Azubuike24
Saturday's are always the best days for basketball! This is an especially big day with a TON of key conference battles and games between bubble teams. I'll stick to the games where we most likely won't have threads for already.
Xavier at Dayton - Bigger game for the Flyers, especially after losing at X and it being at home, but it's big for both teams and strengthening their resume for an at-large bid. Dayton, again, needs it slightly more, but it's a quality win for either.
(19) Temple at Richmond - Another monster A-10 game, and with a win, Richmond could move into a losers column tie for first in the league. Temple is likely an NCAA team whether they get the automatic bid, but I like Richmond to win at home. A-10 fans should likely root for Richmond and Dayton over X to win as it helps the conference as a whole.
Wake Forest at Virginia - Another chance for Virginia to continue their surprise, and they get the Deacs at JPJC. Both teams can still win the ACC, as UVA is only half a game out of first, and Wake is only a game out. They both need Duke to drop a few games most likely, but it's a big ACC game regardless.
Clemson at Virginia Tech - VT has been pretty hot of late winning at UVA and beating UNC this week, while Clemson has lost 3 of 4. Both teams are tough at home, and fortunately for VT, the game is in Blacksburg. It's unlikely either can still win the ACC, but again, we have another game with 2 bubble teams looking to get a quality win and separate themselves.
Mississippi State at Florida - Right now, these 2 teams are right on the edge of being in the tourney, and are likely the 5th and 6th teams from the SEC. The winner has a huge leg up, especially if it's Mississippi State because they have an easier remaining schedule in the weaker SEC West. Florida still has to play Vanderbilt, Tennessee, at Kentucky and Mississippi. They still have to travel to Georgia and South Carolina as well. Florida has been hot while MSU has lost 2 straight conference road games.
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech - OSU has fallen to 6th in the Big 12 with Texas A&M making a charge, and Texas Tech is on life support. It's a bigger game for Tech, but neither can afford to lose as the league is likely looking at 6 bids. I actually like Tech to win this game as OSU really showed their true colors getting smoked at home against Texas.
(20) Baylor at Texas A&M - Much bigger game for the Aggies who aren't NCAA locks yet by any means, but they have been hot and have beaten Missouri and Texas Tech recently, the other bubble teams from the Big 12. Baylor likely isn't on the bubble, but they are first among the five 2nd tier teams from the league, and win for the Aggies would put them in even better shape.
California at UCLA - This one is actually for first place in the Pac-10. Shocking. Not sure what's more surprising, that Cal stinks this bad or that UCLA is actually in the hunt. The Bruins have been very hot as late, just as Arizona has, 2 teams that many gave up on after pre-conference play ended. Cal is fighting for their lives as an at-large team, and they are losing the battle as of now IMO.
Arizona State at Washington - Two teams with at-large hopes and more importantly, Pac-10 title hopes. Washington has been very disappointing, but they are pretty much lights out at home. ASU has struggled a bit since starting off in first place. Still, a big game in the Pac-10, especially for the Huskies.
(17) Gonzaga at Memphis - The Tigers struggled in a bad loss to SMU, but rebounded and defeated UAB, and now have a chance at another quality win over Gonzaga at FedEx Forum. Conference USA is going to be really tough to win this year, so Memphis can use as many quality wins as possible along the way.
Tulsa at UTEP - Battle for first in C-USA as both teams are 7-1 in the league. Definte at-large hopes for each, but again, the winner here will have the upper edge on winning the regular season title. Most likely, with the conference strength this year, that team is getting in no matter what. UTEP has been on fire late winning 6 straight since losing their opener at Houston.
George Mason at Drexel - GMU, Northeastern and Old Dominion all lost games recently, while VCU and Drexel have climbed back into contention for the Colonial. If Drexel has any chance, they must beat the Patriots in this game. More teams fighting for that extra bid from the CAA.
Old Dominion at Virginia Commonwealth - Similar to the GMU/Drexel game, VCU must win at home and knock ODU to the ranks of the 3-loss teams in order to maintain a chance to win the Colonial. Old Dominion has the best resume for an at-large bid, so they could use this win in a big way as well.
(12) BYU at UNLV - The Cougars had their long streak snapped in New Mexico last week, and face their toughest test remaining on the year when they travel to Vegas to take on the Rebels. UNLV is without Derrick Jasper, a key player, but will still be looking to add a great win to their resume.
San Diego State at New Mexico - Another battle of the top 4 teams in the Mountain West. New Mexico needs help from UNLV, although they still have to travel to UNLV and BYU. They must beat a tough SDSU team at home if they want to stay in the conference title race. For SDSU, this game is huge. They have a good RPI, played a tough schedule and could still get an at-large bid. A win here would be a very good one. They already beat New Mexico at home.
Should be a great day of games heading into an absolutely unreal week of games. Huge games in the A-10 and CAA.
Well that was awesome today.