Feb. 20-26, 2023
28 games on the schedule this week, with 1 feature game. Let's take you out to the Pac 12 in a game that has just gotten a lot more meaningful.
2/25/23-
#18 Stanford (Benito Sanchez) @
UCLA (Tim Shepard) -- A great one here, as both teams shot lights out. Despite being outrebounded and outscored at the line, Stanford made more shots, including three pointers, to escape with a big win that leaves them back on top of the conference.
Final Score: #18 Stanford- 80, UCLA- 78
Now for the rest of the weekly recap:
Hartford (David Ginsberg) -- 12-17, 6-10 T-7th America East.
2/24/23 vs. Albany (L 79-71).
The Hawks finish the regular season with a whimper, finishing with their worst conference record in about 4 seasons. They'll limp into the America East tournament as the 7th seed after winning a tiebreaker and will open up in the first round against 2nd seed New Hampshire.
UConn (Randolph Childress) -- 13-16, 10-7 5th American.
2/22/23 vs. ECU (W 84-71).
2/25/23 at Houston (W 71-60).
2 more wins for the Huskies who are finishing strong. Their final conference game won't be easy as they take on a conference leading Cincinnati team that'll be going for their 20th win. If the Huskies can stay hot, they can still finish top 4. A loss all but locks them into the 5th seed.
Tulsa (Will Brown) -- 14-15, 10-6 T-3rd American.
2/22/23 vs. Memphis (W 81-66).
2/25/23 vs. ECU (W 72-64).
The Golden Hurricane also win 2 games this week, and have 2 crucial road games next week. Their final game is at Tulane, who is currently in 2nd place. Win both, and they could finish in 2nd place. Losing both could drop them down to 6th. If they can win both and get a lot of help, they could end up sharing a conference title, but that would take a LOT of luck.
Duke (Dean Hoo) -- 17-11, 9-7 7th ACC.
2/22/23 at #9 Florida State (L 75-73).
2/25/23 vs. Georgia Tech (L 72-57).
Tough week for the Blue Devils, who continue to be inconsistent. A tough loss at Florida State, then they fell apart against GA Tech. Their final 2 regular season games are winnable, but the best they can hope for is a 5th place finish which is unacceptable for Duke standards.
TCU (Bee Mighty) -- 16-12, 7-9 T-6th Big 12.
2/20/23 vs. Kansas (W 76-67).
2/25/23 vs. Texas Tech (W 72-67).
2 wins for the Horned Frogs this week, and those 2 wins will ensure they don't finish in the cellar. If they can win both next week, they'll finish .500 in the conference, but they can still finish anywhere between 5th and 9th.
Michigan State (Al Mighty) -- 19-9, 10-6 T-3rd Big Ten.
2/22/23 at Minnesota (L 85-80).
2/25/23 at Indiana (W 91-90).
Just more inconsistency for the Spartans, with the loss to Minnesota breaking a 4 game losing streak. A good bounce back win at Indiana. They have 2 more games next week, with 1 of them against the conference leaders. If they can somehow win both, a share of the conference title is doable. Lose both, and they could fall all the way to 8th place.
Northwestern (Ess Vee) -- 17-10, 8-8 T-7th Big Ten.
2/22/23 at Rutgers (L 74-59).
2/25/23 at #3 Wisconsin (W 77-65).
A huge win for the Wildcats over Wisconsin, it's just a shame they had to lose to Rutgers before that. 2 winnable games next week, as despite the conference record, they seem to be looking pretty good for a postseason berth.
Hawaii (B.B. Gunn) -- 18-10, 8-7 T-3rd Big West.
2/23/23 vs. UC Davis (W 69-56).
2/25/23 at Cal State Fullerton (L 77-70).
Tough week for the Warriors who do split, but they needed that win against Fullerton as they finish off the regular season next week against the conference leaders UC Irvine. A conference title isn't going to happen, and depending on what does happen next week, Hawaii will finish somewhere between 3rd and 6th. firecoachgunn.com is still running wild.
FIU (Brett Hawkins) -- 21-6, 12-4 T-2nd Conference USA.
2/23/23 at Florida Atlantic (W 66-58).
2/25/23 vs. UTEP (W 76-72).
2 more wins for the Golden Panthers, who are over 20 wins for the 3rd straight season. They can't finish any worse than 5th in the conference, and need to beat UAB next week. If they can win both, it's still possible for a 1st or 2nd place finish.
Rice (Charlie Shocker) -- 9-18, 4-12 T-12th Conference USA.
2/23/23 vs. #12 North Texas (L 89-77).
2/25/23 vs. Louisiana Tech (L 97-65).
The nightmare season continues for the Owls, who lost twice more this week and are in the midst of their worst season since this dynasty started. Fortunately, they still have a chance to pick up double digit wins, as they have 2 teams in the bottom half of the conference next week. However, 1 of the games is against Fla Atlantic who is currently in last place. If the Owls lose that one, the cellar is theirs.
Colorado (Rob Nielsen) -- 16-12, 8-8 T-6th Pac 12.
2/23/23 at Gonzaga (L 77-65).
2/25/23 at Oregon (L 69-60).
The Buffaloes are quickly playing themselves out of the NCAA Tournament. It's amazing to think at 1 time they were 14-5 overall and 6-1 in Pac 12 play. Since then, they've lost 7 of their last 9, and haven't been competitive in a lot of those games. In fact, 4 of those 7 losses were by double digits, and 2 more were by 9 points. Not sure what has happened, but they need to right the ship next week as they finish off with the next to last place team in the conference, and then Washington State.
#18 Stanford (Benito Sanchez) -- 21-7, 13-3 1st Pac 12.
2/23/23 vs. Utah (W 77-76).
2/25/23 at UCLA- feature game, highlighted above.
It wasn't easy, but the Cardinal won both games this week, and thanks to Arizona beating Gonzaga this week, Stanford is back alone at the top of the Pac 12. It's not gonna be easy next week though, as they face 2 opponents that could knock them off. If they win just 1 of those games, they clinch a share of the conference title. Winning both clinches the title outright. Losing both.. well that could drop them all the way down to 3rd in the conference. Still a lot to play for.
UCLA (Tim Shepard) -- 14-14, 7-9 T-8th Pac 12.
2/23/23 at Oregon (W 72-66).
2/25/23 vs. #18 Stanford- feature game, highlighted above.
A split for the Bruins, who need to win both games next week just to finish at .500 in the conference. It's been a long time since they've been that bad, and definitely the 1st time in this dynasty. Scary thing is, if they win both next week, and things go right otherwise, they could end up getting 4th place in the conference. Not likely, I would expect them to finish somewhere between 6th and 10th. Hopefully towards the high end of that.
Washington State (DeShawn St. John) -- 15-12, 8-8 T-6th Pac 12.
2/23/23 vs. Washington (L 69-59).
2/25/23 vs. Utah (W 59-56).
A split for the Cougars, who are having their best season in a while. They have yet to sniff the postseason in this dynasty, and if they can somehow win a couple games next week and a couple in the Pac 12 Tournament, they might get there. Unfortunately, they have to face a hot Gonzaga team next week, as well as a Colorado team trying to get back on track. Not how you want to finish off the regular season.
#16 Alabama (Roy Rogers) -- 21-7, 12-4 T-1st SEC.
2/22/23 at #4 Arkansas (W 83-74).
2/25/23 at South Carolina (W 92-89).
The Crimson Tide couldn't have asked for a better week. They went into Arkansas and shocked the Razorbacks, then held on against a tough South Carolina team. They are now in position to earn at least a split for the conference title, if they can continue to win both games next week. It won't be easy though, as they travel to VCU and return home to end the regular season against Kentucky. Although both teams are down a little, they are still going to be very tough games.
Here's a look at the national top 25 going into the week of Feb. 27-March 6:
Code:
# Team FPV Record Points Prv Conference test test test test
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1. Syracuse (72) 27-2 1800 1 Atlantic Coast Conference
2. Notre Dame 24-4 1728 2 Atlantic Coast Conference
3. Wisconsin 22-6 1628 3 Big Ten Conference
4. North Carolina 21-7 1572 7 Atlantic Coast Conference
5. Louisville 21-6 1546 5 Atlantic Coast Conference
6. Arkansas 22-6 1426 4 Southeastern Conference
7. Georgetown 22-7 1334 6 Big East Conference
8. Ohio State 21-7 1241 10 Big Ten Conference
9. Florida State 21-7 1230 9 Atlantic Coast Conference
10. Arizona 22-6 1193 8 Pacific-12 Conference
11. Virginia 22-6 1135 11 Atlantic Coast Conference
12. Alabama 21-7 967 16 Southeastern Conference
13. UAB 23-5 871 14 Conference USA
14. Yale 24-5 766 13 Ivy League
15. Villanova 22-7 759 21 Big East Conference
16. Wichita State 22-6 724 20 Missouri Valley Conference
17. Stanford 21-7 660 18 Pacific-12 Conference
18. Mercer 25-5 635 19 Southern Conference
19. North Texas 22-5 486 12 Conference USA
20. Gonzaga 20-8 459 NR Pacific-12 Conference
21. Texas A&M 19-9 325 NR Southeastern Conference
22. Baylor 21-8 204 17 Big 12 Conference
23. Davidson 21-7 137 22 Atlantic 10 Conference
24. Iowa State 19-9 99 NR Big 12 Conference
25. FIU 21-6 79 NR Conference USA
Others Receiving Votes:
Western Michigan 22-7 76 Mid-American Conference
LSU 20-9 63 Southeastern Conference
UC Riverside 22-6 62 Big West Conference
BYU 22-9 54 West Coast Conference
Kent State 22-7 54 Mid-American Conference
Massachusetts 21-7 38 Atlantic 10 Conference
Old Dominion 21-6 33 Conference USA
UC Irvine 20-9 8 Big West Conference
Loyola Chicago 20-9 4 Missouri Valley Conference
Portland 21-8 2 West Coast Conference
Mississippi 19-9 1 Southeastern Conference
Oklahoma State 22-8 1 Big 12 Conference
Alabama jumps 4 spots in the poll after a big win at Arkansas, while Stanford raises 1 spot after 2 narrow victories. FIU jumps back into the top 25, barely. Michigan State and Duke, 2 once proud programs that made a living in the top 25, are nowhere to be found after losing all their votes again.
Now for the mid-major top 25 going into the week of Feb. 27-March 6:
Mid Major Top 25
Code:
# Team FPV Record Points Prv Conference test test test test
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1. Wichita State (58) 22-6 1784 1 Missouri Valley Conference
2. UAB (8) 23-5 1704 3 Conference USA
3. Yale (6) 24-5 1626 2 Ivy League
4. Kent State 22-7 1485 7 Mid-American Conference
5. Western Michigan 22-7 1404 4 Mid-American Conference
6. Mercer 25-5 1364 10 Southern Conference
7. Davidson 21-7 1363 8 Atlantic 10 Conference
8. BYU 22-9 1341 5 West Coast Conference
9. FIU 21-6 1179 15 Conference USA
10. Massachusetts 21-7 1113 13 Atlantic 10 Conference
11. North Texas 22-5 1105 9 Conference USA
12. UC Riverside 22-6 988 11 Big West Conference
13. Portland 21-8 907 16 West Coast Conference
14. Saint Joseph's 20-8 906 6 Atlantic 10 Conference
15. Old Dominion 21-6 892 12 Conference USA
16. UC Irvine 20-9 711 14 Big West Conference
17. St. Bonaventure 19-9 680 17 Atlantic 10 Conference
18. Loyola Chicago 20-9 595 22 Missouri Valley Conference
19. Tulane 20-8 551 21 American Athletic Conference
20. Bradley 19-10 403 18 Missouri Valley Conference
21. San Diego State 18-10 381 24 Mountain West Conference
22. Cincinnati 19-9 360 25 American Athletic Conference
23. Oakland 19-9 170 23 Horizon League
24. New Mexico 17-9 100 NR Mountain West Conference
25. Southern Illinois 19-11 84 NR Missouri Valley Conference
Others Receiving Votes:
Drexel 20-9 58 Colonial Athletic Association
Richmond 18-10 39 Atlantic 10 Conference
VMI 21-8 29 Southern Conference
Green Bay 19-11 21 Horizon League
Manhattan 20-10 20 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
UNLV 17-10 15 Mountain West Conference
Illinois State 18-13 12 Missouri Valley Conference
Pepperdine 17-11 5 West Coast Conference
Hawaii 18-10 3 Big West Conference
Northern Iowa 18-11 2 Missouri Valley Conference
FIU moves up 6 spots after a good week, while Hawaii just barely hangs in consideration, getting 3 votes. You can be assured that 1 of those votes came from Coach Gunn lol.
Now for this weeks edition of the Bubble Watch. As always we'll start with the Overall Bubble Watch, which once again features 2 of our teams.
Code:
Team Record RPI vs. 1-50 vs. 51-100 vs. 101-200 vs. 200+ SOS Projected
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Western Michigan 22-7 .575 (32) 0-4 2-0 11-3 9-0 119 In
Northern Iowa 18-11 .560 (51) 5-7 3-1 5-2 5-1 55 In
Duke 17-11 .596 (16) 5-9 4-1 1-0 7-1 4 In
Davidson 21-7 .556 (58) 1-2 5-2 6-1 9-2 216 In
Hawaii 18-10 .560 (49) 2-1 4-4 8-4 4-1 110 In
UC Riverside 22-6 .550 (65) 3-2 4-1 7-2 8-1 246 In
Baylor 21-8 .548 (67) 4-2 4-3 8-2 5-1 144 In
California 17-10 .558 (53) 2-6 4-0 7-2 4-2 77 In
Tulane 20-8 .564 (45) 1-1 3-1 10-3 6-3 133 Out
Green Bay 19-11 .561 (48) 2-1 4-3 9-4 4-3 69 Out
San Diego State 18-10 .558 (54) 1-1 6-2 5-5 6-2 61 Out
Oklahoma State 22-8 .549 (66) 2-2 6-2 10-4 4-0 183 Out
Pepperdine 17-11 .554 (60) 3-3 0-4 6-4 8-0 67 Out
Illinois State 18-13 .578 (28) 10-6 0-2 5-4 3-1 5 Out
Richmond 18-10 .544 (72) 4-5 0-2 6-1 8-2 150 Out
With 2 losses this week, Duke now finds themselves on the Bubble. They are still projected in, but not nearly as safely in as they'd like. They definitely need to win probably both games next week to get off that bubble. Meanwhile, Hawaii remains in the last 4 in, but that could change next week. They face the conference leaders. A win could get them off the bubble, and a loss will probably see them in the First or Next Four Out.
Now for the rest of the FOFC Bubble Watch:
Locks:
Michigan State,
Northwestern,
FIU,
Stanford,
Alabama
The big changes from last week are that Northwestern moves from Safely In to the Lock category, Colorado is off the bubble and is no longer on the radar, projected out with a lot of work to do, and Duke, who was a lock last week, is on the bubble, but still projected in. Just not safely in.