Both Duke and UK are still fighting for their lives on their own courts at the moment, but the Johnnies have built up a double-digit lead over the Irish. It's too soon to call however, so let me hit some of the higher points in action to follow today:
Villanova vs. Georgetown = The Philly 'Cats have shown next to nothing all year, and it's pretty much a lost season for Jay Wright. Still, they could salvage some pride if they could beat the Hoyas down in DC. I don't give them much of a chance, but the young Hoyas have had a few bad games, so you never know.
UCLA vs. Arizona = The predicted turnaround for the Bruins never seemed to materialize, though they have played better in the 2nd half of this season. But this is about 'Zona's post-season hopes. At 20-9 and 11-3, in 3rd for the Pac-12 behind Cal and Wash, an old fogey like me would think they are safely in the at-large picture. However, that league gets even less respect than my ACC does these days, so who knows? What I do know is that a home loss to UCLA won't help them much, so the 'Cats best win in Tucson today.
N. C. State vs. Clemson = As above, I would think that, at 18-10 and 7-6, the 'Pack would be squarly in line for an at-large, despite their lack of any marquee wins. But that ain't the case. A win in Littlejohn may not get them over the bubble, but a loss may put them behind it. This one's huge for Jerry's kids.
Florida vs. Georgia = OK, the Gators have stunk up the place from time to time. OK, the Bulldogs have beaten Notre Dame and Miss. State this year. Regardless, I can't see this on in Athens being another shocking loss to the Gators.
North Carolina vs. Virginia = But this one could be a nail-biter. The Heels need it to stay in a tie with Duke (assuming they outlast the Hokies, which I expect) for 1st place, and for their hopes to remain one of those teams juuuuust outside a #1-seed who hopes to maybe steal it late. The Cavs have no such ambitions, but would like to top off their outstanding season with a huge victory in front of their home crowd. As much as I hate to say it, this could go either way . . . unless my Heels finally put all their pieces together.
Missouri vs. Kansas = Not only is this one huge for both teams in conference play, it is huge in the national picture. Here are two other teams eyeing a #1-seed, and the loser of this one may lose their chance at it. I figure the Jayhawks can defend homecourt in Allen Fieldhouse, but you never know.
Memphis vs. Marshall = Though without the potential national implications of the games immediately above, these are two good teams with post-season hopes themselves. It ought to be a lot of fun.
Belmont vs. Mercer = As should this one.
Rutgers vs. Seton Hall = The Pirates seem to think they are safely OFF the bubble, but their 19-9 and 8-8 mark doesn't ice it in my book, even with the few good wins they've posted. Just as I feel the ACC and Pac-12 get too little respect these days, I feel the Big Mouth gets much too much. For over a decade now we've seen them get twice as many bids as other big conferences, and we've also seen the vast majority of those at-large picks crash and burn before the NCAAs were half-done, and often falling to teams whose conferences were dissed by the Selection Committee. But enough from my soapbox. For the Hall, they can't afford to stumble too often down the stretch, regardless of what they think. Considering how in-state rivals fight each other, here
one they should not be looking past.
George Mason vs. VCU = These two are tied for 2nd in the CAC at 14-3, one back of Drexel at 15-2. Those Dragons travel to ODU, who maybe can beat them, which would put the winner of this one into a tie for the league. And with the Big Mouth getting twenty or so at-large, it's questionable how many will be left for guys in the Colonial. And who cares that BOTH these teams HAVE made Final Fours, which is something a ton of those over-hyped Big Mouth teams managed to do! Ohhh, I'm back on that soapbox again, ain't I. Well, suffice it to say that this is a big game in a smaller conference.
Purdue vs Michigan = And so's this.
The Wolverines have likely done enough to earn a Dance, but the Boilermakers are decidedly bubbly still. A win here may push them over that hump, and I can see them doing it too. As I've said before, I can't see how the Logans can keep winning, since they CANNOT SCORE THE BALL.
Mississippi State vs. Alabama = And I see these two as being bubble-boys too. Respectively, they are 19-9, 6-7 and 18-9, 7-6. Tell me how that's any more or less impressive than NCSU's record noted above, will ya? This game could go either way, and could make and break both teams.
Temple vs. St. Joseph's = The Owls may be safe out of the A-10, but the Hawks sure could use a big win over them. Their 18-11 and 8-6 record won't get them anything but a pat on the back for having a much better season than was last year's disaster. Plucking the Owls, however, will at least get people's attention.
Penn vs. Harvard = With the Quakers at 8-2 and the Crimson 10-1, this could decided the Ivy's sole bid today. OK, so maybe either one would be a "one-and-done" anyway, but that won't detract from the honor, the fun, and the money they so badly need . . . especially Haa'vaad, with their tiny endowment and their huge athletic scholarship budget.
Washington vs. Washington State = I don't expect the Huskies to blow their share of the Pac-12 here. At least, they'd better hope not. Everyone seems to feel bids will be few and far between out there, and a few late stumbles may cost dearly.
Nebraska vs. Michigan State = Nor would I expect the 'Huskers to visit the Spartans and pull off the upset. MSU is another of those teams thinking maybe they can swipe a #1-seed from mebbe a Mizzou or Kansas, so you'd figure Izzo would not let them fall asleep.
Murray State vs. Tennessee Tech = This could be a tough matchup for Joe's Racers, though I'm not sure if the game itself will mean anything. The Racers can win it big, yet STILL not receive a possible at-large, whether they've earned it or not. And they can LOSE it big, and lose a few spots in the rankings, yet not lose anything else that they maybe don't even have to begin with. Yeah, that's kind of confusing, but I figure Joe understands what I mean.
No matter. The game itself could be a good one.
Syracuse vs. U. Conn = For different reasons, this game may mean nothing to the Orange either. They could lose this game, and maybe one more in the Big East tourney, and likely still retain a #1-seed. But for the Huskies, they could salvage a lot of pride from a season that suddenly went to $#!+ on them with a victory here. And despite my lack of faith in U Conn's team, I'll even give them half-a-shot at it.
Colorado State vs. San Diego State = With all due respect to Larry's Aztecs, an old fart like me can't help but wonder how a team tied for 2nd in the Mountain West with a 7-4 conference record can still be ranked amongst the Top 25 in the nation. Oh well, it really doesn't matter, as it's only bragging rights anyway. As for the game, with their opponent having a pretty decent team, and with the struggles SDSU has had lately, I could see another shocking home loss here. I'm not predicting one, but I can see it happening.
St. Mary's vs. San Francisco = This is the last game of the regular season for the Gaels and Dons, with those Gaels in 1st place in the WCC at 13-2, just ahead of Gonzaga's 12-3. Guess I don't need point out that, can St. Mary's win on the road tonight, it will not matter what those Bulldogs do. I've said before I like the Gaels, yet I'm not going to give them this one. They'll have to earn it, as those Dons can be awfully tough themselves.
Here's some early finals for you:
Duke 70 - Virginia Tech 65 (OT) = Well, Joe didn't exactly call it, but he came damned close. As much trouble as I've had figuring out my Tar Heels this year, I've had even more trying to figure out these Blue Devils. Just look at their season, why don't you? A call or two here and there, a bucket or a miss now and then, and they are fighting to stay above .500! OK, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but you know what I mean.
Kentucky 83 - Vanderbilt 74 = Just too much Cat for the Comms in the end, as it's been for so many others so far this year.
St. John's 61 - Notre Dame 58 = The Irish just could not ever seem to get the shot or the stop it needed, and the Red Storm surprises me, and maybe even themselves, by winning a big one in the Garden. It hurts ND a bit, yet won't help the Johnnies with anything beyond pride.
Lunchtime. Back later, brothers.