Our quick thoughts on Sunday's results:We knew that Pittsburgh was due for some market correction after a 5-0 start in conference, but we certainly didn't think it would happen this quickly. Four days after suffering a rare home loss to Georgetown, the Panthers struggled mightily again on Sunday, losing 68-64 at Seton Hall. Pitt shot just 35 percent from the field against the Pirates and were unable to capilatize on Jeremy Hazell's early foul trouble. Hazell, who came in averaging 23 points per game, finished with just nine points in 16 sporadic minutes. The loss will knock Pitt from the end of the 2 line to perhaps as far as the top of the 5 line in Monday's bracket. Seton Hall, who beat Louisville at home on Thursday, is still not at-large worthy but is suddenly relevant in the crowded Big East. Their next three games are all tough and all on the road - at South Florida, at Villanova, and at Pitt.
Florida State saved its spot in the bracket by completing a huge season sweep of Georgia Tech. Solomon Abali's two free throws with 22 seconds left were the difference for the 'Noles in a 68-66 win in Tallahassee. The win is especially huge for FSU considering that their next two games are at BC and at Duke, and that Maryland, a team they have already lost to, has become increasingly relevant in the ACC bubble race. The 'Noles will likely move from the 10 line up to an 8 thanks to the victory, while Georgia Tech should remain right around the top of the 7 line. The Yellow Jackets' next two conference games are big ones - at home against Wake on Thursday and at Duke on Feb. 4.
Cincinnati's road woes continued on Sunday as the Bearcats lost at Louisville 68-60. The loss is Cincinnati's third straight away from home and it drops them to 4-4 in conference - but it won't necessarily drop them out of our bracket on Monday. The Bearcats have a couple of good OOC wins (Vandy and Maryland), their win over UConn is looking better than ever, and they have Providence coming in for their only game this week. That will probably be enough to earn them one of our last few bids.
Of note: Wisconsin rallied from 16 down in the second half to beat Penn State 79-71 in Madison (Jordan Taylor scored the last eight points of regulation and 10 more in OT to lead the Badgers); Northern Iowa won at Indiana State.
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One has to wonder how much longer the Badgers can keep this up. Late 2nd half comebacks vs. weak defensive teams like Michigan and Penn State are one thing, but that's not going to fly against a team that's better than them like MSU, not to mention when they go on the road.
At this rate, their road game at Purdue could be the only conference game Michigan State loses this season.
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