Big 12 bubble teams have chances to state case
against Iowa State, Kansas and West Virginia coming up, but can’t afford any slip-ups against the lower-end Big 12 teams.
Kansas State (16-10, 5-8) missed a big chance with its loss to Iowa State, though it does have a road win over Baylor. The Wildcats don’t have any more games against the Big 12’s top three, so they have a chance to make a late-season run.
Texas Tech (17-9, 5-8) appeared headed toward the NIT at best just a week ago, but Monday night’s win over Baylor provides bubble life. Road games against West Virginia, Oklahoma State and Kansas State could make the difference in the Red Raiders’ season. ON THE RISE
Michigan: The Wolverines (179, 7-6 Big Ten) had a good week last week by beating rival Michigan State at home and Indiana on the road, then took a bigger step toward the NCAA Tournament on Thursday by beating No. 11 Wisconsin. Minnesota, another Big Ten team on the bubble, is up next Sunday.
Arkansas: In need of a resume-boosting win, the Razorbacks (19-7, 8-5 SEC) came through Wednesday by knocking off No. 21 South Carolina in Columbia. A road win over a Top 25 team helps offset some of the slip-ups earlier in the season.
Seton Hall: The Pirates (16-9, 6-7 Big East) were on the wrong side of the ledger last week after losing to St. John’s. A win over No. 23 Creighton puts them back in the mix, with opportunities against No. 2 Villanova and No. 24 Butler coming up.
Illinois State: The Redbirds (225, 14-1 MVC) took a big hit with a 41-point loss to Wichita State. They’ve responded with four straight wins, including a one-point victory over Missouri State on Wednesday. FADING HOPES
Rhode Island: Scoring 43 points in a loss to Fordham is not going to look good for Rhody (16-9, 8-5 A10), even with a win over current No. 18 Cincinnati on the resume.
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets (15-11, 6-7 ACC) missed a chance to help themselves by losing to short-handed Miami on Wednesday. The ACC offers plenty of opportunities to pick up marquee wins, so there’s still time.
Indiana: If the injury-ravaged Hoosiers (15-12, 5-9 Big Ten) had not already popped their NCAA bubble, three straight losses — including Wednesday to Minnesota — will likely finish them off.
Memphis: A surprising loss to Temple does not bode well for the Tigers (18-7, 9-4 AAC), who have two losses to teams outside the RPI top 100. figure out how a team that received 23 of 27 first-place votes in that preseason poll is 15-10 overall and 7-6 in conference, a mostly healthy rivalry attempts to avoid a defibrillator to maintain its intensity.
It has until now sparked countless jabs, some entertaining and creative, some not, between student sections, programs in UNLV and San Diego State that recruit against each other and still exist for Menzies close ties to the Aztecs that date to those days when Cher was more of a draw than the home team.
“Obviously, given how successful both programs have been over time, it’s a benefit for the conference nationally when UNLV and San Diego State perform well,” Menzies said. “No question, I want us to the point where we are competing with those guys for championships. Whether it’s against good friends like they are or people you don’t know and have no relationship with, that’s a major reason we are in this profession — to win.
“It has been proven in the past that both teams being good is good for business.” The conference needs it. One of many things. Contact columnist Ed Graney at egraney@reviewjournal. com or 702-383-4618. He can be a heard on “Seat and Ed” on Fox Sports 1340 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Follow @edgraney on Twitter.