WHEW! Exhale! Now, wash, rinse, repeat!
What a day of basketball on Thursday! Hope you slept well. We get to do it again today, albeit with fewer games.
Who were Thursday’s winners and losers and who has important Bubble Watch Games today? Of course, we have your back. All you need to know is right here.
THURSDAY’S BUBBLE WATCH WINNERS
Maryland (15-12, 10-11; NCAA NET: 34): Beat Michigan State 68-67
Big 10 Quarterfinal - Friday - Michigan - 11:30 am - BTN
The Terps all but sealed their bid with their 68-57 win over Michigan State. They get another resume-enhancing, seed-improving opportunity against Michigan.
Seton Hall (14-12, 10-9; NCAA NET: 55): Beat St. John’s 77-69 (OT)
Big East Semifinal - Friday - Georgetown - 6:00 pm - FS1
The Pirates did their best John Travolta ‘Staying Alive’ impersonation in their virtual elimination game against St. John’s. They now get Georgetown, albeit in Patrick Ewing’s home away from home in Madison Square Garden, instead of top-seed Villanova. This also falls in the must-win category since the Pirates are still among The First Four Teams Out according to Joe Lunardi’s latest ESPN Bracketology.
Utah State (18-7, 15-4; NCAA NET: 41): Beat UNLV 74-53
Mountain West Semifinal - Friday - Colorado State - 12:00 am (aka Midnight EST) - CBSN
The FIRST TEAM OUT according to ESPN Joe Lunari’s Thursday morning Bracketology helped themselves with its quarterfinal win. The win elevated them to The LAST TEAM IN (one very important rung on the Bubble Watch ladder). Now, they match up with fellow Bubble Watch member Colorado State (two spots above them as a Last Four In member) in a HUGE semifinal game. I wouldn’t argue with you if you labeled this a PLAY-IN game.
Colorado State (17-5, 15-4; NCAA NET: 45): Beat Fresno State 72-62
Mountain West Semifinal - Friday - Utah State - 12:00 am (aka Midnight EST) - CBSN
See Above. The only downside to this game is that it starts at Midnight EST. Poor East Coast sports fans.
Ole Miss (16-10, 11-8; NCAA NET: 52): Beat South Carolina 76-59
SEC Semifinal - Friday - LSU - 9:00 pm - SECN
The Rebels were the first team listed in The NEXT FOUR OUT category, so their win against South Carolina keeps them alive. LSU certainly provides a resume-enhancing opportunity. It’s a must-win game for Ole Miss.
WAITING IN THE CLUBHOUSE:
These teams have lost in their conference tournament ending their regular season. Their fate now lies in the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee's hands. Some are safer than others to hear their names called Selection Sunday.
Michigan State (15-12, 9-12; NCAA NET: 70): Lost to Maryland Thursday
Syracuse (16-9, 10-8; NCAA NET: 39): Lost to Virginia Thursday
Xavier (13-8, 6-8; NCAA NET: 57): Lost to Butler Wednesday
St. John’s (16-11, 10-10; NCAA NET: 68): Lost to Seton Hall Thursday
Boise State (17-8, 14-7; NCAA NET: 51): Lost to Nevada Thursday
Drake (23-4, 15-3; NCAA NET: 44)
Saint Louis (14-6, 6-4; NCAA NET: 45)
FRIDAY’S BUBBLE WATCH GAMES OF IMPORTANCE
Wichita State (13-4, 11-2; NCAA NET: 62)
AAC Quarterfinal - Friday - Temple/USF Winner - Noon - ESPNU
SMU (11-4, 7-4; NCAA NET: 56)
AAC Quarterfinal - Friday - Cincinnati - 3 pm - ESPNU
Seton Hall (14-12, 10-9; NCAA NET: 55)
Big East Semifinal - Friday - Georgetown - 6:00 pm - FS1
Ole Miss (16-10, 11-8; NCAA NET: 52)
SEC Semifinal - Friday - LSU - 9:00 pm - SECN
Memphis (15-7, 11-4; NCAA NET: 53)
AAC Quarterfinal - Friday - East Carolina/UCF Winner - 10 pm - ESPNU
Colorado State (17-5, 15-4; NCAA NET: 45) vs Utah State (18-7, 15-4; NCAA NET: 41)
Mountain West Semifinal - Friday - 12:00 am (aka Midnight EST) - CBSN
POTENTIAL BID STEALERS:
Finally, these teams need to win their conference tournament to hear their name called on Selection Sunday. If they happen to do that, the Bubble Watch teams noted above will NOT be happy as they will be stealing a bid from someone. The teams we have listed have reached the quarterfinals or semifinals of their tournament and need to win the title to grab the automatic bid.
AAC - South Florida, Cincinnati, Tulane, and UCF
Big East - Georgetown
Mountain West - Nevada
Pac 12 - Oregon State
SEC - Mississippi State
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