NCAA Resume Change Opportunities 2/22

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 taking a bad loss on their resume or are a bad loss from falling out of at-large contention.

Teams that Should Win 
Drake (vs Evansville)*

Teams that Need a Win but Could Lose 
No Games to Report

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.

For High Tournament Seeding 
Matchups between Top 25 teams won’t typically help resolve the bubble. For viewing interest, these matchups are more marquee while the others are for teams with high hopes and less security.

Texas Tech @ Oklahoma State
Oregon @ USC 

This section is a little different than normal. None of these teams are currently looking for a four seed or better. With that being said, all are secure in at-large candidacy. The Pac-12 game has more at stake with USC currently at the top of the standings at Oregon only 1.5 games out. For the Big 12 teams, being in the top half of the standings would be a dream. The winner gets a boost as conference tournaments fast approach.

For Low Tournament Seeding and Tournament Qualification

Duke Basketball DJ Steward (goduke.com)

Unlike the “Teams that Need a Win but Could Lose” above, a loss here isn’t quite as damning. These results will most fall into NET rankings Q1 or Q2 wins and losses benefitting the winner in a meaningful way.

Syracuse @ Duke 
The Blue Devils have played their way back into tournament candidacy. A huge 66-65 win over Virginia puts them arguably ahead of Syracuse in the bubble conversation. The Orange only have two games left and need to win both to feel any comfort heading into the ACC tournament. Both teams enter this game on three-game winning streaks, but Duke feels like they have the momentum. Watch for forward Matthew Hurt who has averaged over 22 points per game during the active streak. It seems unlikely that Syracuse will win at Cameron Indoor today.

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 okstate.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“