Which team helped its tournament chances the most Wednesday?
As we inch closer to March, teams are running out of time to bolster their cases for the NCAA tournament. Wednesday, though, produced several eye-catching wins that could help bubble teams qualify.
So who helped their tournament case the most?
5) Vanderbilt
Defeated Tennessee 67-56
With 13 losses, the Commodores needed to beat the Volunteers on Wednesday to have any hope.
They did just that, and, more importantly, handed Tennessee its 13th loss. This at least gives Vanderbilt hope that a strong finish will give it an outside shot at extending its campaign.
4) Providence
Defeated No. 23 Creighton 68-66
Providence already has 11 losses, but its making a late push for a tourney spot.
The Friars have won three straight, including two over ranked opposition in Creighton and Butler. While those victories will help the cause, those are Providence's only wins over ranked opponents on the season, and both teams weren't even in the top 20.
3) Seton Hall
Defeated Xavier 71-64
Seton Hall's win was crucial because it helped them keep pace with Providence in the quest to earn a tournament opportunity.
The Pirates also own a recent victory over ranked Creighton and defeated the Friars 72-70 in their last meeting. They have one fewer loss than Providence, as well, and as long as they hold serve the rest of the way, Seton Hall should have the better case.
2) Minnesota
Defeated No. 24 Maryland 89-75
Minnesota moved to 21-7 after defeating Maryland, but wins on its schedule that jump out at you are few and far between. The Gophers needed that win in a big way for two reasons:
First off, Richard Pitino and Co. needed an additional signature road win. Secondly, the Gophers were lacking in wins over ranked opponents.
This victory was only the second over a ranked team this year, with the other coming against Purdue. Put those two wins together, and now Minnesota will have a good claim to being one of the 68.
1) Syracuse
Defeated No. 10 Duke 78-75
The Orange came into Wednesday's showdown losers of three straight games and dangerously close to falling out of the conversation altogether, but one shot changed everything.
John Gillon's buzzer-beater lifted Syracuse to its third win over a top-10 opponent in the last month, and although the Orange still have 12 losses, their resume might now be more impressive than any other bubble team. If Jim Boeheim and company can knock off No. 7 Louisville on Sunday, it will be hard to justify keeping them out of the tournament.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)