There are just three weeks left in college basketball’s regular season, and it’s time for teams to make their moves. You don’t want to tie your NCAA Tournament hopes to winning your conference tournament, or making a deep run there, so it’s imperative to get at least a few more wins before Selection Sunday. Some of the teams playing this Tuesday already have a strong case to make to the committee, but others could really use a win tonight to make it.
Maryland Terrapins at Iowa Hawkeyes
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa
CBB Betting Line: Iowa -2, O/U 148
ESPN’s Bubble Watch thinks that both of these teams have already made a strong enough case to be in the NCAA Tournament, but whoever wins this game will have essentially sealed their bid.
Iowa has already won 20 games this season, and the Hawkeyes have played in some thrillers lately. They scored a big win at the start of the month when they crushed Michigan, and they have now won four in a row. Their wins over Northwestern and Rutgers were of the buzzer-beating variety, so while they weren’t pretty, at least they got the job done.
The Terrapins’ position is a little more precarious. They finally got the big win they had been searching for when they beat Purdue last week, but they have not yet reached that magical 20-win plateau. This is a team that could make some serious noise come tournament time though. Bruno Fernando has really come into his own as a sophomore, and he can take over a game.
The battle between Fernando and Tyler Cook should be a great one. In an era where teams are going smaller and shooting the three, these are two traditional big men with great low post games. I think Fernando will get the better of the duel though and lead Maryland to an upset.
Florida State Seminoles at Clemson Tigers
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 9 p.m. ET
Location: Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, South Carolina
CBB Betting Line: Clemson -1, O/U 133.5
Do you see that sign up ahead? The one with the flashing lights and the big bold letters? It’s screaming trap game.
Even though FSU comes into this game ranked No. 16 in the country with a 20-5 record, the Seminoles are a one-point underdog. They have won seven straight, including three straight road games, but the oddsmakers know that FSU is a team that traditionally struggles on the road.
In January, FSU lost to both Pittsburgh and Boston College on the road in the same week, and neither of those teams has a chance to be involved in the madness this year. Meanwhile, this is a must win for Clemson if they are to rally and get back to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers won four in a row before losing their last two, but those were one-point road losses. The committee could give them the benefit of the doubt if they get to .500 in conference, but they are 5-7 right now and need a win.
Baylor Bears at Iowa State Cyclones
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 9 p.m. ET
Location: Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa
CBB Betting Line: Iowa State -8.5, O/U 143
Just last week, TCU put itself squarely on the bubble with a big win over Iowa State in Ames, and now rival Baylor is looking to do the same. The Bears are sitting at 16-9, but they have lost three of their last four and are losing momentum.
Injuries have hit Baylor at the worst possible time. The Bears’ best frontcourt player Tristan Clark was lost for the season last month, and now their two leading scorers are both injured. Makai Mason and King McClure are both questionable for tonight’s tilt, and if neither can play, Baylor will be in a bad spot.
Iowa State is gunning for a top four seed, and with just one ranked team left on their schedule, the Cyclones have a chance of getting it. A win also keeps them in contention for a share of the Big 12 title after upsetting Kansas State over the weekend.
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