North Shore Nine

Duke @ Wake Forest: 2:00 ESPN

Duke heads into this matchup with a clear path to the ACC regular season title. Additionally, the Blue Devils are nearing the top 2 seed lines and a win at Wake Forest would push them even closer. Meanwhile, Wake Forest sits at the cutline of the bubble. A home win against Duke would give them a bit of breathing room.

Brody’s pick: Wake Forest -2.5
Frank’s pick: Wake Forest -2.5

Iowa @ Illinois: 2:15 BTN

Iowa is currently under consideration for the bubble. A win at Illinois would give their résumé a big boost and push them much closer to the field. Illinois will look to bounce back from a tough loss at Penn State.

Frank’s pick: Illinois -9.5

Cincinnati @ TCU: 3:00 Big 12 Network

Cincinnati took a devastating loss to Oklahoma State earlier this week, pushing them far away from the cutline. However, a win at TCU would certainly boost to their tournament chances. Meanwhile, TCU could find itself flirting with the bubble with a loss to the Bearcats.

Brody’s pick: TCU -4.5
Frank’s pick: TCU -4.5

South Carolina @ Ole Miss: 3:30 SEC Network

Despite an impressive 21-5 record, South Carolina still has work to do to guarantee themselves a spot in March Madness. On the other side of this matchup, Ole Miss is barely on the right side of the bubble. A home loss to South Carolina would likely knock the Rebels out of the field.

Frank’s pick: Ole Miss: -2.5

North Carolina @ Virginia: 4:00 ESPN

After Arizona’s loss to Washington State, North Carolina has a path to becoming a 1 seed. A win at Virginia would get them closer to this goal. Meanwhile, Virginia is squarely on the bubble and could use a signature win. With a loss today, Virginia will be right at the cutline.

Brody’s pick: North Carolina -2.5
Frank’s pick: North Carolina -2.5

Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State: 4:00 ESPN2

After delivering a significant blow to Cincinnati’s tournament résumé, the Cowboys look to do the same to archrival Oklahoma. Oklahoma is already flirting with the bubble, but a loss to Oklahoma State could push them to the Last Four In.

Frank’s pick: Oklahoma -1.5

Virginia Tech @ Pitt: 5:30 CW

Both of these teams are under consideration, with lots of work to do to earn an at-large bid. Virginia Tech is coming off a thrashing of Virginia, while Pitt was decimated by Wake Forest on Tuesday. This is a must-win for both teams. It is an especially big opportunity for Virginia Tech, as a Q1 win would likely raise them to the Next Four Out.

Frank’s pick: Pittsburgh -3.5

Texas @ Kansas: 6:00 ESPN

Texas could put itself in a good spot with a signature win at Allen Fieldhouse. With a loss, the Longhorns will be squarely on the bubble. Meanwhile, Kansas will look to improve their case for a 1 seed come March.

Frank’s pick: Texas +7.5

Villanova @ UConn: 8:00 FOX

After a loss at Creighton, UConn will need to bounce back to maintain a path to the number 1 overall seed in the tournament. Conversely, Villanova is currently sitting around the cutline. A win at UConn would certainly push them into the field, possibly with some breathing room.

Frank’s pick: UConn -12.5

Texas A&M @ Tennessee: 8:00 ESPN

Texas A&M is on the wrong side of the bubble following a fourth Q3 loss, losing to Arkansas earlier this week. A win at Tennessee would likely get them back into the field. Meanwhile, Tennessee is one of several teams with a path to a 1 seed and could continue to make that case with a win tonight. Additionally, the Volunteers are still in contention for the SEC regular season title.

Frank’s pick: Tennessee-10.5

Butler @ Seton Hall: 8:30 FS2

Two bubble teams square off tonight in an extremely important Big East battle. Butler could add a Q1 win here to get back near the cutline. On the other side, Seton Hall will look to push themselves into the field.

Frank’s pick: Seton Hall -3.5

Utah @ Colorado: 9:00 Pac-12 Network

Both these teams are on the wrong side of the bubble heading into this matchup. With a Q1 win tonight, Utah could push itself back into the field. Meanwhile, Colorado has a lot of work to do to get to the right side of the bubble. A win on their home court against Utah would be an important first step.

Frank’s pick: Colorado -5.5