The Big Ten is normally pretty competitive, but this was a down year, and Nebraska capitalized on it.
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If you’re eager to see if your favorite team made the NCAA Tournament this year, be sure to tune into Sunday’s selection show early.
The other top power conference teams from a betting perspective (heading into the final weekend) were Xavier of the Big East at 20-10 ATS, Auburn of the SEC at 19-9, Southern Cal of the Pac-12 at 19-11, MI of the Big Ten at 19-11-1 and Virginia of the ACC at 18-7-1. “I think it depends on the committee”, Huggins said.
The Volunteers rallied to beat Georgia 66-61 on Saturday to claim a share of their first Southeastern Conference regular-season title since 2008.
The Fighting Irish had a stretch at No. 1 in the PairWise – which determines the NCAA field – and now sits second.
For Michigan and Michigan State, there is no doubt about inclusion in the field.
Big Ten teams have a longer layoff than they are accustomed to heading into the NCAA Tournament. This year, we’re looking at Trae Young of Oklahoma, Devonte Graham of Kansas, or Terance Mann of Florida State as the potential players who could completely take over the tournament’s headlines and steal the show for their team. It’s the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college men’s basketball tournament. If anything, it could be argued in the selection room that Nebraska only finished fourth in the league because it did not have to play MSU, Ohio State or Purdue twice. Teams are chosen to participate in two ways. There’s plenty on the line, including NCAA seeds and teams trying to get off the bubble.
“It’s tough, that feeling of uncertainty”, senior guard Evan Taylor said.
But, the Spartans stubbing their toe in the semi-finals of the Big Ten Tournament may not be as bad of a thing as people are making it out to be.
Seeds 1-4 play winners of games involving 13-20 seeds.
For the first time, the NCAA Tournament bracket reveal will be delivered in stages on Selection Sunday. The Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern Conference open play Wednesday along with the Big East; the American Athletic Conference Tournament starts Thursday.
NKU Norse – The Norse lost in the Horizon League Tournament quarterfinals to Cleveland St. this past weekend.
No. 14 Texas Tech, the second seed, opens play against the Iowa State-Texas victor, while No. 18 West Virginia faces bubble team Baylor to wrap up the quarterfinals.
Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said Sunday he would like a return to the Garden, but only “under the right circumstances”.
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“I said to them after the game I am proud of them because they’ve worked, the put the work in and have done it”, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said Monday. “It’s great for the fans, but it’s tough on coaches, I’ll tell you that”.
