Miami (Ohio) edges closer to a perfect season, while TCU and UCLA score major upsets and more college basketball thoughts
Miami (Ohio) and the Perfect Season:
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks are on a historic run, with a 30-0 record, just the fifth team in 40 years to achieve this feat. Their victory over Toledo secured them the top seed in the MAC Tournament and a share of the regular season championship, their first since 2005. But is this team a lock for the NCAA Tournament?
The RedHawks have repeatedly found ways to win close games, relying on their lethal offense. However, on Tuesday, their defense saved them. After a tense final possession, Miami (Ohio) escaped with a 74-72 win, their seventh MAC game decided by three points or less. With point guard Luke Skaljac back from injury, the RedHawks are in great shape for the tournament, having accumulated roughly 2.4 Wins Above Bubble. Even if they lose their regular-season finale, they'd still be in decent shape with a 30-2 record.
TCU and UCLA Upsets:
TCU earned a major win with a road victory over No. 10 Texas Tech, 73-65, putting them in a great spot with one regular-season game remaining. Two SEC teams also claimed big home wins over teams destined to dance, with Georgia beating Alabama and Texas A&M cooling off Kentucky.
Bubble Teams and the Cutline:
Many bubble teams picked up victories on Tuesday, strengthening their bids. Auburn, one of the most polarizing squads, got a necessary home win over LSU, while VCU survived a scare from George Mason. Virginia Tech and Seton Hall also kept their good vibes going, beating Boston College and Xavier, respectively. However, San Diego State and West Virginia had disappointing road trips, losing to Boise State and Kansas State, respectively.
Ejections and Controversial Calls:
In a controversial incident, Kansas coach Bill Self was ejected from a game for the third time in his career. Self crossed half-court to argue a foul call, receiving a pair of technicals. Later, Kansas assistant Jacque Vaughn was also assessed a technical for arguing with the referee. The officials' tough schedule may have affected their levelheadedness, but Self's ejection was warranted, even if he disagreed with the second technical.
UCLA's Dominance:
UCLA is a team that could turn Pauley Pavilion into a graveyard for ranked foes. They are now the owner of three Quad 1 home wins, including a 72-52 takedown of No. 9 Nebraska. The Bruins dictated every inch of the night, with Trent Perry pacing them with 20 points. This performance nudged UCLA's resume into safer territory, climbing to 20-10 overall and 12-7 in the Big Ten.
Looking Ahead:
With the NCAA Tournament approaching, bubble teams are running out of time to stack wins. Miami (Ohio) and TCU are in great shape, while UCLA's recent dominance has nudged them into tournament position. The cutline is getting stronger, and the competition for bids is heating up. As the season winds down, the race for the final spots is on.
