QT: Wild Saturday, Sunday’s Bracket Impact Games

Another tumultuous Saturday in college hoops.  Desperate for more victories, West Virginia and Wisconsin both lost a home.  Kentucky may have punched its ticket by sweeping Tennessee.  Clemson dropped a can’t-lose game at Louisville, a third Quad 4 loss. Utah State rallied and put away a critical home game against Nevada.  Illinois stumbled late at Indiana and missed a golden opportunity to firm up its seeding potential.

The list could go on-an-on …

Oh, and the Selection Committee revealed its initial Top 16, with Kansas fourth (beyond Purdue and Houston) despite having 12 (now 13) Quad 1 victories.  Things that make you go, hmm.  Purdue hosts fading Ohio State today and closes with three of four at home; the Boilermakers lone road trip is to Wisconsin.

Ahead to Sunday’s Bracket Impact Games:

North Carolina at NC State – If North Carolina is going to make a late push, it starts today in Raleigh.  NC State’s bracket status is okay this morning, but a late slide would not be advised.

QT: Saturday’s 10 biggest Bracket Impact Games

It would take too many words to cover every potential Bracket Impact Game on Saturday.

So we’ll stick with the biggest 10.  Here we go …

Baylor at Kansas – Baylor improves its potential for a No. 1 seed with a win in Lawrence.  Kansas is currently one spot ahead of Purdue for the Midwest region, and KU would love to go through Des Moines and Kansas City.

Seton Hall at Connecticut – A strong finish would put Connecticut back in the 2-3 line discussion.  Seton Hall trying for a season sweep of the Huskies and gain a huge bubble boost in the process.

Illinois at Indiana – Illinois could use another “splash” on its resume (something more current than December).  This would qualify.  Indiana still has hopes of earning a three-seed.

QT: Carolina’s woes, West Virginia back on bubble

Fresh off a 20-point home victory against Clemson, North Carolina failed to build any momentum Monday against Miami in Chapel Hill, dropping an 80-72 decision to the Hurricanes.  The defeat leaves UNC in a tenuous position for the stretch run.  While the Tar Heels boast an overall strong schedule and lack a “bad” loss, they are 0-9 vs. Quad 1 opponents this morning and own exactly one win (NC State) over a team currently projected to earn an at-large bid.

If there’s any Valentine’s Day love available it’s this: UNC plays at NC State this Sunday.  They also host Virginia and Duke ahead of the ACC tournament.

A few miles to the north in Morgantown, West Virginia finds itself back on the bubble after Monday’s loss at Baylor.  Yes, the Big 12 is a nightly gauntlet, but at 15-11 overall, the Mountaineers’ margin for error is shrinking.  They are just 2-7 in true road games with remaining trips to Kansas and Iowa State.  That puts a premium on home games against Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Kansas State.

Tuesday’s Bracket Impact Games:

QT: Miami romps, Tuesday’s Bracket Impact Games

Miami romped past Duke in Coral Gables – dominating from start to finish.  It improved the Hurricanes to 6-4 vs. Quad 1 opponents.  Both the NET and predictive metrics are not necessarily aligned with Miami’s actual profile.  In terms of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) race, the Canes’ have a favorable schedule ahead.  Their two remaining road trips are North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Kansas outlasted Texas in Lawrence.  Those two reconnect in Austin to close the Big 12 regular season.  Both remain in the No. 1 seed discussion.  KU now has 10 wins against Quad 1.  That’s hard to miss on a team sheet.

Tuesday’s Bracket Impact Games:

QT: Arkansas, Nevada, UK win bubble games + BIG’s

Arkansas beat Texas AM.  Nevada toppled San Diego State.  Important home victories for both on Tuesday.  Kentucky earned a must win at Ole Miss.  West Virginia dropped a close game at TCU.  No harm except this: WVU is going to have to start winning at a greater clip down the stretch.  It’s hard for teams to back their way into the NCAA field via a stockpile of “good” losses.

Elsewhere: Kansas exacted revenge on Kansas State.  Alabama took out Saturday’s frustration at Oklahoma by obliterating Vanderbilt.  Clemson lost an ugly game at Boston College, creating a much more anxious month for the Tigers.

Historically, the Selection Committee has valued quality wins more than bad losses (especially a singularly poor game).  Iowa hopes that trend continues.  With a victory over Northwestern, the Hawkeyes are 5-5 vs. Quad 1 and 8-7 vs. Quads 1 and 2 overall.  The blip against Eastern Illinois is still sitting there, but that blip is losing relevance as the season progresses.