Despite taking an extra day to get here, we finally made it to the month of March madness. Every Big 12 men’s basketball game played on Saturday has tournament implications.
This is Nebraska’s last chance to solidify its spot in the field. If the Huskers can win here and avoid the last two land mines, they’ll arrive in Minneapolis knowing they’re safe. If not, they’ll have work to do at the Big Ten tournament.
A much more highly regarded Virginia squad came to Chestnut Hill last year, scored 48 points and left with a 15-point defeat. If the Cavaliers can’t step up the offense, another defeat to BC could be in the cards.
A season sweep likely lands Providence firmly in the field. But Marquette’s playing for a No. 1 seed, and with the return game with Connecticut still to come, the Golden Eagles could get it — if they can run the table.
The Volunteers currently lead the race for the SEC title, with the Tigers just one game behind. Both of these programs know they’ll be in the field and will hold a very high seed, so they’re playing solely for regular season honors.
John Calipari has treated Mississippi State like Mississippi Valley State, owning an 18-1 record against the Bulldogs and 17-0 outside of the SEC tournament. But even the Delta Devils finally won one, as they broke through on Tuesday to raise their record to 1-27. Could Mississippi State finally end its own run of futility against Kentucky?
The Tigers appear to have the opponent they need, as Clemson has really had Pittsburgh’s number. Since Pitt’s inaugural ACC season, Clemson has dominated this series, winning 11 straight over the Panthers.
If the NCAA tournament was played at Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas would be the overwhelming favorite to win the title. The Jayhawks have been so unbeatable in their building that even defending champion and likely top seed Connecticut couldn’t handle them there.
Cincinnati hasn’t found the Fertitta Center any more welcoming than any other Big 12 visitors. The Bearcats are used to coming to Houston, as the teams used to be American Athletic Conference rivals, but that only means that the Cougars have won nine of 10 from Cincinnati and six straight in Houston. Cincinnati hasn’t won in the Space City since 2017, the final year before Houston built the Fertitta Center.