Tuesday's Pregame Beat: Bubbliciousness

9:00 pm: Michigan State @ Minnesota: The bubble implications of this game are, in a word, enormous. Minnesota has lost five of their last six games and currently sit at 6-8 in the Big Ten, but with a favorable schedule down the stretch and some beat in their non-conference schedule, the Gophers still have time to turn this thing around. Losing on their home court to another bubble team, however, put a huge damper on those hopes.

Michigan State, on the other hand, has been one of the biggest disappointment of the college basketball season, but with a weak bubble, they still have a chance to make a run to the dance. Making this game all the more important for the Spartans is that they have not proven the ability to win on the road in league play. The Michigan State resurgence has been sparked by a now-healthy Kalin Lucas despite the continued struggles of Durrell Summers.

7:00 pm: Tennessee @ No. 18 Vanderbilt: The Vols have lost four of their last five games and are inching closer and closer to the bubble's cut line. A good way to change your tournament outlook is by knocking off a top 25 team on the road. Scotty Hopson has been terrific the last two games, but Tennessee lost despite his 32 points on Saturday.

7:00 pm: Illinois @ No. 3 Ohio State: The night's third huge bubble game features the Illini, who have fallen off precipitously in Big Ten play, losing seven of their last 11 games. Illinois also has to travel to Purdue later in the season, which puts them in a really tough spot. Will 9-9 in the Big Ten be good enough to make the tournament? Bruce Weber's club might have to hope it is. Neither Ohio State or Purdue has lost at home this season. Interesting stat -- the Illini were shooting 64% from three after three conference games. Since then, they have shot just 32%.

7:00 pm: Virginia Tech @ Wake Forest: Also worth a mention because of the bubble implications. This is a game that the Hokies absolutely cannot afford to lose if they want to break their string of being on the wrong side of the bubble come Selection Sunday.

Other Notable Games

• 8:00 pm: Iowa State @ No. 5 Texas
• 9:00 pm: No. 16 Louisville @ Rutgers
• 7:00 pm: Ole Miss @ South Carolina
• 7:00 pm: La Salle @ Xavier
• 9:00 pm: Houston @ Memphis