Michigan, Illinois on observe; Texas falls behind
Michigan comfortably fended off a win-hungry Indiana group on the NCAA Match bubble on Saturday to enhance to 18-1 on the season and 13-1 in Massive Ten play.
With simply three regular-season video games remaining and two weeks till Choice Sunday, the Wolverines, ranked third within the Ferris Mowers Coaches Ballot, have all however locked up a No. 1 seed within the NCAA Match. Even when coach Juwan Howard’s group had been to lose, Michigan is way forward of the groups chasing No. 2 seeds.
Michigan’s match résumé features a NET rating of three and prime 30 energy of schedule to go together with seven Quadrant 1 victories. Whereas Gonzaga hasn’t misplaced and is the clear-cut favourite to be the highest seed on Choice Sunday after Baylor’s loss to Kansas, Michigan now’s inching close to the security zone for a prime seed, whereas projected No. 1 seed Ohio State and No. 2 seeds Villanova, Alabama, Illinois and West Virginia are possible too far behind to make it fascinating.
Winners
Texas Tech. The Purple Raiders (15-8, 7-7) snapped a three-game shedding streak dispatching Texas, 68-59. Texas Tech’s protection was again on observe on this one, and a balanced offensive effort (5 gamers in double figures) helped, too. Texas began the day as a No. Four seed within the projected NCAA Match subject, and Texas Tech a No. 5 seed. After Saturday’s Massive 12 conflict, now these seeds can swap.
Oklahoma State. Cade Cunningham’s 40 factors helped propel the Cowboys (16-6, 9-6) to an exhilarating time beyond regulation victory over Oklahoma, 94-90. Oklahoma State has surged late within the season, vaulting as much as a No. 5 seed in the latest bracketology. Cunningham’s clutch play makes this group scary good heading into March.
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Michigan. The Wolverines’ 73-57 win over Indiana was fueled 21 factors from Franz Wagner. The 6-9 capturing guard is coming into his personal and offers Michigan much more offense to pair alongside veteran Isaiah Livers and freshman standout Hunter Dickinson.
Kansas. Its upset of Baylor, together with different groups’ stumbles, may put the No. 19 Jayhawks within the combine to safe a No. three seed. That appeared unlikely earlier this month, when Kansas had misplaced 5 of seven.
Illinois. The Combating Illini (18-6, 14-4) bounced again from an upset loss earlier this week to Michigan State holding off Wisconsin, 74-69. Illinois, ranked No. Four within the Ferris Mowers Coaches Ballot, has a slight shot at attaining a No. 1 seed however has a robust case to accept a No. 2 seed. Beating the Badgers almost solidifies that top-2 seed. The Illini are among the best rebounding groups within the nation (rating fifth nationally), and that is largely due to huge man Kofi Cockburn, who almost broke the rim on a monstrous dunk Saturday.
Alabama. The Crimson Tide clinched the SEC regular-season title for the primary time since 2002 with a win in opposition to Mississippi State. As the highest seed for the SEC Match, they will get a double e.
Clemson. The Tigers (15-5, 9-5) entered the day as a projected No. 7 seed and wanted to prevented a loss to solidify their inclusion within the NCAA Match, and that was completed heading off Miami (Florida), 66-58. Avoiding losses to bottom-feeder opponents is crucial at this level within the season.
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BRACKETOLOGY: Massive 12 may have 5 groups in top-Four seeding
Losers
Tennessee. The Volunteers (16-7, 9-7) fell to a mediocre SEC group in Auburn, 77-72, and that is three of the previous 4 they’ve misplaced now. Tennessee had slipped to a No. 6 seed within the newest bracket and Saturday’s end result will not assist in constructing again as much as a greater seed.
Florida State. The Seminoles vaulted to the highest of the ACC standings however did not look the a part of the most effective group within the league Saturday, shedding to North Carolina, 78-70. FSU was properly positioned to notch a No. three seed, however now they could drift nearer to a No. Four seed. Fortunately for Florida State, one other projected No. three seed, Oklahoma, misplaced.
Texas. The Longhorns (14-7, 8-6) had been coming off an enormous win over Kansas however could not journey that momentum in opposition to a win-hungry Texas Tech group. The Massive 12 slate has positioned Texas for a top-five seed however the distinction between a No. three or No. 5 seed shall be decided within the final a number of video games.
Baylor: Even with the loss to Kansas, Baylor is not anticipated to be denied a No. 1 seed. That would change, although, if the remaining video games do not go properly.
LSU. The Tigers (14-8, 9-6) weren’t near the NCAA Match bubble per week in the past however back-to-back losses to Georgia and now Arkansas places LSU within the harmful No. 9 or No. 10 seed vary. In Saturday’s 83-75 loss to the Razorbacks, LSU’s protection was suspect all through. Offense is not a problem for this group, however the Tigers rank 279th within the nation in scoring protection.
Comply with faculty basketball reporter Scott Gleeson on Twitter @ScottMGleeson
