OK, so here's some big scores from last night:
New Mexico 82 - BYU 64 = Even before the Cougars suspended their # 2 star, I'd have given the Lobos a shot at the win. This huge a one means 2 things. One, BYU has likely lost any chance at a 1-seed, and might just miss out on a 2, depending on how the end of their (and others) season ends. Two, they'd best make an adjustment in how they play quickly, or it won't matter much WHERE they are seeded.
Duke 70 - Clemson 59 = In and of itself it's no big deal, and totally expected. However . . .
North Carolina 72 - Florida State 70 = . . . coupled with this, it's big for the fans. These two remain tied atop the ACC, and will meet in Chapel Hill Saturday night, and winner takes all.
UAB 67 - Southern Miss 66 = Man, does that one lone point mean a lot. The Blazers remain alone on top of the CUSA by 1 game, with 1 game left against . . .
East Carolina 68 - Memphis 57 = . . . The Pirates, who may not have helped themselves much, but did play the spoiler to the Tigers, who are now out of the race for the CUSA regular season. But it's still not over yet, because . . .
UTEP 82 - Marshall 74 = . . . The Miners stayed one game back with what was, considering the quality of the opponent, a pretty easy win. Not only that . . .
Tulsa 67 - Rice 57 = . . . The Golden Hurricane remain just one back too, so this will be decided on the last day. As those 3 do NOT meet head-to-head (UAB, UTEP, Tulsa), this means the Blazers control their own fate. However, if they stumble while the other two win, we'd have to go to tie-breakers in a 3-way CUSA finish.
Iowa State 95 - Colorado 90 = This one shocks me, as the Buffaloes have played well while the Cyclones lost 12 of 13 before winning their last 2. This W does not help them, but it puts a big hole in Colorado's hopes for an at-large.
Kansas 64 - Texas A&M 51 = And this is about what you'd expect in Lawrence, and does little regarding bids, save maybe solidifying the Jayhawks for their anticipated 1-seed.
Temple 73 - U. Mass 67 (OT) = What? It took the Owls an extra 5 to put down the Meh-nuitmen? That is not a good sign, right here before tourney time.
Miami 80 - Maryland 66 = But I don't think either one of these will have to worry about that. Both of these teams pretty much clinched their NIT invites last night.
Michigan State 85 - Iowa 66 = And I am far from convinced that the Spartans have done any better than that themselves, though they have definitely tried their damdest to make a case for an at-large to the NCAAs. Hey, they at least have a shot at that now.
Northwestern 68 - Minnesota 57 = But I don't think they are gonna steal one from the Golden Gophers, as the Gophers have pretty much p!$$ed that away already. Hey, if the Committee gives a bid to a team that's now 6-11 in conference play, they need to put THEMSELVES on probation.
West Virginia 65 - U. Conn 56 = Me, I'm not surprised the Mountaineers won this one at home. Me, I am once again shocked and appalled that a team which is in a 3-way tie for 9th place in their conference with a 9-8 record is still considered to be a Top Twenty team. Well, OK then, give the Big Mouth Conference a dozen bids to the Dance. All that will mean in the end is that they will have more NCAA losses than any other conference.
Tonight conference touney action continues in those already mentioned, and begins in the Northeast and Missouri Valley. Aside from that:
St. John's vs. Seton Hall = The new darlings of college hoops cross the Hudson to beat up on the Pirates in the Rock. After the win they'll go out into the streets of Newark, and get beat up themselves.
Tennessee vs. South Carolina = The Vols visit the Palmetto State, where they could drop another one, no problem. If they do, they'll also drop below .500 in SEC play, and may also drop any shot at an at-large. But hey, somehow it is fitting that Volunteers should be in Invitation tournaments anyway, right?
Wisconsin vs. Indiana = The Hoosiers host the Glaciers, and may even give them a half or so. At this point it matters little to either team. One is safely in the NCAA, one is safely out of all contention, and nothing short of a full-out riot's gonna change any of that.
UCLA vs. Washington = The Bruins will have their hands full up in Seattle as they try to hold onto their share of the Pac-10 lead. This could go either way without surprising me, but I'm pulling for the Beach Boys. Hey, if they win then maybe they will get a little bit of that respect briefly received by . . .
Arizona vs. Oregon State = The Wildcats had their moment in the desert sun, but had their lunch stolen in the LA smog. I'd expect them to retain at least a tie for the Pac-10, as they should easily handle the Beavers down in Tucson. Hey, if that kid from BYU had done the same, instead of handling beavers up in Salt Lake City, maybe he'd be playing tonight!
USC vs. Washington State = Me, I'm not one of those guys who think the Pac-10's all as crappy as some of the experts say. I think they proved that last year, after winning more tourney games than was expected by those experts. Here are two teams that, under most circumstances, would receive at-large bids. There may be one for them to fight over, and there may not. So this could be a huge game.
That's it for now. Enjoy. Screw Drew.