With Selection Sunday just over three weeks away, some teams are looking for a statement win to put on their NCAA tournament resume.
Here are a few bubble teams that have a chance to get a big win this weekend:
Kansas State @ #10 Baylor
K State is 6-7 in the Big 12 and really needs a win to put them back into the top half of the conference. Baylor won the first meeting at Kansas State by 2.
UConn vs. #13 Marquette
UConn is going to need some late season magic to have a chance to defend their title. They welcome in second place Marquette to Storrs, CT. UConn needs a boost after losing 6 of its last 8.
NC State vs. #21 Florida State
NC State blew their chance at getting a huge win by blowing a 20 point lead to Duke. Luckily, they can redeem themselves with a home win against a ranked Florida State, coming off a buzzer beater win against Virginia Tech.
Arkansas vs. #12 Florida
6 teams in the SEC are 6-5 or 5-6. Arkansas needs a win against Florida to stay alive in the tournament hunt. Florida has lost 2 of its last 3, but remains the SEC’s second best team.
Purdue vs. #8 Michigan State
Purdue lacks a big conference win and this could be it. Michigan State is coming off an impressive road win at Ohio State. Purdue is currently on the right side of the bubble and a win here should make them a lock for the tourney.
This weekend only has two games featuring two ranked teams, but this weekend is special because it is highlighted by a couple Bracketbuster matchups. Here are some games I am really looking forward to this weekend:
#6 Ohio State @ #19 Michigan
This is the big one. Ohio State is coming off a rare loss to the Spartans and will be looking to avoid consecutive losses. Michigan is undefeated at home this year and a win would keep them in the hunt for a Big-10 regular season title.
#11 UNLV @ New Mexico
First place in the Mountain West: UNLV? No, SDSU? No, it is New Mexico. The Lobos have taken over first place in the MWC after winning at San Diego State. UNLV has lost their last two road games, but did beat New Mexico 80-63 in their first matchup. The Lobos have quietly been taking care of business and could be a tough out in the NCAA tourney.
#16 St. Mary’s @ #14 Murray State
This is the big Bracketbuster matchup of the weekend. Even though we expected Murray State to be undefeated, it should still be a great game. We will figure out how good Murray State actually is and if St. Mary’s is good enough to dethrone Gonzaga as the WCC’s top team.
Wichita State @ Davidson
Wichita State has proven itself to be the MVC’s top team and has won 13 of 14 in 2012. Davidson should win its conference this year. It will be interesting to see how they play against the caliber of Wichita State because they haven’t played a team this good in a while.
Nevada @ Iona
These two teams make for another good Bracketbuster matchup. Iona has two very good players in Scott Machado and Michael Glover. It is hard to tell how good they are because they have yet to play a ranked team and have some very questionable losses. Nevada is another solid team without a quality win, but they have their conference title locked up. Both teams will provide a tough matchup in the NCAA tourney.
Long Beach State @ Creighton
Long Beach State played a tough non-conference schedule, but is undefeated in the Big West. They should make the tourney even if they don’t win their conference tourney. Creighton is having a solid year behind the scoring of Doug McDermott. They have lost 3 of their last 4, but should make the tourney regardless of their finish. Creighton leads the nation in FG%.
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