NCAA Resume Change Opportunities 1/31

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.

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 
Drake (vs Illinois State)
Syracuse (vs North Carolina State)
Rutgers (@ Northwestern)

WINNER GETS A BOOST

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.

No Games to Report.

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.

SMU Basketball Ethan Chargois (smumustangs.com)

SMU @ Houston 
Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars team has been ranked in the AP Top 25 since preseason. They’ve done everyting possible to impress starting 7-0 before losing a close game to Tulsa. Since that loss, Houston has again ignited a seven-game winning streak. They are head and shoulders above the rest of the American Conference, but the potential lies for SMU. The Mustangs have the best chance of getting a bid for teams in the AAC that aren’t Houston. They are 5-3 in conference with crucial games against Wichita State looming. If SMU upsets the home Cougars, they enter the bracket picture as a top bubble team.

Michigan State @ Ohio State 
Aaron Henry is often the leading scorer for Michigan State as he was Thursday against Rutgers. Unfortunately, he scored a team-high seven points. The Spartans were trounced by the Scarlet Knights in their first game in almost three weeks due to a COVID-related break. Michigan State is quickly slipping to Duke and Kentucky levels of weakness among blue-blooded teams. They are virtually even with SMU in bubble prospects. A Top 15 road win over Ohio State would put them back in the picture.

Featured Image courtesy of msusports.com

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