What we discovered: The first Saturday of March was certainly

Saturday’s slate started with the ultimate bubble fight: Villanova at Providence, which pitted one group amongst the “very first four out” against one clinging to a “last 4 in” area. The schedule ended with a Gonzaga team in requirement of a win to protect an at-large bid traveling to face a Saint Mary’s group seeking to complete an unbeaten WCC season. In in between, there were dozens of games with huge NCAA tournament implications.After a couple

of weeks that included disputes near the top of the rankings, three of the top five teams in this week’s AP poll were heading on the road, which has actually been kryptonite for top-25 teams this season. Were we in shop for another wild day of losses by Final Four competitors? March is here, and the first Saturday of the very best month on the calendar did not disappoint.ESPN’s Myron Medcalf,

Jeff Borzello and Joe Lunardi break down the huge storylines from a packed slate of games. play 0:18 Baylor fans appear on Rayj Dennis

‘steal-and-score Rayj Dennis creates the steal and drives

to the rim for 2 Baylor points.

Myron Medcalf: Right now, Kansas doesn’t appear like a nationwide title competitor. While the return of Kevin McCullar Jr. was a favorable– coming just days after Bill Self stated he didn’t expect the possible All-American to play the rest of this season due to the fact that of a knee injury– the Jayhawks stopped working to get rid of the exact same issues that afflicted them in their home loss to BYU on Tuesday. Versus both Baylor and the Cougars, their half-court offense failed to provide when they required it most. On Tuesday, they had no rhythm and eventually blew a 12-point lead in the second half. Against the Bears, they turned to hero ball late in an attempt to climb back.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated These offensive problems have actually been a growing issue. Hunter Dickinson opts for difficult shots sometimes. Freshman Johnny Furphy doesn’t always look comfy. Dajuan Harris Jr., who is more impactful as a distributor, sometimes ends up being a scorer by default, as he carried out in essential ownerships on Saturday. It’s challenging to see the Jayhawks having a shot to lower the webs in April. Which is a rare thing for a Kansas team. But this group seems to be a step listed below the real contenders right now.Jeff Borzello: The ongoing enhancement of Yves Missi and growing consistency of Ja’Kobe Walter make Baylor’s offense one of the most hazardous in the nation, and a tough out in the NCAA competition. Because their three-game losing streak in January (by a combined 9 points, it should be stated), the Bears have won seven of 10, falling just at Kansas, at BYU and versus Houston. They have the very best offense in the Huge 12– though they’re not as reliant on the 3-point shot as they were earlier this season– with RayJ Dennis developing himself as the bellwether of this attack.Men’s Tournament Challenge

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Getting In Saturday, Dennis averaged 13.9 points, 6.3 helps and 2.9 turnovers on 44.3% 3-point shooting in Baylor’s wins, and 11.4 points, 7.1 helps, 4.5 turnovers on 23.1% 3-point shooting in Baylor’s losses. Against the Jayhawks, he took control of late and finished with 19 points, 10 assists and just 3 turnovers.Joe Lunardi’s bracket impact: Another mammoth matchup without any bracket modifications from the outcome. That’s typically the case when the “expected” takes place, particularly this late in the season with numerous other data points in the book. We’ll keep both as 3-seeds, though the Bears (No. 10 overall) sneak past the Jayhawks (No. 11) on the total seed list.

Medcalf: For the 2nd year in a row, Marquette has to weather a Tyler Kolek injury in March. A year earlier, the Golden Eagles lost to Michigan State in the second round of the NCAA competition, with the star guard nursing a thumb injury he ‘d suffered in the first round versus Vermont. Now, he’s handling an oblique injury that required him to miss this loss. He didn’t take a trip with the team and Shaka Smart hasn’t used any conclusive details about his prospective timetable to return. Oblique injuries are difficult and the healings vary. If Kolek returns fairly soon and is completely recuperated, the Golden Eagles will go into the postseason as a team with Final 4 aspirations. If he stays out or returns however isn’t fully healthy, the Golden Eagles will face an uphill climb to compete versus top teams in the NCAA tournament.Champ Week 2024 Get basketball competition action, consisting of 425-plus games throughout 26 conferences streaming on ESPN +, consisting of the AAC, Big 12, West Coast Conference and more. Guy’s|Women’s – Watch: ESPN+offer for hoops fans – Bracketology: Women’s
| Guy’s – Bubble Watch|Tournament Difficulty Borzello: It’s
time to begin speaking about Baylor Scheierman as a possible All-American and Big East Gamer of the Year candidate. The flexible lefty is playing along with anyone in the nation right now. He entered Saturday balancing 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 4.3 rebounds over 11 games, then finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds and 4 helps versus the Golden Eagles. He had 15 points in the second half, including three 3-pointers in a two-minute period late in the game that helped extend Creighton’s lead from two to 12 and clinch the win.Lunardi’s bracket impact: There is no change for either group off this result. Marquette remains in the bottom half of the 2-seeds (No. 7 overall) and Creighton is right on the fence of a 3-seed or 4-seed. I’m keeping the Bluejays as a 3-seed( No. 12 general )however with Kentucky getting awfully close in the rearview mirror. play 0:40 Mashack does it all for Tennessee with a 3 and take causing and-1 Jahmai Mashack strikes the 3-pointer, then gets a take causing a Jonas Aidoo and-1. Medcalf: With his team down by three and 44 seconds to go, Mark Sears launched a hurried, errant 3-pointer that clanked off the rim and cost Alabama an opportunity to connect the game. Nate Oats ‘team didn’t require a 3– however if the plan was to launch one there, the Crimson Tide needed a much better appearance. Which’s the issue with this gifted squad, which had the most effective offense in the nation entering Saturday. The Tide can set up outrageous, awesome numbers, and they can likewise get in their own method, surrendering 85 points or more in seven of their eight losses.Alabama played much better than Tennessee in several stretches. It forced Dalton Knecht into a 5-for-14 effort. It managed a 12-0 go to end the very first half and take the lead. And after that, it missed out on 11 of 12 shots after halftime. In

March, we all know Alabama can challenge any team in America with its elite offense. But the question remains: For the length of time? Good basketball for 40 minutes might help Alabama get to the Last Four. Good basketball in spurts? That variation of Alabama is not a warranty to reach the 2nd weekend.Top stories of the week from Get unique access to thousands of premium articles a year from leading writers. – Bubble Watch: Big 12’s role up until now “- A totally free agent signing due date for MLB?” – NFL free agency tiers: RBs and Pounds”More ESPN+material”Borzello: We knew Tennessee’s defense was elite; we knew it could go toe-to-toe

with Alabama’s elite offense(since it already beat the Tide this season by 20).
However could it travel to Tuscaloosa? It did.
The Tide shot simply 9-for-37 from 3 and made just two shots from behind the arc in the 2nd half. But possibly the more important development from Saturday night was UT maintaining offensively with Alabama without Dalton Knecht going for 40. The All-American handled foul difficulty and was held to 13 points on 14 shots. However Zakai Zeigler made shots, Jahmai Mashack made shots and Josiah-Jordan James was efficient. Rick Barnes has options.Lunardi’s bracket impact: Tennessee stays alive for a No. 1 seed with a substantial win in Tuscaloosa, however Arizona did the Vols no favors by thumping Oregon to stay ahead and keep the spot on the top line. The Vols– and anyone else chasing after Arizona– will require the Wildcats to lose at some time to move up. Alabama, on the other hand sits solidly as a 4-seed( No. 14 general)however has slipped behind Kentucky(No. 13)on the seed list.Quick strikes A very long time coming Five years back, then-Wisconsin assistant coach Howard Moore’s life altered when he and his household were associated with crash with a wrong-way chauffeur. His wife and daughter, as well as the motorist of the other lorry, were killed. Moore suffered major, career-altering injuries. His kid likewise suffered small injuries.A minute we’ve been waiting on for nearly five years … Invite home, Howard Moore ️pic.twitter.com/JEV6j5ieDX!.?.!— Wisconsin Basketball(@BadgerMBB) March 2, 2024 On Saturday, Moore made his

very first public appearance since the crash throughout the Badgers’home matchup versus Illinois. The school also announced it had decided to name its basketball offices after Moore. Forget basketball. It was good to see Moore on Saturday. Congratulations to Wisconsin for honoring him the way that it did.– Medcalf Kentucky’s all-freshman lineup John Calipari subbed in Justin Edwards at the 5:42 mark of the

second half against Arkansas, a change that put 5

freshmen on the flooring for the Wildcats. They didn’t make another alternative the rest of the game, as the freshman-only team outscored the Razorbacks by 12 the rest of the method. I do not expect Calipari to utilize that lineup too often, but it’s a great indication for the Wildcats that Zvonimir Ivisic is ending up being an aspect and Edwards ‘two-way influence is growing. Additionally, the minute– trailing a middling Arkansas team deep into the 2nd half– didn’t appear too huge for the young quintet. — Borzello The Big East roller rollercoaster The day’s most important”

bubble game,”if you will, was Villanova’s double-digit win at Providence. The Wildcats are now the last team in our forecasted NCAA field while the Friars sit as the first string out. Exceptionally, the teams directly on either side of those 2 likewise live in the Big East: Seton Hall(next-to-last team in )and St. John’s( second team out). The Big East roller rollercoaster is just beginning, and it’s not going to stop till we reach Madison Square Garden.– Lunardi