Florida State’s late-season surge got here to a gutting finish on Thursday night time within the quarterfinals of the ACC Event because the Seminoles fell 80-79 to Duke. FSU would have surged into NCAA Event consideration with an upset win over the mighty Blue Devils, and so they almost pulled it off.
The ‘Noles led by eight within the second half behind an enormous efficiency from Lajae Jones and Robert McCray V. The duo mixed for 53 factors as FSU scorched the nets with 52% capturing towards a Duke workforce taking part in shorthanded. Ultimately, a possible go-ahead 3-point try from McCray missed the mark simply earlier than the ultimate horn.
Whereas it wasn’t Florida State’s night time, going toe-to-toe with the present No. 1 total seed in CBS Sports activities Bracketology served as one other signal that this system is progressing. The Seminoles stood at simply 7-11 (0-5 ACC) in mid-January beneath first-year coach Luke Loucks. At that time, the 35-year-old former Seminoles guard and longtime NBA assistant unlocked his workforce’s successful gear.
Earlier than Thursday’s loss, FSU had received 10 of its previous 12 video games. The Seminoles will not be going dancing, however this system seems to have a brilliant future.
The Duke-Florida State thriller was one in all a number of convention match video games on Thursday with severe bubble implications. Here is the rundown of Bracketology-oriented winners and losers from the day’s motion as Choice Sunday looms.
Winner: Oklahoma claims ultimate spot — for now
Like Florida State, Oklahoma has rebounded from a depressing begin to convention play to play significant postseason basketball. The Sooners handed SMU because the final workforce within the CBS Sports activities Bracketology subject of 68 on Thursday night time after beating Texas A&M 83-63 within the second spherical of the SEC Event. The victory improved the Sooners to 19-14 and set the stage for a quarterfinal showdown with Arkansas on Friday night time that would decide OU’s ultimate destiny.
OU’s rise to severe NCAA Event consideration is a exceptional surge that appeared not possible in early February. The Sooners have received eight of their previous 10 video games since a nine-game dropping streak early in SEC play.
Winner: No. 1 seed candidates survive debuts
Duke survived FSU’s upset bid and can stay the No. 1 total seed in CBS Sports activities Bracketology for now, as Isaiah Evans led the way in which with 32 factors for a workforce taking part in with out injured starters Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II.
Fellow projected 1-seed Arizona started its postseason journey with an 81-59 thrashing of UCF within the quarterfinals of the Massive 12 Event. UConn, which is the top-ranked No. 2 seed in CBS Sports activities Bracketology, throttled Xavier 93-68 in Massive East Event quarterfinal motion. If the Huskies win the Massive East Event and projected No. 1 seed Florida fails to win the SEC Event, UConn can have a case to surpass the Gators because the fourth No. 1 seed.
Loser: Miami (Ohio) leaves it within the committee’s palms
Miami (Ohio) lastly suffered its first loss Thursday, falling 87-83 to UMass within the quarterfinals of the MAC Event. The RedHawks are nonetheless within the CBS Sports activities Bracketology subject, however the defeat leaves their final destiny within the palms of the choice committee. With a Wins Above Bubble (WAB) mark of roughly 1.75, Miami’s resume ought to maintain up properly within the committee room when put next towards groups on the minimize line. One in every of WAB’s best options is that it permits the committee to match resumes from vastly totally different schedules. The RedHawks obtained minimal credit score for his or her 26 wins towards Quad 3 and Quad 4 competitors. However the sequence of incremental beneficial properties accrued by means of these victories was not eradicated by one dangerous loss. Nonetheless, the UMass loss caps Miami’s seeding ceiling, as a double-digit seed is now firmly within the realm of chance.
Miami (Ohio) shocked by UMass, nonetheless projected in NCAA Event subject — however the fallout could possibly be huge
Cameron Salerno
Winner: Two-bid MAC seems seemingly
Miami’s loss introduced an apparent silver lining for the MAC, because the convention is now positioned to ship two groups to the NCAA Event for the primary time since 1999. Assuming Miami is chosen as an at-large workforce, it will likely be joined by the eventual match champion. No. 2 seed Akron really charges because the league’s high workforce in predictive metrics and survived a scare towards Buffalo to emerge with. 73-70 win. If the Zips make it to the Massive Dance, they could possibly be a major Cinderella candidate. However do not sleep on UMass, which might be using excessive after handing Miami its solely lack of the season.
Loser: NC State cannot stack wins
NC State may have eliminated any shred of doubt over its NCAA Event credentials by upsetting No. 2 seed Virginia within the quarterfinals of the ACC Event. However the Wolfpack fell 81-74 and can enter Choice Sunday at 20-13 with seven losses of their final 9 video games. This workforce hasn’t received consecutive video games since early February, and the finer factors of its resume do not maintain up properly towards scrutiny. NC State’s greatest street wins over Clemson and SMU have depreciated in worth, and a 24-point victory over North Carolina comes with a major asterisk since UNC was lacking stars Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar. The Wolfpack are virtually actually protected. However a visit to the First 4 stays within the vary of potential outcomes.
Loser: Auburn wilts beneath strain
Auburn may have moved to a place of relative safety with a win over Tennessee within the second spherical of the NCAA Event. However the Tigers wilted within the second half, falling 72-62 in a defeat that would show deadly for his or her at-large hopes come Sunday. At 17-16, they’re now again within the First 4 Out inside CBS Sports activities Bracketology. Tennessee used a 20-0 run to show a 10-point deficit right into a 10-point lead late within the second half as star freshman Nate Ament stole the present with 27 factors.
Winner: Seton Corridor stays alive
At minimal, Seton Corridor will want a victory over St. John’s within the semifinals of the Massive East Event on Friday to have a real case for at-large consideration. However the Pirates took an important first step Thursday by edging Creighton 72-61 within the quarterfinals. With so many different bubble groups struggling, there’s a slim path for coach Shaheen Holloway’s membership. The Pirates are nonetheless an extended shot, however they don’t seem to be accomplished but.
Loser: Missouri will sweat somewhat bit
Is Missouri protected? Most certainly. Are the Tigers a “lock?” Not fairly. That standing was inside attain because the Tigers erased a 16-point deficit within the second half towards Kentucky within the second spherical of the SEC Event. However Mizzou could not get throughout the end line in a 78-72 loss that can make the Tigers at the least considerably nervous on Choice Sunday. The actual uncertainty might be much less about making the sector and extra about probably getting slotted within the First 4. Three straight losses coming into Choice Sunday merely took the wind from the sails of a 20-12 Mizzou workforce that performed a weak nonconference schedule.
