Normally, this is the day where the bubble starts to end. A couple teams will make a run, but for the most part, 7th and 8th seeds in the conference start losing to 1st and 2nd seed – and we start to watch the field set itself.
Not so far today. The Bubble knows their seasons are on the line, and they are playing like it. Lets look at what has happened so far.
Oklahoma really could not afford another loss – so all they did was beat #3 Baylor 72-67
TCU at 8-10 in the Big 12 also could use one more big win – they got it with a 65-60 win over #22 Texas.
Texas A&M and Florida played an awesome overtime game, where the Aggies won with a late three-pointer, 83-80.
I already ranted about Indiana’s amazing comeback victory over Michigan – but we can’t forget them.
St. Louis started off their Atlantic 10 tournament with a 20 point victory over LaSalle.
Miami FL had to hold off Boston College in overtime, but did manage to get a 2 point victory.
Creighton beat Marquette by 11 points in the Big East – the NET would have said Marquette was the favorite in this game, but Creighton was actually the better seed.
Boise State held on to a 71-69 victory against Nevada to make sure they moved on in the Mountain West.
Colorado was the middle team to break away in the Pac 12 – with an 11 point victory over Oregon.
Wyoming kept their hopes alive in the Mountain West with a 2 point victory over UNLV.
North Texas started off their Conference USA tourney with a 18 point victory.
Michigan State jumped out big against Maryland, and then held on for a 4 point win.
Virginia Tech rode the momentum from their buzzer-beater victory last night to beat Notre Dame by 7.
Notice that almost any time that a bubble team lost, it was because they were playing another bubble team. Teams that had an opportunity to get a huge win jumped at that opportunity. Teams that needed a win to keep their seasons alive did so.
It has been a pretty good day for the bubble teams – they are playing like their seasons depend on it. Because they do depend on it!!!!