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Bubble Watch 3/14

With Xavier picking up a big win last night, what else can go right for the Muskies tonight (other than winning again)?

By Bryan D
John E. Sokolowski-US PRESSWIRE

Obviously the big result last night was X getting a much needed 3 point win over Marquette, likely sealing Xavier's tournament invite while finally putting an end to whatever hope Golden Eagle fans were harboring. Elsewhere, in pastures familiar to X fans, St. Joe's and Dayton both won, setting up a very interesting matchup between them in the A-10 semifinal, while Stanford knocked off Arizona State to basically clinch their bid, as well. Now on to who you need to be rooting for and against tonight.

12 Noon Virginia vs Florida State*

The Seminoles are still clinging to life for an at-large bid, and getting past the Cavaliers would be a huge boost to their resume come Sunday. It would give them 20 wins, including 7 against the RPI top 100 and definitely be their most impressive win of the season.

2 PM North Carolina vs Pitt*

Pitt took a big step by demolishing Wake Forest yesterday, but taking down UNC would add some polish to the resume. It should be noted that the Panthers have only one win in the RPI top 50, but only have one double digit loss on the season. In a season of near misses, they need to make this one count to confirm their bid.

2 PM St. Joeseph's* vs Dayton*

Both teams need this game for their fans to have any type of calm heading into Sunday. They have both done what they needed to in the conference tournament up to this point, but are the loser of this will be furiously pulling for other bubbles to pop before the selection show.

2 PM Ohio State vs Nebraska*

Nebraska rides a 4 game winning streak into this game, the most recent of which was over Wisconsin, and may have been enough to see them through. However, adding a second win over Ohio State would pretty much sew it up for the Huskers.

3 PM South Carolina vs Tennessee*

The Gamecocks basically ended Arkansas' chances at an at-large yesterday, as losing to them is pretty much resume poison. Tennessee will hope to avoid damaging their chances today. It is also worth noting that even a Tennessee win helps X since we beat them earlier in the season.

6:30 PM Southern Miss vs Louisiana Tech

This Conference USA semifinal is basically the first of two must win games for these bubble dwellers. The fates have conspired to serve up Middle Tennessee and Tulsa as their potential opponents for the final, a loss which would probably knock whoever wins this off the bubble. Southern Miss is projected a bit more favorably than Tech, but is Conference USA really a two bid league? I think not.

6:30 PM Wisconsin vs Minnesota*

The Gophers managed to pull out of meltdown mode to beat Penn State yesterday, adding their impressive 5th win away from home this year. With the biggest scalp they've taken outside of the Land of a Thousand Lakes this season being Richmond? Northwestern? I give up. Anyway, beating Bo Ryan's red hot Badgers, winners of 8 of their last 9, is a big hill to climb.

9:30 PM Creighton vs Xavier*

Yes, Musketeer nation is resting a little easier after last night's win, but a second win over the Bluejays would hush even the most ardent opposition. Both the meetings between these two were wonderful watches during the regular season, but you don't really need any more incentive to tune in to this one, do you?