.
Tonight is pretty busy, so lemme get busy also:
Wisconsin vs. Michigan = The Badgers are riding pretty high, and have to be favored by 4 possessions here, even in Ann Arbor. I'd make it even more than 4, were it not for Wisconsin's "deliberate" style limiting touches. Still, the Wolverines have shown ability, and might give us a good game here. If they want to keep their NCAA hopes alive, they maybe better should pull of the upset to get back to .500 in the Big Ten.
Miami vs. Boston College = At 6-6 in league play, and in 7th place in the ACC, the Eagles are on the backside of any bubble here. The good news for them, they have an easy row to hoe down the stretch. After the 'Canes tonight, they finish up with the two Virginia teams and Wake Forest, so they could win all 4 games. If they want to be Dancing in March, it would be advisable to begin winning tonight.
Virginia vs. Georgia Tech = The Cavs are fairly close to securing an invite to the NIT, while the Jackets will be lucky if they get into one of those "No-Names" which have cropped up in recent years. The Wreck can be tough down in Atlanta, but I'm gonna go with UVA here, since I think they have more to play for.
Duke vs. Temple = This one has the potential to be a really good game down in Cameron. Both teams can shoot a little, and the Owls might even be a bit more athletic than the Blue Devils. Will Dook become the next # 1 to fall on its face? I don't think so, but there is a fair shot at it. Stay tuned.
Notre Dame vs. Providence = And if the Friars team that shows up every 3rd or 4th game shows up in Providence tonight, they could give the Irish game also. As I've stopped believing that they actually CAN show up with any regularity, I wouldn't bet on it however.
Tulsa vs. Marshall = Just how many at-large bids do you think the CUSA deserves? If you think they should get maybe 4 total, then this game is HUGE. These two are tied for 4th in the CUSA race, and their 8-4 records are 'way behind the 3 teams tied at 9-4 above them.
Hey, come to think of it, THIS might be the best game tonight.
St. John's vs. DePaul = The Johnnies need to prove that they are for real by running the Blue Demons off Carnesecca's court and right out into the streets of Jamaica, and right outta Queens. Me, I figure they are still hungry enough to do so, as this is the first taste they've had in a long while. But if they get lazy and rest on the laurels they've yet to earn, they could find themselves fighting for a comeback. For this reason alone, it's worth watching the scoreboard.
Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma = Thesa Aggies are a team I've yet to figure out. They don't impress, but they don't depress either, and they've been lurking at about the same point all season. I would not expect the Sooners to finish on top here, but they should at least keep the Aggies sharp.
Alabama vs. Auburn = Here might be the oddest situation in college hoops this year. The Crimson Tide have the SEC West sewn up in their pocket, and might STILL be on the bubble for an at-large bid to the NCAAs! Hey, I kid you not! Their 18-8 record impresses nobody, and their RPI of 78th, with a 129th SoS rating, would indicate the experts are correct to diss them. Beating Auburn tonight won't help them one damn bit, were they to win by 300 points. Barring a run in the conference tourney, they might need to run the table against Ole Miss, Florida, and Georgia after tonight to get a bid. Think on that a while.
BYU vs. Colorado State = Hey, this could be a pretty good game also, if that Fredette kid does not go absolutely nutz again. The Rams have some good wins this year, and only lost by 2 to the SDSU Aztecs a short while back, so they can hoop a bit. So keep an eye on this one too.
Kentucky vs. Arkansas = On paper, you'd have to go with the Wildcats here, but as we've noted before, they play on hardwood and not paper. Tonight that wood's down in Fayetteville, and we all know how UK has had problems on the road. I'd still give them the edge, but I'd not be shocked if it went down to the last few minutes.
Wichita State vs. Creighton = Two good Missouri Valley teams, in a league that may get just one single ticket. The Shockers think they deserve one (and I won't argue with them), but the Bluejays want their shot at it too. And if you know Bluejays, you know they have a nasty attitude. This should be a lot of fun.
Purdue vs. Indiana = And this one should be over by the half. OK, so it's in Bloomington. So what? The Hoosiers are still a year or three away from being relevant again, and they won't get any closer tonight.
North Carolina vs. N. C. State = The Tar Heels have not played well in their last few games, despite getting wins against Clemson, Wake, and BC. This trip to Raleigh against the Wolfpack is their last shot to correct their game, since they then must end against Maryland, @ FSU, and Dook. That's not to say NCSU can't steal one at home, especially if the Heels fool around like they've done the past two weeks. Here's the thing in a nutshell: The Tar Heels can beat anybody in the nation, when they play. When they don't, they can lose, ugly and often.
Florida State vs. Maryland = The Seminoles have earned at least an at-large, and even have the capability of getting the automatic in the ACC Tourney. All they have to lose tonight is contact with the Heels for 2nd place in the regular season race. The Terps, on the other hand, are teetering on the bubble, and could slide either direction. A win in College Park tonight would not only help my Heels, but would edge the Turtles in the right direction. Much as I hate it, I will pull for Gary Williams this evening.
Georgetown vs. Cincinnati = The Hoyas are another team who can beat anyone, or can fall on their faces against most anyone. The Bearcats are a good bit better than "anyone" status, and could sneak up on G'town down in DC. I don't think they will, but they most certainly could. So this is just one more to keep track of.
Missouri vs. Baylor = And here's another one. The Bears are in dire need of a quality win to get them off the bubble, and one on the road against the Tigers might do so. If they plan to refocus any time this season, tonight would be a great time to start. Me, I'll go with Missou by 2 possessions, but the other way would not shock me, at all.
Kansas State vs. Nebraska = Both of these teams logged recent HUGE victories, so I'd have them on the safe side of any bubbles, especially considering they have some other decent wins also. Now, it's all about seeding. If either has hopes of getting off of a 6-to-9 line, they need to make some more noise down the stretch. Tonight's a perfect time for one or the other to begin.
UNLV vs. New Mexico = Me, I'm not one of those people who are yet willing to put the Mountain West up there with the other Big Boys. Hey, until some team there proves it to me, I'll remain a Doubting Thomas. And don't tell me to count Jerry Tarkanian's group of ringers either, 'cause Homey don't play that way. Still, here's two good team, both of whom still have some aspirations for a bid. It should be some fun out in Albuquerque, with one of them making a right turn.
That's all for now. Enjoy. Screw Drew.