Bubble Update - 2/21

BIG BUBBLE GAME LAST NIGHT

Alabama-Arkansas.  Just like I said on my "HOOPS ASSASSIN" by The SPORTZ ASSASSIN blog yesterday [check it out as I update it every night with the implications of that night's games on the bubble]:  "In the SEC, Alabama heads to Arkansas which could be an elimination-type game for both teams.  Both are on the bubble in the SEC with a surging Kentucky on the other side that might lock a bid in before either of them.  Alabama needs this road win to stay away from the10-loss mark right now [which could be a killer for them heading into the SEC tourny]...but at the same time, Arkansas can't afford to lose at home to a team they can beat.  The game is on ESPN at 9 pm"

Well, it was the big game.  Arkansas came back from down 18 points to roll the Tide by a bucket.....65-63.  Huge game for the Razorbacks who couldn't afford losing at home, especially to a team that's on the bubble with them. 

Here's the rest of the best from last night....

STOCK RISING

Virginia.  They needed that huge win over Boston College to keep their slim tourny hopes alive.  Up next, they head to Chapel Hill to face the equally hot Tar Heels.

STOCK FALLING

Seton Hall.  They followed up a loss to Notre Dame by getting beat by another non-NCAA team St. John's.  Not too good for a team teetering on the bubble.  They have a HUGE game against Cincinnati [another bubble team] this weekend.

BIG GAMES TONIGHT!!!

What a ton of huge games on tap.  In the SEC, Tennessee heads to Florida for a rematch of a game where (a) Florida suffered their first loss, (b) the rushing the court by Vols fans earned the school a fine and (c) means that 1st place in the SEC East is up for grabs.  Including the earlier meeting, the Gators are just 5-4 since their undefeated start.  The Vols just had their 8 game winning streak snapped in Alabama.  While both teams are pretty much locks to get in the tournament....a possible #2 seed could be had in this game....especially if the Vols can make it a clean sweep of the Gators.  Ohio State faces Michigan State in one of those big seeding-type statements.  Someone will come out of the Big Ten with a #2 seed [I can just feel it] so winning this game would go along way toward both team's resumes. 

But those are games involving pretty much locks.  There are some bigger bubble games, like North Carolina-NC State.  This rivalry will be huge for both.  With a win, the Heels pretty much get their tickets for the dance locked in.  A loss could lead to a very bad week ahead.  For State, it is about seeding.  NC State is trying to vault into host-pod status which would beneficial to them in trying to be a spoiler during the tournament.

Also in the ACC, there are two other HUGE bracket-buster games.  Maryland-Florida State is a matchup of two teams squarely on the bubble.  Neither team can really afford to lose this game...since it will be viewed as an "elimination" type game.  I feel if the Noles lose, they are on the thinnest of ice to get in.  Also, two former Big East rivals go at it when Virginia Tech heads to Miami.  Both are on the outer fringes of the bubble...and the team that loses here pretty much knows that an ACC tournament victory is their only shot. 

ALSO: 
LSU at Vanderbilt
Colorado at Nebraska