Saturday's bubble: Who to hate?

The bubble has not been kind to FSU for two straight nights as Oregon and Providence have both won big road games against short-handed teams. Still, the Noles are in Bracket Matrix's first four out, and Team Rankings gives FSU a 37% chance of earning at at-large. That number could see a big swing, depending on what happens today.

11 AM

UMass at Dayton: The most important game of the day is the first to tip. UMass is FSU's best win as they have an RPI of 12. Dayton is on the s-curve at the same spot as FSU. Jerry Palm has them 1st team out.

Noon

Miami at NC State: The Wolfpack probably won't do enough to get an at-large, but to be safe, Canes.

Vanderbilt at Tennessee: Another massively important game as the Vols are 2 spots ahead of FSU at Bracket Matrix. And even though I once got dunked on by Will Purdue - go Dores!

1:30-2:00

Texas Tech at Baylor: The Bears dropped their last game against Texas and are now teetering toward the bubble. Losing at home to Texas Tech would be a BAD loss.

Mississippi State at Missouri: Mizzou is in First Four territory entering this game. They'll be hard pressed to improve their resume by beating a bad team at home, but a loss would be crushing.

Pitt at Notre Dame: Pitt finishes with three losable games, beginning with a trip to South Bend. They might need to lose all three to fall out of the tourney, and they might as well get started today.

Colorado at Utah: see Pitt. Go Utes.

Richmond at Rhode Island: Richmond most likely fell behind FSU after their loss to George Mason. Losing at URI would officially put them out of their misery.

3:00

St. Joe's at St. Bonaventure: The A-10 has two teams that are in, but could easily fall out with a weak finish. St. Joe's is one of those teams, so today we're all Bonnies.

4:00

LSU at Florida: LSU needs a big win to overcome a couple of bad losses which are haunting them. I hate to say it, but go gata.

Boston College at Wake Forest: Just kidding! Bzdelik for life!

Arkansas at Georgia: The Hogs got themselves on the bubble by beating Kentucky (twice), and now we need the Dogs to knock them back off.

BYU at San Diego: Another massive game. It's a down year in the WCC and a 1-bid dance is possible. For that to happen the Toreros need to pull the upset at the Slim Gym.

Oregon at USC: Oregon was gifted a win at UCLA when the Bruins suspended their best two players for a game. Send ‘em packing, Coach Enfield!

5:00

Creighton at Xavier: The Muskateers are ahead of FSU. If they beat Creighton, that won't change before Selection Sunday. We need a big game from Dougy McBuckets.

Northwestern at Nebraska: Nebraska has been one of the great feel-good stories of the basketball season. I hope they get stomped.

6:00

Minnesota at Michigan: Not only do we need Michigan for strength of schedule, but Jerry Palm currently has the Gophers in the First Four.

Cal at Arizona State: Like FSU, Cal looked like a lock in January. A loss here and FSU might pass them with a win against Georgia Tech.

9:00-10:00

Kansas at Oklahoma State: A Cowboys win would cement their bid. I don't want them to cement their bid.

Gonzaga at St. Mary's: As many of you know, the Gaels are my "other" team. If you think I'm rooting against them on senior night in a game I'll be attending, then you're stoned. However, a win over the Zags and SMC is back on the bubble.