It wasn't easy, but Penn State will take it. If they win @Iowa to close out the season they are a lock. If they lose, then they'll probably need a win in the Big 10 Quarters to secure themselves.
Just when we thought Arizona had turned things around and looked good to make the tournament, they go ahead and lose 4 straight. They definitely cannot afford a loss to Stanford in the finale. Even if they win that game, if they lose in the quarterfinals of the Pac 10 tournament, I can see them not making the field.
Two other teams who lost tonight that would be behooved to win their last game - Dayton (vs. Duquesne) and South Carolina (@ Georgia). A loss by either would put them in serious trouble.
How the hell did Stanford beat Arizona State?
Lastly, Providence was unable to score the huge win they needed, as Villanova won at home yet again. They now fall to only 5-12 versus the top 100, and 1-8 versus the top 50. At this point, you can't put Providence in, but they still have a shot.
Believe it or not, If WVU loses to Louisville and Syracuse loses at Marquette, Providence would win the tiebreak and get the 6 seed (All 3 teams are 1-1 against each other and Providence owns the best Big East win, beating Pitt). In a 2 way tie with WVU, Providence would lose and fall to the 8 seed. In a 2 way tie with Syracuse, they would win and be the 7 seed.
Assuming Cincinnati defeats Seton Hall, Notre Dame defeats St. John's, and Georgetown defeats DePaul (all 3 at home), that would pit Providence against either 9th seeded Cincinnati, 10th seeded Notre Dame, or 11 seeded Georgetown (unless a 14/15/16 seed wins).
So the question is: Is a win against one of those teams, all of whom will likely miss the NCAA tournament, enough to get Providence in? Or, do they have to go on and defeat the 1, 2, or 3 seed in the next round (UConn, Louisville, Pitt)?
This one seems like one of those resumes that we'll still be arguing about on Selection Sunday. Personally, I think they need to knock off one of the big dogs and make it into the semis to get a bid.
We could see the Big East with only 7 teams in the dance and the Big 10 getting 8 bids (they have 9 teams in contention right now). That would be something.
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"How the hell did Stanford beat Arizona State?"
ReplyDeleteI really think that any of the top nine teams in the Pac 10 could win the conference tourney. I don't think the top is that strong or that there is that much difference between some of these teams. I still wouldn't be surprised if someone like WSU or USC won the thing...
Anyway, good blog, keep it up!
I agree, WSU has been playing well lately. And on a neutral court, it's anybodies game.
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