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Here's a quick look at Thursday's bracket winners and losers.
- Georgetown, Kansas, Louisville and Michigan all won to keep their hopes of earning a top seed alive.
- Illinois and Iowa State solidified their places with significant wins over Minnesota and Oklahomarespectively.
- Tennessee and N.C. State will find themselves in games of significance tomorrow, as the Vols face fellow SEC bubble team Alabama and the Wolfpack take on a Virginia team that's on the verge of moving into the field.
- The Golden Gophers and Sooners hang around despite defeats, as do Villanova and California. The Golden Bears lost to Utah in overtime and will face an agonizing weekend as a result.
- Arizona State, however, really damaged its bid chances with a loss against UCLA. Xavier's hopes ended with an A-10 first round loss to St. Joseph's. Arkansas will also be on the outside looking in after Vanderbilt defeated them.
- The most heartbreaking loss of the night was Baylor's failed rally against Oklahoma State which almost certainly means the Bears will be headed to the NIT.
- Maryland stayed alive with a win over Wake Forest, setting up a third game with Duke on Friday. Iowa remains in the picture after eliminating Northwestern from the Big Ten tourney. Also, UMass got past George Washington to keep its hopes flickering.
After this updated bracket and rundown -- now with noticeable changes -- I'll have a look at what lies ahead for Friday.
For a more detailed look at the picture near the cut line, check out my Last Four In and First Four Out post from last night.
| (1) EAST Washington (Thu/Sat) | (2) MIDWEST Indianapolis (Fri/Sun) |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (Fri/Sun) | Dayton (Fri/Sun) | ||
| 1 | Duke | 1 | Indiana (Big Ten) |
| 16 | Southern (SWAC) | 16 | Morgan State or LIBERTY |
| 8 | Missouri | 8 | San Diego State |
| ↑ 9 | Wichita State | 9 | BELMONT (OVC) |
| San Jose (Thu/Sat) | Kansas City (Fri/Sun) | ||
| ↑ 55 5 | Syracuse | ↑ 5 | Oklahoma State |
| ↓ 12 | Minnesota | 12 | La Salle |
| 4 | Kansas State | ↓ 4 | Marquette |
| 13 | SOUTH DAKOTA STATE (Summit) | 13 | VALPARAISO (Horizon) |
| Dayton (Fri/Sun) | Austin (Fri/Sun) | ||
| ↓ 6 | Pittsburgh | ↑ 6 | UCLA (Pac-12) |
| 11 | St. Mary's or Tennessee | ↑ 11 | Akron (MAC) |
| 3 | Ohio State | 3 | Florida (SEC) |
| 14 | DAVIDSON (Southern) | 14 | FLORIDA GULF COAST (A-Sun) |
| Salt Lake City (Thu/Sat) | Lexington (Thu/Sat) | ||
| 7 | VCU | 7 | Notre Dame |
| ↓ 10 | Colorado | 10 | Illinois |
| 2 | New Mexico (MWC) | 2 | Miami (ACC) |
| 15 | Montana (Big Sky) | 15 | IONA (MAAC) |
| (4) SOUTH Arlington (Fri/Sun) | (3) WEST Los Angeles (Thu/Sat) |
||
| Lexington (Thu/Sat) | Salt Lake City (Thu/Sat) | ||
| 1 | Louisville | 1 | GONZAGA (WCC) |
| 16 | JAMES MADISON or LONG ISLAND U | 16 | WESTERN KENTUCKY (Sun Belt) |
| 8 | Oregon | 8 | North Carolina |
| 9 | N.C. State | ↑ 9 | Temple |
| San Jose (Thu/Sat) | Austin (Fri/Sun) | ||
| ↑ 5 | UNLV | 5 | Wisconsin |
| 12 | Oklahoma | ↓ 12 | Villanova |
| 4 | Saint Louis (A-10) | 4 | Arizona |
| 13 | BUCKNELL (Patriot) | *13 | New Mexico State (WAC) |
| Auburn Hills (Thu/Sat) | Auburn Hills (Thu/Sat) | ||
| 6 | CREIGHTON (MVC) | ↓ 6 | Butler |
| 11 | Iowa State | 11 | Boise State or Kentucky |
| ↑ 3 | Michigan State | 3 | Michigan |
| 14 | HARVARD (Ivy) | 14 | Stephen F. Austin (Southland) |
| Kansas City (Fri/Sun) | Philadelphia (Fri/Sun) | ||
| ↓ 7 | Memphis (C-USA) | 7 | Colorado State |
| ↑ 10 | Cincinnati | 10 | California |
| 2 | Kansas (Big 12) | 2 | Georgetown (Big East) |
| 15 | Long Beach State (Big West) | 15 | Vermont (AmEast) |
| FIRST FOUR (Dayton) | |||
| Tuesday: To Lexington | Tuesday: To Auburn Hills | ||
| 16 | JAMES MADISON (CAA) | 11 | Boise State |
| 16 | LONG ISLAND U (NEC) | 11 | Kentucky |
| Wednesday: To Dayton | Wednesday: To Dayton |
||
| *16 | Morgan State (MEAC) | 11 | St. Mary's |
| 16 | LIBERTY (Big South) | 11 | Tennessee |
| BIDS BY CONFERENCE | LAST FOUR BYES | ARRIVALS | DEPARTURES |
| Big East: 8 | Villanova | Morgan State | Hampton |
| Big Ten: 7 | Oklahoma | New Mexico State | Louisiana Tech |
| A-10: 5 | California | ||
| Big 12: 5 | La Salle | ||
| MWC: 5 |
LAST FOUR IN | ||
| Pac-12: 5 |
Kentucky | ||
| ACC: 4 | St. Mary's | ||
| SEC: 4 | Boise State | ||
| MVC: 2 | Tennessee | PROCEDURAL | MOVES |
| WCC: 2 | FIRST FOUR OUT | Illinois | 9 down to 10 |
| 1-Bid Conferences: 21 | Virginia | Wichita State | 10 up to 9 |
| Middle Tennessee | Iowa State | 10 down to 11 | |
| Mississippi | California | 11 up to 10 | |
| Alabama | Villanova | 11 down to 12 | |
| NEXT FOUR OUT | Boise State, Kentucky | 12 up to 11 | |
| Southern Mississippi | Oklahoma | 11 down to 12 | |
| Baylor | St. Mary's, Tennessee | 12 up to 11 | |
| Iowa | Minnesota | 11 down to 12 | |
| Maryland | Akron | 12 up to 11 |
Also considered (in order): UMass, Arizona State, Louisiana Tech
Once again, I haven't listed all of Friday's games, so if this list isn't enough basketball for you or you want more details on where to find some of these games, head to Matt's College Sports on TV Website.
ACC Quarterfinals
All Games on ACC Network or ESPN2 and ESPN3D (Check Your Local Listings)
Boston College vs. Miami, 12 p.m. ET
The Hurricanes still have a shot at a top seed, though a No. 2 is more likely, but they'll have to get past the Eagles -- a team that fell by one to the Canes in Chestnut Hill -- to keep those dreams alive.
N.C. State vs. Virginia, approx. 2:30 p.m. ET
While the Wolfpack will be OK with a loss (though they'll take a seed hit), the Cavaliers absolutely need this one.
Maryland vs. Duke, 7 p.m. ET
The Terrapins will get the chance to beat the Blue Devils for the second time this season, and given the tournament schedule, they may just get some support from the fans in Carolina blue.
Florida State vs. North Carolina, approx. 9:30 p.m. ET
The next hurdle the Seminoles will face in their quest to repeat as ACC champions: a hot Tar Heel team that would like to get a third crack at Duke.
A-10 Quarterfinals
All Games on Comcast and Other Regional Sports Outlets (Check Your Local Listings)
Charlotte vs. Saint Louis, 12 p.m. ET
The 49ers won in bizarre circumstances on Thursday and will be challenged by a Billikens team that has a legitimate shot at a top four seed with an A-10 Tournament crown.
Butler vs. La Salle, approx. 2:30 p.m. ET
The Explorers could really use a second win over the Bulldogs to move away from the cut line.
St. Joseph's vs. VCU, 6:30 p.m. ET
Might the Hawks be able to be a surprise auto bid winner out of the A-10? The Rams will look to stop them and move into a position to better their seed with a title run.
UMass vs. Temple, approx. 9 p.m. ET
The Owls' final Atlantic 10 Tournament run opens with a classic contest against the Minutemen -- The Bill Cosby Bowl. Temple won a thriller in Amherst by one, as part of an incredible run of five one-point games in a row.
Big 12 Semifinals
Both Games on Big 12 Network or ESPNU (Check Your Local Listings)
Iowa State vs. Kansas, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Cyclones all but locked up a bid with Thursday's win over Oklahoma, but you can bet they'll relish this third shot at the Jayhawks.
Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State, approx. 10:00 p.m. ET
The winner of this one has an excellent shot of ending up as a No. 4 seed on Sunday.
Big East Semifinals
Both Games on ESPN
Syracuse vs. Georgetown, 7 p.m. ET
The Hoyas look to keep on track for a No. 1 seed, while the Orange can get back in the protected seed race with a win over their archrivals.
Notre Dame vs. Louisville, approx. 9:30 p.m. ET
The Fighting Irish knocked off Marquette to set up a third meeting with the Cardinals, who will look to keep their own hopes for a No. 1 seed alive.
Big Ten Quarterfinals
Illinois vs. Indiana, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The Hoosiers should be a top seed even without a Big Ten Tournament title, but Illinois could use another quality win for seeding puposes.
Michigan vs. Wisconsin, approx. 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
A day after avenging a shocking loss to Penn State, the Wolverines will try to best a Badger team that won an overtime thriller in Madison back on February 9th. Both teams have their sights set on a protected seed.
Nebraska vs. Ohio State, 6:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
The Cornhuskers, who eliminated a Purdue team that could have been an upset threat, face a far bigger challenge tonight against a Buckeye team that's aiming for a No. 2 seed.
Iowa vs. Michigan State, approx. 9 p.m. ET (BTN)
The Hawkeyes didn't get tripped up by Northwestern last night, and they may have a shot against the Spartans on a neutral court, considering Michigan State won by just three in Iowa City. However, that game was in early January.
C-USA Semifinals
Both Games on CBS Sports Network
UTEP vs. Southern Mississippi, 4 p.m. ET
The Golden Eagles must keep winning, and in today's semifinal, they'll take on a Miner team that lost an ugly 45-39 game in Hattiesburg.
Tulsa vs. Memphis, approx. 6:30 p.m. ET
The regular season champs are on course to earn a potentially seed-boosting double championship, but they'll have to get past the hosts first.
MWC Semifinals
Both Games on CBS Sports Network
San Diego State vs. New Mexico, 9 p.m. ET
These two split their season series, with the Aztecs holding the Lobos to 34 points in a 21-point win at Viejas Arena. New Mexico is still in the hunt for a two seed, but that only lasts if they keep winning.
UNLV vs. Colorado State, approx. 11:30 p.m. ET
The No. 2 and 3 seeds also split, with each winning a close contest at home. The Rams may again be without guard Dorian Green who missed Wednesday's close quarterfinal win over Fresno State with an injured ankle. His availability will be a gametime decision.
Pac-12 Semifinals
Arizona vs. UCLA, 9 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network)
The Bruins swept the Wildcats during the regular season, so expect Arizona to be motivated. They'll also have the crowd's backing based on their quarterfinal win over Colorado.
Utah vs. Oregon, approx. 11:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The Utes will look to pull off their third upset in a row, which would give them a shot at a surprise auto bid on Saturday night.
SEC Quarterfinals
LSU vs. Florida, 1 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
The Gators beat the Tigers in their second SEC game of the season, back when they were obliterating everyone. Florida needs three wins this weekend to have a shot at returning to the No. 2 line.
Tennessee vs. Alabama, approx. 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
A straight elimination game, with hopes for both an SEC title and NCAA bid on the line. Each team won its home game in the regular season series.
Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network or ESPNU, Check Your Local Listings)
The Commodores burst Arkansas' bubble last night. Might they do the same to the Wildcats? Before you laugh, Kentucky won the teams' two meetings by a total of six points.
Missouri vs. Mississippi, approx. 10 p.m. ET (SEC Network or ESPNU, Check Your Local Listings)
Yet another rubber match between teams which split during the regular season. The Rebels need a win over the NCAA-bound Tigers to stay in the hunt.
I'll again have updates throughout the day and a fully-updated bracket on Saturday morning.