NCAA Resume Change Opportunities 1/28

With over 300 NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs, there are games on every day. Top 25 rankings help determine marquee matchups and nationally televised matchups. Postseason play is so inclusive that every game counts and every team is chasing success in March. This article will discuss the opportunities for teams to boost or hurt their resumes as March Madness nears. 

* – indicates second game in back-to-back series already covered in previous day.

MUST WIN GAMES

These teams already have a fine resume and risk tacking a bad loss on their resume or are a bad loss from falling out of at-large contention.

Teams that Should Win 
San Diego State (vs Wyoming)
Wintrhop (vs UNC Asheville)
Kansas (vs TCU)
Gonzaga (@ San Diego)
Houston (@ Tulane)
Belmont (@ Austin Peay)

Teams that Need a Win but Could Lose 
SMU (vs Memphis)*
USC (vs Oregon State)

Last time the Trojans and Beavers faced off, the matchup was categorized as “Teams that Should Win.” In one of the most surprising recent upsets, Oregon State shocked a USC team that was on a six-game winning streak and almost double digit favorites. Now heading into the second half of the series, the Beavers are on a three-game winning streak and even bigger underdogs in Los Angeles than in Corvallis earlier this month. For all the same reasons as before, expect the Mobley brothers to keep USC stable in bracket projections.

WINNER GETS A BOOST

Michigan State Basketball Aaron Henry (msuspartans.com)

These matchups have two mid-level contenders facing off for bubble separation. Games with two fringe teams are crucial in determining who gets a higher seed or qualifies for the NCAA tournament.

Michigan State @ Rutgers  
Tom Izzo’s Spartans are not used to sitting bottom five of the Big Ten standings. They are one spot behind the Scarlet Knights with their second matchup of the regular season on deck. Michigan State is coming off an almost three week hiatus dude to COVID-related postponements. They previously were upset by Purdue and beat Rutgers 68-45 in their first meeting. Since that game, Rutgers has gone 1-3. Both teams are solidly on the bubble and have an equal amount to gain and lose. Rutgers may have a slight edge simply because they haven’t been on break.

UPSET ALERT

Games in this section are expected to go the favorite’s way but realistically could be very competitive. If the underdog pulls off a win it is a huge boost for their resume. Whoever loses doesn’t add a bad loss to their resume.

No Games to Report.

Featured Image courtesy of gocards.com

You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Jack!

“From Our Haus to Yours“