Auburn hurts its No. 1 seed hopes
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At the similar day Auburn was once venerated by means of the NCAA males’s basketball variety committee with a No. 1 seed within the best 16-seed divulge Saturday, the Tigers suffered simply their 3rd lack of the season to loosen their stranglehold at the No. 1 seed line with Variety Sunday 3 weeks from now.
Auburn misplaced a 63-62 nail-biter at Florida, regardless of 28 issues from freshman standout Jabari Smith. That is an end result that would possibly not put the Tigers' superb profile in jeopardy of falling to the No. 2 seed line – but. The Gators' dissatisfied most probably resuscitates their once-depleted NCAA Match at-large bid probabilities and strikes them nearer to the bubble.
We are at the house stretch of the 2021-22 season, with the general 3 weeks earlier than the NCAA Match enjoying a pivotal section in seeding all 68 groups.
That is very true for bubble groups, which is able to vault into the projected box with a signature victory or torpedo to the fallacious aspect of the bubble with a setback. Such was once the case for bubble groups Notre Dame, Kansas State and Oklahoma – groups that misplaced essential video games to place harm their tourney résumés. Bubble workforce Iowa, however, were given simply what it wanted in dispatching Ohio State at the street in Giant Ten motion.
A take a look at the winners and losers from Saturday's motion:
Texas Tech. The Pink Raiders (21-6, 10-4 Giant 12) were given their 2d dose of revenge over former trainer Chris Beard, this time beating Texas 61-55 at the street. That is some other Quadrant 1 victory to bulk up the profile on an afternoon when Texas Tech was once venerated with a No. 3 seed by means of the choice committee within the best 16 divulge.
Kentucky. The Wildcats (22-5, 11-3 SEC) are enjoying their best possible basketball right here in mid-February because the postseason nears, caring for industry at house for a 90-81 victory over Alabama. Kellan Grady tired seven three-pointers within the win, illuminating the weaponry that trainer John Calipari has in his arsenal. That major weapon, after all, is Oscar Tshiebwe (21 issues, 14 rebounds), who continues to have an All-American-caliber marketing campaign.
Illinois. The Preventing Illini (19-7, 12-4 Giant Ten) were given 27 issues from All-American large guy Kofi Cockburn to lend a hand gas a 79-74 win at the street vs. Michigan State, its 2d victory over the Spartans this 12 months. The choice committee seeded Illinois at No. 3 within the best 16 divulge and this Quadrant 1 win will simplest construct the seeding case additional.
Iowa. The Hawkeyes (17-7, 7-7 Giant Ten) picked up the marquee win it was once on the lookout for so as to add to its event portfolio, shaking off Ohio State 75-62. The street win catapults Iowa from a No. 11 seed to a more secure No. 10 seed vary. For a Giant Ten bubble workforce, there are abundant alternatives to give a boost to credentials and Iowa surely seized that chance Saturday.
Losers
Auburn. The Tigers (24-3, 12-2 SEC) just about got here again however fell to Florida 63-62. The loss does not transfer Auburn out of first position in a crowded SEC, nevertheless it tightens up the league race with a chasing Kentucky squad on its heels. Trainer Bruce Pearl's workforce has seven Quadrant 1 wins however will most probably want to upload a couple of extra if it desires to out-duel the chasing No. 2 seeds for a best seed on Variety Sunday.
Notre Dame. In a combat between two ACC bubble groups, the Preventing Irish (19-8, 12-4 ACC) got here up quick in a 79-74 loss to Wake Wooded area. In spite of being close to the highest of the ACC name race – a space the committee would possibly not read about – Notre Dame's general frame of labor is not getting it carried out and helps to keep it close to the harmful No. 11 seed territory. There have been simplest two Quadrant 1 wins at the résumé and Saturday served as a misplaced likelihood to modify that.
Kansas State. The Wildcats (14-11, 6-7 Giant 12) misplaced in time beyond regulation 82-79 to Oklahoma State and extra harm its at-large bid hopes. KSU began the day as a play-in No. 12 seed in the newest bracketology. Saturday's end result nearly veritably will shove this workforce onto the fallacious aspect of the bubble and out of the projected box. A NET rating within the 60s and non-conference power of time table that ranks 295th within the nation is outweighing the 4 Quadrant 1 wins on KSU's profile.
Oklahoma. The Sooners (14-13, 4-10 Giant 12) began the day at the outdoor taking a look in as one of the vital "first 4 out" in the newest bracket projection. And following a 75-54 loss to Iowa State, now Oklahoma is also out of rivalry for an at-large bid for just right. Despite the fact that the committee would possibly not take note of an unpleasant convention file, there simply don't seem to be sufficient general wins at the profile right here because it stands.
Apply faculty basketball reporter Scott Gleeson on Twitter @ScottMGleeson.
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