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Monday’s Bracket Update Thoughts:

• UConn vs. Florida for the final 1 seed is officially on!
• Michigan State → Kansas is razor thin, and honestly, there isn’t a right answer now. MSU is coming on strong right now!
• The teams on the back end of the 4 line feel pretty secure in that area. They could drop, but would take significant movement.
• The 5 to the top of the 6 line is relatively close; UNC could end up towards the 4 line if they win out the rest of the year.
• BYU is volatile. I’ve seen people with them on the 6 line, but others on the 8.
• We saw big movement (expected) along the 7-9 lines. SMC, UCF, Miami all jumped up. NC State, Iowa, Villanova fell.
• Georgia/Missouri are in great spots suddenly.
• Texas and UCLA above Miami (OH) helps indicate the split between the most volatile sides of the bubble and the teams who are a bit safer.
• UNM, TCU, Ohio State, A&M, SMU, Santa Clara, VCU are my final teams in. Every one of them are on the true bubble and everything is jumbled.
• Virginia Tech, Indiana, Auburn, San Diego State honestly feel like the only teams who have a shot at this time.
• Seton Hall, Cincinnati are the two teams I could see moving into closer consideration with a couple of wins very soon.
• USF? First time they’ve appeared! They’re currently an AQ, but there’s also an outside shot at an at-large for them with how chaotic the bubble is!

Sunday brought us two massive results.

First, Ohio State beat Purdue in Columbus. After all of the bubble carnage from Saturday, this puts the Buckeyes IN the tournament currently. Purdue → 3.

Michigan State then took care of Indiana in Bloomington behind a lockdown second half. MSU → 3.

Monday’s games:

Duke @ NC State | 7:00, ESPN

Massive matchup for the ACC. Duke has wrapped the conference up, but is still fighting fora 1 seed. NCSU, meanwhile, is looking to rebound after a bad loss on Saturday. Due is favored by 9.5. NC State projects as a 9.

Iowa State @ Arizona | 9:00, ESPN

Per usual, we get a massive battle in the Big 12 tonight to help decide conference races. Iowa State, after a loss at home this weekend to Hilton is falling back, quick. Arizona remains at the top of the conference. Arizona – 1, favored by 7.5. ISU – 2.

Welcome to conference tournament season! The Horizon League kicks off at 7:00 on ESPN+ with IU Indy and Cleveland State!

MEAC

Norfolk State battles Morgan State in a battle for second in the conference at 6:00. SC State and Delaware State play in Dover in a game that SCST will look to win and inch closer to .500. NC Central looks to stay within striking distance of 3rd place with a game vs. MD Eastern Shore. Howard will look to maintain their 1 game lead tonight with a win over Coppin State.

Southland

Last night of the conference this year! SFA is at Incarnate Word and the Lumberjacks will take the outright title with a win. McNeese will look to beat Nicholls and have a hope of sharing the title. Both top teams are on the road. UT Rio Grande Valley looks to maintain their 3rd place grasp with a win over NW State. New Orleans (SE LA), and Texas A&M CC (East TX A&M) will both look to get win 13. Finally, Lamar and Houston Christian will break the tie between the two 7-14 teams.

Big Sky

Final regular season matchups!

Portland State takes on Weber State in a win-and take the title game. A loss, however, could open Montana State, or Eastern Washington (both 1 game back) to tie for the regular season crown. MT State travels to Northern Arizona, and Eastern Washington hosts Idaho. Elsewhere, Northern Colorado hosts 10-7 Montana in a key matchup for seeding. And Finally, 5-12 teams (Idaho State and Sacramento State) battle to decide who finishes ahead of the other.