Key Games - Thursday

A rundown of the most important games of the day:


8 Providence vs. 1 Louisville - 12:00 ET

Considering only 9 of 55 brackets over at The Bracket Project project Providence as In the tournament, they most likely must win this game to get a bid. If they do, they are a sure thing.

9 Northwestern vs. 8 Minnesota - 12:00 ET

It's tough to imagine Minnesota losing this game and making the field, and it's impossible for Northwestern. If Minnesota wins, I think they will definitely make it. Northwestern needs this one and another over Michigan State to get into the conversation.

9 Miami Fl vs 8 Virginia Tech - 12:00 ET

The loser is completely out of it. The winner stays alive, but would need at least a win over UNC and likely another win in the semifinals.

5 Marquette vs 4 Villanova - 2:30 ET

This is just a great match-up. Villanova could get up to a 2 seed if they were to win the Big East tournament, if they lose this game, they could go as low as a 5 (probably not). Marquette will not fall any lower than a 6 seed, and winning the Big East tournament could catapult them up to a 2 seed, if things fell right.

5 Arizona vs 4 Arizona St. - 3:00 ET

While Arizona State is safely in, I'm sure they'd like to score a few wins in the Pac 10 tournament and improve their seed. I have them as a 6 right now, some projections have them as low as an 8. A loss may drop them to the 7-9 seed range. Meanwhile, this is do or die for Arizona. While most projections have them in, a loss would drop that considerably. If they lose they will be squarely on the bubble, I'll probably have them out.

5 Texas vs 4 Kansas St. - 3:00 ET

Kansas State needs this win, and in my estimation a win in the semifinals, to get an at-large bid. Texas would end up in an 8/9 or 7/10 game if they lost, but could get up as high as a 4 if they were to win the tournament.

5 UNLV vs 4 San Diego St. - 5:30 ET

2 Bubblemates square off here. The winner will make it, the loser wont. Should be exciting!

7 Oklahoma St. vs 2 Oklahoma - 7:00 ET

Oklahoma State can save itself a lot of sweat by winning this one. Oklahoma needs to win to stay in the 1 seed conversation.

7 WVU vs 2 Pitt - 7:00 ET

A loss from Pitt here may cost them a 1 seed. WVU looks to improve on a likely 7 or 8 seed.

6 Syracuse vs 3 UCONN - 9:30 ET

UCONN absolutely needs this one to remain a 1 seed. Syracuse could really elevate their season by making a run in the Big East tournament, winning it (and beating UConn, Pitt, and Louisville) could get them a 2 seed.


Other Bubble teams that need to win to remain alive -

Kentucky vs. Ole Miss
USC vs. Cal
Michigan vs. Iowa
Penn St. vs. Indiana
Maryland vs. North Carolina St.
Florida vs. Arkansas
New Mexico vs. Wyoming

I wouldn't classify these as "must wins", but a loss could serioiusly damper their at-large chances.

Boston College vs. Virginia
Dayton vs. Richmond