I decided to take my recent Twitter thread and turn it into an article, every day, until the March Madness field is selected.
It’s the last day of January, which signifies how close March Madness is. Sure, there is still time for teams to boost – or destroy their resumes. But the clock is ticking!
#4 Duke (19-1, 8-0) at Virginia Tech (16-6, 5-4) – Noon on ESPN
You have to think the VTech home crowd will be rocking this afternoon, as they welcome Duke to town for a chance at a Quad 1 win. The Hokies are firmly on the bubble, and this is the type of win that can change that in a hurry.
For Duke, a one seed is theirs for the taking, so limiting any losses going forward – especially to unranked teams – is the main goal.
#11 Texas Tech (16-4, 6-1) at UCF (16-4, 5-3) – Noon on ESPN2
The Big 12 is slowly proving itself to be the best league in the country and games like this is why. Texas Tech comes in steamrolling, winning five straight games, including against Houston last time out. A one seed is a far reach, but a two seed is certainly in play for the Red Raiders.
Meanwhile, even though UCF is 16-4, they could really use some more resume wins, and there won’t be many better opportunities than this. They haven’t lost a game outside of Quad 1, but the 2-4 record there could use another one for good measure.
Georgetown (11-10, 3-7) at Butler (13-8, 4-6) – Noon on TNT
I’m unsure how many teams the Big East will see dancing this year, and Butler is right on the cusp of helping the conference’s case. A win over Georgetown won’t give them a huge jump in any metrics, but it is a must-win if they want to stay under consideration for an at-large bid entering February. Georgetown has quietly won two of three, so don’t count them out from ruining Butler’s season.
San Diego State (15-5, 9-1) at Utah State (17-3, 8-2) – 1 p.m. on CBS
It’s one of the best games on the slate this Saturday, especially if you want a break from Power 5 hoops. Utah State welcomes San Diego State, in hopes of getting to 18-3 and picking up another quality win to make sure they get an at-large bid come mid-March.
For the Aztecs? This might be the biggest game of the year. A potential Quad 1 win is at stake in conference play, which doesn’t happen often. San Diego State has really turned it around in MWC play, but at 45th in the NET, they are far from a lock.
Texas A&M (16-4, 6-1) at Georgia (16-5, 4-4) – 1 p.m. on SEC Network
It’s an SEC battle between two teams not at the top of the conference, but certainly in the mix for good seeds in March Madness. The Aggies enter Saturday at 39th in the NET, while Georgia is 34th. Both teams are also top 35 in KenPom, so at this moment, they are both comfortably in the big dance. But things will change, and teams will fall off. They’re both hoping they aren’t part of that group, and games like this can make all the difference.
SMU (15-5, 4-3) at #20 Louisville (14-6, 4-4) – 2 p.m. on ESPN
Mikel Brown Jr. is back at a good time, because while the Cardinals are still ranked, they are close to being under .500 in ACC play and still have some key games coming up. And they’ll need him against SMU and Boopie Miller, who is one of the most electrifying guards in the country. Both teams are safely in the field as of Jan. 31, so as it stands, this game is more about improving your seed.
Ohio State (14-6, 6-4) at Wisconsin (15-6, 7-3) – 2 p.m. on FOX
Bruce Thornton’s had an outstanding season to this point, but he needs to start leading the Buckeyes to some good wins – they are just 1-5 in Quad 1 games so far.
Somehow, Wisconsin is still behind Ohio State in the NET, which is surprising considering they own a win over Michigan. Both teams are far from locks, but are definitely above the bubble, and it should make for a classic Big Ten game.
Texas (12-9, 3-5) at Oklahoma (11-10, 1-7) – 2 p.m. on ESPN2
This might be the most important bubble game in college basketball this Saturday. Texas enters with an unconvincing record, a solid NET ranking, but metrics that you don’t feel you can trust.
Conversely, the Sooners are out of the picture – but not completely done yet, if they can string together a good end of their Big 12 schedule. Plus, they’ve got this game at home, for the perfect chance at starting a turnaround.
Sean Miller against Porter Moser for some big stakes!
Northern Illinois (7-13, 3-6) at #24 Miami-Ohio (21-0, 9-0) – 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
From here on out, Miami (OH) will always be playing a game important toward being selected as an at-large for March Madness. They’ve had some scares lately, but should be fine against an NIU team with just seven wins to this point. For Miami, it could be the perfect way to start getting some more convincing wins.
Mississippi State (11-10, 3-5) at Missouri (14-7, 4-4) – 3:30 p.m. on SEC Network
For Missouri, there’s no way a win here does much for their March Madness case, and they’ve already built up a trio of Quad 1 wins. But they have three Quad 2 losses and can’t really afford a home loss to the Bulldogs. It’s not going to make or break their case, but they definitely don’t want to make it harder on themselves.
Baylor (11-9, 1-7) at West Virginia (14-7, 5-3) – 4 p.m. on ESPN2
Another huge bubble game, the Bears are pretty much pushing themselves out of consideration, but surprisingly are still 63rd in the NET. A road win at WVU could help keep the metrics in check.
For the Mountaineers, they sit at just 2-7 in Quad1/2 games, so limiting losses like this is a good rule of thumb going forward. They haven’t lost a Big 12 match in Morgantown all season, so the odds are in their favor.
Cal (15-6, 3-5) at Miami-Fla (17-4, 6-2) – 4 p.m on ACC Network
This might be the most important ACC game of this weekend. Cal comes in at under .500 in the conference and in need of a solid road win to boost their resume, especially after a terrible loss at Florida State.
Miami wants to ruin their Florida trip even more and stay atop the ACC, as they enter this weekend tied for third at 6-2. The Canes also don’t have a ton of wins that jump off the page to you, and while Cal won’t do that either, it’s better than some!
#13 BYU (17-3, 5-2) at #14 Kansas (15-5, 5-2) – 4:30 p.m. on ESPN
This is the best game in college basketball on Saturday, but it really doesn’t have a whole lot of impacts on March Madness. Both teams should be safely in, and more so, looking for positioning on getting a top four seed.
Kansas has been playing better, so they’re hoping to build on that good play and get a fourth Quad 1 win.
Meanwhile, BYU lost a close one to Arizona, and I would guess they don’t want to miss out on all of their quality win opportunities. And with AJ Dybantsa in Allen Fieldhouse, it should be an awesome atmosphere.
Indiana (14-7, 5-5) at UCLA (15-6, 7-3) – 5 p.m. on Peacock
Outside of Texas and Oklahoma, this is one of the biggest bubble games this Saturday. And are we sure these aren’t the same exact teams? Both hold recent wins over Purdue and could use a few more wins to strengthen their resumes. Both are also two of the worst rebounding teams in the Big Ten, so if you want to watch a game where teams control the glass, I advise you against this one. But if you want to watch a game where both teams are playing their hearts out for an important win, it should be a close and fun one.
Kentucky (14-7, 5-3) at #15 Arkansas (16-5, 6-2) – 6:30 p.m. on ESPN
This is one of the most fun games of the day, as John Calipari hosts his old team in a big game for the Wildcats. The UK fanbase has about had it with Mark Pope, and this could be the breaking point or the saving point. It seems like the type of game that’ll either go Arkansas’s way by 30 or Mark Pope will coach the game of his life and keep Kentucky in position to make it to March Madness. Either way, it should be a fun one to watch.
George Mason (19-2, 7-1) at St. Bonaventure (13-8, 2-6) – 6:30 p.m. on USA Network
Enjoy Tony Skinn while you got him, George Mason. He’s due for a Power Five job this offseason. But for now, the run for an at-large bid is on, and it takes a trip to Olean on Saturday. The Patriots can improve to 20-2 with a win and stay in the top 70 of the NET. This is no longer a one-bid A-10!
Harvard (11-9, 4-2) at Yale (16-3, 5-1) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Like GMU, Yale is playing for an outside chance at an at-large bid and looks to take down rival Harvard at home. There isn’t much to say past that, but it should be a good one in New Haven.
McNeese (17-4, 10-2) at Lamar (11-10, 6-6) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
I guess this is the part of the article where it’s all about mid-major teams looking to prove to the March Madness committee why they should be selected. McNeese can’t really afford another loss in the regular season, though.
#2 UConn (20-1, 10-0) at Creighton (12-9, 6-4) – 8 p.m. on FOX
UConn is playing for a one-seed, but Creighton has long given the Huskies trouble. Of course, most of that was in the Ryan Kalkbrenner era, but with this game being in Omaha and Creighton coming off a terrible loss to Marquette, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Greg McDermott coach a masterclass. Creighton NEEDS a win like this to save their stock.
Murray State (16-6, 8-3) at Belmont (19-3, 9-2) – 8 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
It’s the best mid-major game of the day as two MVC teams in the top 85 in the NET square off in Nashville, Tennessee. Belmont is in the best position for an at-large, and they don’t have many chances like this one left.
South Florida (14-7, 6-2) at Temple (13-8, 5-3) – 8 p.m on ESPN2
USF is somehow 60th in the NET and also in the realm of these mid-major teams who are close to seriously being on the bubble. Although with seven losses already, I’m not sure if they can afford a loss to Temple, even on the road.
Auburn (14-7, 5-3) at Tennessee (14-6, 4-3) – 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
It’s the Bruce Pearl game! The legendary head coach once roamed the sidelines for both teams at one point or another. But this game is a chance for his son, Steven, to pick up a massive win at Rick Barnes and UT. And in a wide-open SEC, both teams can really look to join that top tier with a win here and some more good play going forward.
Santa Clara (18-5, 9-1) at Loyola Marymount (11-12, 2-8) – 9 p.m on ESPN+
This isn’t about Santa Clara winning, but not losing. A loss could theoretically end their chances at an at-large, even with future games against Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s. It might sound harsh, but historically, once you get a sixth loss as a mid-major team, things get shaky on Selection Sunday.
New Mexico (17-4, 8-2) at San Jose State (6-15, 1-9) – 10 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Like Santa Clara, this game is about avoiding a loss at all costs. UNM is 38th in the NET, but just 1-3 in Quad 1, and having already suffered a Quad 3 loss, they can’t afford another.
Saint Mary’s (19-3, 8-1) at #6 Gonzaga (21-1, 9-0) – 10:30 p.m. on ESPN
How blessed are we as college basketball fans to always get such great games in the Saint Mary’s – Gonzaga rivalry? It turns another page on Saturday night, as the Gaels can really help their case with a Quad 1 road win. Meanwhile, the Zags can still get a one-seed, so I’m sure Mark Few will have them ready. And with Graham Ike expected to return, that could be just what the doctor ordered.