This is the last weekend of college basketball's regular season and there are some huge games today and tomorrow that could be decisive in deciding who does and doesn't make the NCAA Tournament. Some teams know that a loss today could end their hopes of receiving an at-large bid into this year's tournament. Some teams will look to get big wins to improve their seeding in the tournament as Selection Suday is only 8 days away.
6 North Carolina at 3 Duke
College basketball's most fameous rivalry will take center stage tonight as the Cameron Crazies will be going crazy as Duke looks to seal up a number one seed. North Carolina is looking for revenge after Austin Rivers beat the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill on a buzzer-beater in the first game of this rivalry this season. North Carolina also knows that a win could put them into position to receive a number one seed in the tournament. This game should be a high-scoring game as both teams have excellent offenses that will put point totals in the 70 to 90 range. The key for North Carolina is containing the outside shooting game of Duke as the Plumlee brothers are not better than the North Carolina duo of Tyler Zeller and John Henson. The key for Duke tonight is to shut down North Carolina PG Kendall Marshall who has been the key to the electric Tar Heel offense once again this season and probably will be an All-American. Duke definitely has a great home court advantage at Cameron Indoor but North Carolina is the better team as they will get some revenge tonight as Zeller and Henson will dominate the inside while Marshall will be able to work his magic in a close shootout. This could set the mood for a round three in the ACC Tournament.
18 Louisville at 2 Syracuse
Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals have a real challenge today as they will look to get some revenge on Syracuse after the Orange went to Louisville and beat the Cardinals. Syracuse is arguably the best team in the country as they are a favorite to win the national title in New Orleans this year. Syracuse does not just rely on one or two players to be really good as they have 5 or 6 players that can be relied on which is very impressive. Louisville has been a very good defensive team this year as that has allowed the Cardinals to be as good as they are. The Cardinals offense has struggled recently as they have lost two of their last three games. Louisville will need to step up their offensive game if they want to have any shot of pulling off the upset. For Syracuse, they need to continue to do what they have done all season which is not have only a couple of players be playing well. Syracuse is just too talented of a team as the Orange will cruise past the Cardinals with Kris Joseph making some big shots.
12 Georgetown at 7 Marquette
Georgetown and Marquette have both exceeded expectations this year as neither team was seen as a top 15 team. Both teams will probably be top 3 seeds in the tournament as they have put together impressive seasons in the tough Big East. Georgetown has been led this season by senior guard Jason Clark who is the leading scorer for a Georgetown team that is not known for its offense. Georgetown has one of the best defenses in the country as they are rarely allowing more than 70 points which is impressive. Buzz Williams has put himself in the running for coach of the year this season as his Golden Eagles could be a two seed in the tournament. Marquette has had a great offense this year led by seniors Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder who have been the keys to the success for Marquette this season. This will be a really close game but the home court advantage for Marquette will help them overcome the Hoyas as Darius Johnson-Odom will make some big threes.
Battle on the Bubble
One team that should win today is Colorado State as they should be able to beat Air Force which will allow them to sit back, relax, and see how everything else plays out. Texas has a tough game today as they have to travel to the tough Allen Fieldhouse to take on the fourth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks led by big man and player of the year candidate Thomas Robinson. Texas will not be able to win as Robinson will prove why he is a favorite to win player of the year this season. Texas will have to win a few games in the Big 12 conference tournament. South Florida hosts West Virginia in what is a great chance to make their resume even better. I think South Florida will get another win today and move into a slightly safer position on the bubble and West Virginia will slide a little closer to falling out of the tournament. Connecticut has been struggling recently and I think Pittsburgh will go to Storres and win as UCONN is going have to win some games in the Big East tournament. Northwestern has a tough road trip today to Iowa after they had a devastating loss to Ohio State this week. I think Northwestern will rebound today and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive as the Wildcats will have to win at least one game in the Big 10 conference tournament. Xavier should have no problem getting a win today as they could move past Texas on the bubble. BYU could also fall onto the bubble as I think Gonzaga will beat the Cougers today. Oregon should be able to get an easy win today against an awful Utah team which should help them out a lot as they need to make a run in the Pac 12 tournament. Miami should also be able to get an easy win against Boston College as fellow ACC bubble team NC State does not play till tomorrow.
Last 6 in (Coming into Today in order)
BYU, West Virginia, South Florida, Colorado State, Texas, Northwestern
First 7 out
Xavier, NC State, VCU, Miami, Oregon, Saint Joseph's, Colorado
After Today
South Florida move off the bubble.
Last 6 in
West Virginia, BYU, Colorado State, UCONN, Northwestern, Xavier
First 7 out
Texas, Miami, VCU, NC State, Oregon, TCU (TCU will jump onto bubble with upset win against San Diego State), Saint Joseph's
6 North Carolina at 3 Duke
College basketball's most fameous rivalry will take center stage tonight as the Cameron Crazies will be going crazy as Duke looks to seal up a number one seed. North Carolina is looking for revenge after Austin Rivers beat the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill on a buzzer-beater in the first game of this rivalry this season. North Carolina also knows that a win could put them into position to receive a number one seed in the tournament. This game should be a high-scoring game as both teams have excellent offenses that will put point totals in the 70 to 90 range. The key for North Carolina is containing the outside shooting game of Duke as the Plumlee brothers are not better than the North Carolina duo of Tyler Zeller and John Henson. The key for Duke tonight is to shut down North Carolina PG Kendall Marshall who has been the key to the electric Tar Heel offense once again this season and probably will be an All-American. Duke definitely has a great home court advantage at Cameron Indoor but North Carolina is the better team as they will get some revenge tonight as Zeller and Henson will dominate the inside while Marshall will be able to work his magic in a close shootout. This could set the mood for a round three in the ACC Tournament.
18 Louisville at 2 Syracuse
Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals have a real challenge today as they will look to get some revenge on Syracuse after the Orange went to Louisville and beat the Cardinals. Syracuse is arguably the best team in the country as they are a favorite to win the national title in New Orleans this year. Syracuse does not just rely on one or two players to be really good as they have 5 or 6 players that can be relied on which is very impressive. Louisville has been a very good defensive team this year as that has allowed the Cardinals to be as good as they are. The Cardinals offense has struggled recently as they have lost two of their last three games. Louisville will need to step up their offensive game if they want to have any shot of pulling off the upset. For Syracuse, they need to continue to do what they have done all season which is not have only a couple of players be playing well. Syracuse is just too talented of a team as the Orange will cruise past the Cardinals with Kris Joseph making some big shots.
12 Georgetown at 7 Marquette
Georgetown and Marquette have both exceeded expectations this year as neither team was seen as a top 15 team. Both teams will probably be top 3 seeds in the tournament as they have put together impressive seasons in the tough Big East. Georgetown has been led this season by senior guard Jason Clark who is the leading scorer for a Georgetown team that is not known for its offense. Georgetown has one of the best defenses in the country as they are rarely allowing more than 70 points which is impressive. Buzz Williams has put himself in the running for coach of the year this season as his Golden Eagles could be a two seed in the tournament. Marquette has had a great offense this year led by seniors Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder who have been the keys to the success for Marquette this season. This will be a really close game but the home court advantage for Marquette will help them overcome the Hoyas as Darius Johnson-Odom will make some big threes.
Battle on the Bubble
One team that should win today is Colorado State as they should be able to beat Air Force which will allow them to sit back, relax, and see how everything else plays out. Texas has a tough game today as they have to travel to the tough Allen Fieldhouse to take on the fourth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks led by big man and player of the year candidate Thomas Robinson. Texas will not be able to win as Robinson will prove why he is a favorite to win player of the year this season. Texas will have to win a few games in the Big 12 conference tournament. South Florida hosts West Virginia in what is a great chance to make their resume even better. I think South Florida will get another win today and move into a slightly safer position on the bubble and West Virginia will slide a little closer to falling out of the tournament. Connecticut has been struggling recently and I think Pittsburgh will go to Storres and win as UCONN is going have to win some games in the Big East tournament. Northwestern has a tough road trip today to Iowa after they had a devastating loss to Ohio State this week. I think Northwestern will rebound today and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive as the Wildcats will have to win at least one game in the Big 10 conference tournament. Xavier should have no problem getting a win today as they could move past Texas on the bubble. BYU could also fall onto the bubble as I think Gonzaga will beat the Cougers today. Oregon should be able to get an easy win today against an awful Utah team which should help them out a lot as they need to make a run in the Pac 12 tournament. Miami should also be able to get an easy win against Boston College as fellow ACC bubble team NC State does not play till tomorrow.
Last 6 in (Coming into Today in order)
BYU, West Virginia, South Florida, Colorado State, Texas, Northwestern
First 7 out
Xavier, NC State, VCU, Miami, Oregon, Saint Joseph's, Colorado
After Today
South Florida move off the bubble.
Last 6 in
West Virginia, BYU, Colorado State, UCONN, Northwestern, Xavier
First 7 out
Texas, Miami, VCU, NC State, Oregon, TCU (TCU will jump onto bubble with upset win against San Diego State), Saint Joseph's
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