It was a day where teams still on the bubble had a shot to make a statement, while others were competing in their respective conference tournament games. Some top-25 teams were trying to show that they truly did deserve their ranking, while others were trying to make one last run at winning their regular season conference title.
Let’s start with the teams who punched their ticket to the tournament officially on Saturday. Kerron Johnson hit a game-winner in overtime of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship to lift Belmont over Murray State, 70-68. Belmont was in regardless (with an RPI of 21), but Murray State could’ve stolen a spot from a team on the bubble that was seeking an at-large bid. Those teams can sigh for relief. Kerron Johnson not only tied the game in regulation, but he won it for Belmont. This is a definite team to watch in the tournament. They have the solid backcourt to match a lot of teams in the Big Dance, and they could make a lot of noise. Belmont finishes the season on a six-game winning streak, with a 26-6 record.
Florida Gulf Coast commanded Mercer in the Atlantic Sun Tournament Final 88-75, and earned their spot in the NCAA Tournament. Out of the Ivy League, Harvard fought off Cornell to win the Ivy League, 65-56. They are heading to the tourney for the second straight year.
On Sunday, the Big South and Missouri Valley will hold their conference tournament championships, as Liberty and Charleston Southern play for the Big South and Creighton and Wichita St. fight for the Missouri Valley (both Creighton and Wichita St. are most likely at-large, at the very least).
Now, it was a day for some teams to still keep their hopes at receiving an at-large bid alive. Losers of two straight, the 21-10 Kentucky Wildcats had one last shot in their regular season to prove that they belong in the Big Dance. They kept their hopes alive, as the Wildcats knocked of #11 Florida, 61-57. Now, Coach Calipari and Kentucky need a deep run in the SEC Tournament, in my opinion, to show that they deserve a bid. I think it will take a run all the way to the SEC title game, and that could be enough to get them in there.
The Alabama Crimson Tide, who are in Joe Lunardi’s “First Four Out,” kept their remaining hopes of a possible at-large bid alive with a half-court buzzer beater by Trevor Releford. They edged the Georgia Bulldogs, 61-58. Baylor also made a huge statement on Saturday evening, as they hosted red-hot #3 Kansas, who had won seven straight. The Jayhawks clinched a share of the title even before they walked into Baylor, but could’ve taken the outright. Instead, they fell 81-58. Cory Jefferson and Pierre Jackson combined for 53 points as Baylor still has a shot for an at-large berth. Baylor plays Oklahoma State on Thursday in Big 12 Tournament action. That is a big one for the Bears’ case.
Top 25 Capsules
#5 Georgetown has won 12 of 13 games, as they hammered #17 Syracuse, 61-39. Georgetown will share a portion of the Big East Title with Marquette and Louisville. John Thompson III has a team in the Hoyas that could receive a top seed in the Big Dance, but it depends on how the Big East Tourney in NYC goes this week.
#15 Marquette clinched a share of the Big East title with a buzzer beater by Vander Blue to lift the Golden Eagles past St. John’s, 69-67. It was a close one at Madison Square Garden, but Marquette survived the scare. Buzz Williams’ team has a lot of potential to make some noise, as they run the floor well and know how to force turnovers consistently on the defensive end.
#6 Louisville wore down #24 Notre Dame 73-57, to clinch a share of the Big East Title. Gorgui Dieng led the way for the Cardinals, as he scored 20 points and pulled down 11 boards, Louisville will defend its 2012 championship in the Big East Tournament this week in New York City. The Cards can really challenge teams offensively, as they are led by Dieng, and stud guard Peyton Siva. With a coach like Rick Pitino, this team moves the ball really well and knows how to break teams down defensively. They need to have the quick pace though, because this team still has had slip-ups when they have been slowed down offensively. Are they playing well at the right time, though? Absolutely.
#13 Oklahoma State was led by Le’Bryan Nash (24 points) and Marcus Smart (21 points) to topple Kansas State 76-70. The Wildcats could not handle the Cowboys in the lane, as Oklahoma State won at home. K-State does still have a share of the Big 12 regular season title though, with the Kansas loss to Baylor.
#6 Miami bounced back to roll through Clemson 62-49, to clinch the ACC regular season title. The ‘Canes snapped their two-game losing streak, as Jim Larranaga and Miami celebrated their big afternoon by cutting down the nets in South Beach. 6’11 Forward Kenny Kadji led Miami with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Clemson dropped to 13-17, as they have lost six in a row. It wasn’t a statement-maker for Miami, but they won a game that they needed just to get back to winning ways. This Hurricanes squad still worries me though, as they can get inefficient at times. They are loaded with talent, but they are still a team to keep an eye on according to their match-up in the tournament.
The Top 2 Squads Currently, IN MY OPINION…
#1 Gonzaga rolled through Loyola Marymount 66-48, to advance to the West Coast Conference Final (Monday night). Elias Harris scored 21 points and racked up eight rebounds to lead the Bulldogs. Gonzaga is 16-0, and has not lost since January 19 (Butler, 64-63). They are 10th in points per game at 78.4, 3rd in field goal percentage at 51 %, and 25th in assists per game at 15.5.
#3 Duke completed a season sweep of North Carolina as the Blue Devils earned a big road win over the Tar Heels, 69-53. Mason Plumlee scored 23 points and took down 13 rebounds. The Blue Devils came ready to play in the big rivalry showdown. Duke scored the first 14 points, and they never looked back. The Blue Devils locked the Heels up offensively, as they UNC’s leading scorer was P.J. Hairston (14 points). What a win for Coach K and the Dukies, as they are the #2-seed in the ACC Tournament. Miami is the top team in the tournament, with the Tar Heels at #3.
Sunday’s Games to Watch
#2 Indiana Looks for Outright Big Ten Title at #7 Michigan
The Hoosiers can claim the title with a win, but they face a critical season finale road test as they meet Trey Burke and the Wolverines. Tip-off at 4 pm on CBS.
#14 Ohio State Hosts Illinois Still Hopeful for Share of Big Ten Title
Bucks meet the Illini, as they need to win and hope for a Michigan win over Indiana for a share of the Big Ten Title. Ohio State has won four in a row, and comes off of a huge road victory over #2 Indiana, 67-58. Thad Matta and the Bucks may very well be peaking at the right moment. With speculation that OSU may be placed in the San Jose Region, that could bode well. The Bucks could be under the radar out west, which may truly help them. This contest tips off at 12:30 pm on ESPN.
