Team that helped itself most yesterday: Florida
The Gators took control of the SEC East by winning against Vanderbilt and watching Kentucky surprisingly go down at Ole Miss. Now, with a home game against Kentucky Saturday and with road wins already against Georgia and Tennessee, the Gators are in the best position to win the SEC East though Tennessee might have something to say about that once Bruce Pearl returns from his suspension.
Team that harmed itself most yesterday: Boston College
Either North Carolina has suddenly become the usual North Carolina (fat chance) or Boston College has some serious problems (a lot more likely). Losing, while not helpful, wouldn't have been terrible. Losing at home by 32 is a disaster that will remain as a black mark on the tourney resume all season. Considering it was a home game, its embarrassing that the outcome wasn't in doubt after the first 10 minutes.
Other notable wins:
Illinois over Penn St. - The Illini got the ship-righting win they needed (even if only a few people managed to get there because of the storm) and dropped potential bubble rival Penn St. a few pegs as well.
Wisconsin over Purdue – As expected, the home court in Madison helped carry Wisconsin to a slow-paced (under 60 possessions) win over the road-standing Boilermakers
Other notable losses: Kentucky to Ole Miss
Kentucky is in no danger of missing the NCAA Tournament, but they are doing damage to their seeding with the continued road losses to weaker SEC West foes. Also troubling is their inability to win on the road consistently. If that continues, the Wildcats could easily find themselves closer to the 6 or 7 line than the 3 or 4 line with a chance to reach a 2 that everyone expected this season.
Preview of tonight’s games after the jump
Game of the Night Tonight: Connecticut vs Syracuse
The Orange try to snap their four game losing streak in Storrs against UConn. This might be the best chance the Orange have for an elite road win. If Kemba Walker is cold again like he has been recently, the Orange zone could suffocate the rest of the Huskies despite its recent struggles.
Team that can help itself most tonight: Maryland
The Terrapins have no real quality wins. Beating Duke, who they usually match-up well against would qualify and likely boost Maryland onto the right side of the bubble in a weak ACC.
Team that can harm itself most tonight: UCLA
The Bruins host USC trying to avoid being swept. Considering UCLA needs to stockpile all the wins it can ahead of the final three game stretch (against Arizona and then the Washington road trip), a loss here would be disastrous.
Other notable games tonight:
Villanova vs Marquette
Oklahoma St. vs Missouri
Colorado St. vs San Diego St.
Kansas St. vs Nebraska
Indiana vs Minnesota
Iowa vs Michigan St.
Arkansas vs Georgia
St. John's vs Rutgers
NC State vs Virginia Tech
West Virginia vs Seton Hall
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