Around the NCAA - February 18, 2011

Thursday night's light schedule meant no major developments in the world of brackets.  Penn State may have played their way back in the conversation, but a 1-7 road record (0-7 against RPI top 100) isn't usually what the committee chooses.  Minnesota, by losing to Penn State, continues to make their own life difficult.  Safe for now, but one to watch.  Richmond's 20 point loss at Temple was not much of a help to the Spiders.  That is how they reward me for finally moving them out of the play-in game.  Alabama and Gonzaga won games they should have and needed to, keeping themselves alive as other teams tumble.  Clemson probably tumbled right into hosting a first-round NIT game.

The Weekend's Big Games

• VCU at Wichita State - with the soft bubble, both teams could use this one to impress
• Connecticut at Lousiville - a rare Friday tussle, as the Big East teams continue to play the seed shuffle
• Pittsburgh at St. John's - the Big East's best against the red-hot Red Storm.
• Notre Dame at West Virginia - a regular Saturday tussle, as Big East teams continue to play the seed shuffle
• Georgia at Tennessee - the Bulldogs are suddenly sliding, potentially right out of the bracket
• Texas at Nebraska - this one interests me due to the home prowess of the Cornhuskers
• Boston College at North Carolina - the Eagles could use another good win
• Missouri State at Valparaiso - you never know what the committee will think of these Bracket-Buster games
• Washington at Arizona - the Huskies try to tighten the race in the PAC-10
• UNLV at Colorado State - I am a bit higher on the Rams than most right now, but securing 3rd place in the Mountain West should be worth something?
• George Mason at Northern Iowa - George Mason is last year's Northern Iowa
• Illinois at Michigan State - almost a must-win for Sparty
• Texas A&M at Oklahoma State - the Cowboys try to remain relevant
• Ohio State at Purdue - can the Boilers make a case for a #2 this week?
• Cleveland State at Old Dominion - another Bracket-Buster beauty
• Penn State at Wisconsin - this is the beast chance for a resume boosting road win for the Nittany Lions