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This page will be frequently updated throughout Conference Tournament week with insights on how wins, losses, and upsets will affect the eventual tournament Bracket.
THURSDAY
BIG TEN — Minnesota outhit and came from behind to beat Ohio State 3-2 in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals on Thursday. From a postseason perspective, the Gophers are locked into an NCAA tournament berth and the win only betters their resume. From Ohio State’s perspective, a deeper run into the Big Ten tournament would certainly have helped, but the Buckeyes should still feel like they’re on solid footing heading into Selection Sunday. At a 43 RPI, but undoubtedly flying to a regional, the Buckeyes could be a 2-seed or a 3-seed in their eventual regional.
ASUNÂ — North Alabama upset Central Arkansas 2-0 on Thursday, the Bears’ first game of the ASun tournament. The double-elimination bracket means UCA will play at least once more before going home, but even games, much less losses, against lower-ranked RPI teams are something that the Bears can ill-afford despite their high RPI. UCA is safely in the NCAA tournament field, but where and in what position is still an unanswered question – and that answer could be answered based on their conference tournament showing.
SECÂ — Florida’s 6-2 win over Kentucky is the first of several necessary steps for the Gators if they hope to re-enter the conversation for a regional hosting bid. As it stands, the Gators are not close to being a regional host – they entered the day at #22 in the latest RPI. A win over similarly-ranked Kentucky will likely not move the needle for Florida, but it does add another quality win to the Gators’ resume. The loss doesn’t change Kentucky’s standing – the Wildcats are a 2-seed destined for a trip elsewhere outside of Lexington.
SUN BELTÂ — South Alabama bested James Madison 4-0 in the Jaguars’ opening game of the Sun Belt tournament on Thursday. For South Al, every win slightly betters their NCAA tournament resume – absent USA’s best-case scenario of winning the conference tournament, a rematch against the Ragin Cajuns in the tournament final could put the Jags in a more serious conversation within the tournament selection room.