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Tuesday’s Pregame Shootaround: Plenty of important bubble matchups

TCU v Iowa State

AMES, IA - FEBRUARY 8: Melvin Ejim #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones tips the ball in for two points in the first half of play against TCU at Hilton Coliseum on February 8, 2014 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)

David Purdy

GAME OF THE NIGHT: No. 16 Iowa State at Baylor, 7:00 p.m.

Baylor is coming on strong of late, having won five of their last six games after starting the Big 12 season by losing eight of their first ten games. They are probably on the right side of the bubble at this point, but a win over a top ten RPI team like Iowa State would come close to locking up a bid for Scott Drew’s team. The interesting matchup here is going to be on the front line. Baylor’s got a ton of size with Isaiah Austin and Cory Jefferson, but Georges Niang and Melvin Ejim are going to be difficult matchups given their perimeter ability.

THE OTHER GAME OF THE NIGHT: Arizona State at Oregon, 11:00 p.m.

The Sun Devils and the Ducks are both on the verge of making the NCAA tournament this year. Both teams have made a late run which has gotten them into a positive position as we get towards the end of the Pac-12 regular season. Oregon has won five straight games and will be looking to avenge its road sweep in the state of Arizona as they close out with the Sun Devils and Wildcats at home. Arizona State, meanwhile, should feel alright, but at 2-5 on the road in the Pac-12, a road win against a good team never hurts the old resume.

WHO’S GETTING UPSET?: No. 12 Michigan at Illinois, 7:00 p.m.

Illinois may not be in position to compete for an at-large NCAA Tournament bid, but John Groce has the Illini playing tremendous defense in the later part of the season. Illinois has held four consecutive opponents under 50 points -- including Saturday’s stunning road win at Michigan State -- and the Illini will look to do the same against Michigan. If Michigan struggles to get perimeter production from Nik Stauskas they could be in trouble on the road here.

MID-MAJOR GAME OF THE DAY: Georgia State at Arkansas State, 8:05 p.m.

Georgia State is 15-1 in the Sun Belt and they’ll look to pick up another road victory in league play against Arkansas State (17-10, 9-6). Ryan Harrow and R.J. Hunter make for a potent 1-2 punch and Georgia State is one of those mid-major programs that nobody wants to potentially face in the NCAA Tournament. Arkansas State will look to avenge the one-point loss that they suffered at Georgia State on January 16th.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

1) Florida will look to make it 22 consecutive wins as the Gators travel to South Carolina. The Gamecocks don’t have much to play for, but that won’t stop Frank Martin’s group from playing hard, as evidenced by Saturday’s home win over Kentucky. Billy Donovan’s team better come prepared.

2) Can No. 3 Syracuse bounce back from Saturday’s loss at Virginia? The Orange host Georgia Tech and they’ll look to get back on track as they continue to play for a potential No. 1 seed.

3) Also looking to bounce back from a road loss is No. 13 Creighton. The Bluejays fell at Xavier and will travel to D.C. to face Georgetown, who is desperate for wins to stay relevant in the at-large conversation. CBT’s own Rob Dauster will be at this one.

4) How will No. 25 Kentucky and John Calipari respond to Saturday’s horrible loss at South Carolina? The Wildcats host Alabama in a home game they should win.

5) Providence and Marquette battle on Tuesday in a matchup of Big East team. Providence is doing everything they can to stay in the bubble picture and a home win over Marquette before Saturday’s game at Creighton could be huge.

NOTABLES:


  • Florida State at Boston College, 9:00 p.m., ESPNU

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