Yesterday's disaster benefits those bubblers that play today

The Big East and the Big XII both have their semifinal games on the docket tonight, and you don't need me to tell you how good they will be. Kansas-Texas A&M, Baylor-Kansas State, Georgetown-Marquette, Notre Dame West-Virginia.

Eight good teams playing four very meaningful games. Its what March is all about.

But those games are played for glory; all eight teams are safely in the dance. Where it is going to get interesting tonight is on the bubble.

Why?

Because basically every team that was on the bubble last night lost. Washington picked up a win, which they needed, as did Florida. Georgia Tech won in such ugly fashion over UNC that it may have hurt their cause. The beneficiaries yesterday were Minnesota and San Diego State, who both won and inched that much closer to the top of the bubble.

So who can steal a bid today?:

2:00 pm: Illinois vs. Wisconsin: The Illini are a tough case. They have some good wins, but also have some really ugly losses which dropped their RPI into the 70's. But a win here would just about put Illinois into the dance.

2:30 pm: Rhode Island vs. St. Louis: The Rams and the Billikens got as much help as anyone with the disaster that was yesterday's bubble. Rhode Island has been terrible down the stretch of the season, but they are a win or two from earning a bid. St. Louis probably needs to make the finals of the A-10 if the do want to earn a bid,

3:15 pm: Tennessee vs. Ole Miss: The Rebels have wins over UTEP and Kansas State, but not much else. They are right on the cut line as of today, and a win today would all but put them into the tournament.

6:30 pm: Dayton vs. Xavier: Dayton seemingly cost themselves an at-large bid by losing so may close games this season, but the Flyers have had a chance open up. They also get a great opportunity to beat a good team that have already beaten this season. A win over Xavier may not be enough, but Dayton could get themselves into a much better spot.

7:00 pm: Georgia Tech vs. Maryland: The Yellow Jackets have struggled on the road, struggled mightily down the stretch, and looked bad in their win over UNC yesterday. Despite all of that, they can clinch a bid with a win over the Terps.

7:30 pm: Florida vs. Mississippi State: May not be a play-in game per se, but it is likely a play-out game.

8:55 pm: Minnesota vs. Michigan State: The Golden Gophers need to win this game for a chance, and may need another in the Big Ten semis. But they are still in the conversation.

9:00 pm: San Diego State vs. New Mexico: SDSU is in an interesting spot. Before yesterday's carnage, I would have said that the Aztecs likely needed to win this game to ensure a bid. But I'm not so sure anymore. They might be able to sneak in the back door if they look good in a loss, but their best bet would be to win this one and end all doubt.

11:30 pm: Stanford vs. Washington: The Huskies may very well be getting an at-large bid if they can beat Stanford tonight.