Terps benefit from rocky week for bubble teams

While the Maryland Terrapins endured a heartbreaking loss Tuesday night that certainly won't help their NCAA tournament hopes, the last two days have seen several bubble teams fall by the wayside.

 

Looking at the ACC from last night alone, Virginia Tech's chances took a serious hit when they faded down the stretch to North Carolina. They still have to play at Florida State Saturday just to reach .500 in the conference, and they aren't likely to win that game.

 

Georgia Tech took down Miami, who has not played well on the road all year. They are now assured of finishing below .500 in conference play, which very might eliminate them already.

 

If the Terps can beat Virginia this weekend, they will clinch the No. 7 seed in the ACC. Not only will that put them in that critical seventh spot in the standings, get them to .500 in the conference and give them 19 wins on the season, but it also sets up a first round matchup with North Carolina State in the ACC tournament. They would be an easier matchup than both Virginia Tech or Miami.

 

North Carolina State surprised Boston College, which leaves the Eagles needing one more victory to finish with a winning record in the ACC. They are likely to reach that mark and hold the tiebreaker over the Terps anyway.

 

Outside of the ACC, Georgia stunned Kentucky to essentially eliminate the Wildcats unless they make a major run through the SEC tournament. Florida also fell, though they are still in contention.

 

Now for the bad news.

 

Texas A&M and Nebraska both won to keep their hopes alive, but they are still on the outside looking in, especially the Cornhuskers. Minnesota beat Wisconsin, which improves the chances of the Golden Gophers while the Badgers appear to be already in the field of 65.

 

Penn State knocked off Illinois, which might help the Nittany Lions reach the NCAA tournament. San Diego State and UNLV both emerged from tight games victorious, which keeps them square on the bubble as well.

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