10:30 Update: Win, Now Are They In?

What a great win by Maryland. Say what you will about Wake's shooting, and it was poor, but the Terps played some great defense tonight. They played their zone perfectly, confusing Jeff Teague, whose only solution was to try to draw as many fouls as he could. Meanwhile, Maryland attacked early and often, getting to the line over 20 times (compared to the two times the first time Maryland and Wake met). Vasquez continued his stellar play and Neal continued to be, somehow, the second best player on the team. It was great to see Milbourne and Mosley step up to have their first good games in what seems like a month. There's probably about a 75% chance Maryland is in the tournament now, but there will be a 100% chance they will be in if they get another victory tomorrow. 

Unfortunately, Baylor and Temple are doing all they can to take away at-large spots from Maryland and other bubble teams. This will in all likelihood be the last post of the day, so let's recap:

The Good

- (from earlier): Michigan State is making Minnesota sweat on the bubble; UNC eliminated Virginia Tech's at-large hopes; LSU did the same to Kentucky

- South Carolina suffered a crippling defeat at the hands of Mississippi State. The Gamecocks are all but out of at-large consideration now. It is looking more and more like the SEC will be a two-bid league, unless Florida sneaks in. 

- Memphis continues to roll through the Conference-USA tournament, beating Houston by 25. They play in the finals tomorrow. 

- Illinois beat Michigan, another game with huge implications. Michigan is considered by many to be in the NCAA tournament anyway, but when fellow bubble team Maryland has the head-to-head advantage, Michigan can't feel too good. 

The Bad

- Wisconsin couldn't hold off Ohio State in a typically ugly, slow-paced Big 10 game. Ohio State can now consider themselves to be a lock for the NCAA tournament. 

- Xavier choked and got upset by Temple. Not only is Temple definitely in the conversation for an at-large bid, but they have a good chance to automatically qualify, as they play in the A-10 title game tomorrow. Bubble teams everywhere were counting on the Atlantic 10 to be a two-bid league, but Temple is doing it's best to make sure it gets to 3. 

- Baylor wasn't even on my radar, but they play in arguably the most important game of tomorrow for Terp fans (besides the Maryland game itself). If Baylor does in fact win the Big 12 title game, there's another bid lost, and Maryland's chances may drop from about 75 to 50%. 

Still in progress

- BYU needs to beat San Diego State so they can end State's bubble chances and make sure nobody but them or Utah wins the MWC tournament, but they are down three.

- Utah State is down by one point to New Mexico State; if Utah State were to lose, they would be on the bubble, and may take Maryland's place. 

- Duquesne is making bubble teams' fans nauseous. They are up double digits with a little over two minutes left against Dayton. Dayton's going to get in, so the A-10 has become a 3-bid league. If Duquesne can beat Temple tomorrow, it may even get talked up as a 4-bid league. 

- Finally, for a piece of good news: Purdue is stomping on Penn State, which should be enough to kick Penn State out of serious bubble contention. As I write this, I see Purdue actually just beat Penn State. 

- Florida-Auburn is a one point game at the half. If Auburn were to win and then lose their next game, it is a distinct possibility the SEC would only send LSU and Tennessee. 

Later Tonight

- Root for UCLA to squash USC's bubble and Utah to beat Wyoming to get to the MWC title game.