Once again, we’re in a situation where this matters.
Five years ago today, the world stopped. It was an utterly incomprehensible turn of events. The Big East tournament stopped mid-game, Travis Steele was denied his first bid to the NCAA tournament, and soon sports functionally stopped. Somehow, that was only five years ago. It feels like a lifetime.
Today, major conference tournaments well and truly get going. Some really bad major conference teams played yesterday, but nothing they did really mattered. Pitt could have played themselves into having a chance, but they lost because they played poorly and got called for a foul that wasn’t. I’m sure the refs will apologize. Today, things can happen. Here’s the games to watch. Cheer against the team in bold. Favorite listed first.
Iowa State v. Cincinnati (12:30, ESPN)
UC doesn’t have a good argument right now. They need to put together a lot of wins and get some quality. Their win over Oklahoma State yesterday didn’t move the needle. Beating Iowa State, a projected three seed, would. Best that doesn’t happen.
Arkansas v. South Carolina (1:00, SECN)
Arkansas should be in. They have a solid resume and have really only lost to good teams. South Carolina could change that, because they aren’t a very good team. Let’s go, (pause to look it up) Lamont Paris’ boys!
North Carolina v. Notre Dame (2:30, ESPN)
This is the big one. UNC is the first team out per the Bracket Matrix. I’ve said repeatedly on our podcast that I’m afraid of a situation in which the committee is trying to pick between Xavier and one of the biggest brands in the game. This was a one point game in the regular season in favor of the Tar Heels. They’re playing to save their season now.
West Virginia v. Colorado (3:00, ESPN+)
ESPN+ is generally a pretty garbage product, but it comes in handy in March. West Virginia should be in, they are 10-12 in the top two quads, but per NET they are right on the cut line. This is a Q2 game, so it wouldn’t necessarily be fatal, but let’s take what we can get.
Vanderbilt v. Texas (3:30, SECN)
Texas is 8-14 in the top two quads. They are clinging to the bubble and have a huge Q1 opportunity here with a Vanderbilt team that, odd as this is to type, is probably in comfortably. They can’t both lose, so cheer for the Commodores.
Ohio State v. Iowa (6:00, Peacock)
You should always cheer for OSU to lose in everything. Today is no exception. Dropping this one should probably eliminate them.
Baylor v. Kansas State (7:00, ESPN+)
Baylor is probably in. If they win this one they are. This is probably tilting at windmills, but might as well pull for the Bears to lose and the committee to do something weird.
Villanova v. Seton Hall (9:00, Peacock)
Villanova needs a lot to go right to make the tournament, but it’s technically possible. They’d likely have to make the final of the Big East Tournament, but if they do that they’ll have added three wins and two Q1s. Shaheen Holloway could do us a solid here by giving Nova their fourth horrible loss of the season.
Georgia v. Oklahoma (9:30, SECN)
It’s double bubble! Both should be in. Please ignore the idiots whining about Oklahoma’s 6-12 conference record. That doesn’t matter at all. Their NET strength of schedule is 15th in the nation. KenPom has them 16th. All of that comes from conference play. They are 10-11 in the top two quads but have a Q3 loss. Georgia is more comfortable and could probably more easily survive the loss. Cheer for the Bulldogs, but either could end up helping.