Bracketbusters Weekend

With Bracketbusters beginning tonight, many teams have a lot on the line this weekend...

• Old Dominion at N Iowa - Old Dominion is tied for first place in the Colonial Athletic and do have a win over Georgetown in their pocket that looks better everyday.  Still, the Monarchs RPI of #41 would get a nice boost if they can upset N Iowa tonight.  The Panthers will be without 7 foot center Jordan Eglseder who was suspended for a DUI arrest and will be at a size disadvantage.  The teams are mirror images of each other in that they play great defense and rebound well.  N Iowa is 2nd in the nation in scoring defense allowing only 55.1 points per game and the Monarchs are right there at 55.8.  Stimpy will be rooting for the Monarchs to pickup the tough road win to impress the committee. 
• William and Mary at Iona - William and Mary was struggling and therefore did not merit consideration for a matchup with one of the marquee bracketbuster teams like a Butler, Siena or N Iowa..  They'll face Iona who are 2nd in the MAAC and 10-3 at home.  The Tribe have stayed relevant by outlasting league leader Northeastern and then winning a tight one on the road against George Mason.  A win keeps their slim hopes alive.
• Cornell at Harvard - Not a Bracketbuster game, but in the Ivy League it's much more significant.  Big Red put a big whupping on Harvard at home.  Harvard has a chance at redemption tonight and will need to play much better than they have been.  The Crimson barely escaped in overtime vs Yale getting outrebounded 38-27 in that game. 
• Siena at Butler - Siena who missed out on a signature win prior to league play despite aggressive scheduling, will get a huge opportunity against Butler Saturday morning.  The Saints are the class of the MAAC but after suffering their first defeat to Niagara, have little margin for error.  Many pundits think that Siena will miss the tournament entirely if they lose Saturday and fail to win the MAAC tournament.  The Saints senior trio of Edwin Ubiles, Ronald Moore, and Alex Franklin along with junior Ryan Rossiter know how to handle big games. Together they have reached the 2nd round in the NCAAs the past 2 years.  If Siena can limit Butler from 3 point range and keep them off the free throw line which has been one of their strengths all year, they can pull the upset.  
• Louisiana Tech at Northeastern - Utah State's big win Wednesday over La Tech did some serious damage to the Bulldogs at-large hopes which are slim at best anyway.  A win over CAA co-leader Northeastern is essential if they want to continue to be in the conversation.
• Wichita St at Utah St - These two teams are going in the opposite direction with Utah State having won 11 straight and Wichita State having to go overtime to beat Evansville at home.  The Shockers desperately need this road win as this will be their last chance to improve their sketchy resume to the committee.  The Aggies have done some damage in the WAC but lack big wins outside of the one vs BYU.  Stew Morrill has his team playing efficient offensive basketball behind the all around play of Jared Quayle. 

While the little guy is on display this weekend, the big boys aren't lacking in critical games either...

• Florida at Ole Miss - Both are bubble teams with Ole Miss fading quickly having lost 4 of their last 5 games.   
• Baylor at Oklahoma St - The Bears are in but Oklahoma State is far from safe and need to continue to win at home where they are 12-1.  Baylor will be attempting to sweep the season series for the first time.  The Cowboys are begging a murderous stretch of games that includes Texas, Kansas, and Texas A and M.
• Ohio St at Michigan St - The Big 10s elite will clash with first place on the line. 
• Villanova at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh who survived the 3OT ordeal against W Virginia will get an even bigger test against #3 Villanova at home. 
  
• Marquette at Cincinnati - Bubble vs bubble.  The Bearcats are running out of time after losing to S Florida on Tuesday
• Virginia Tech at Duke - The Hokies are one of the hottest teams in the ACC after beating Wake Forest Tuesday night, they've won 5 straight.