Men's college basketball 2020-21

[InThe313]

Did you guys miss college basketball?  Yeah, I know I did.  This March felt empty without the NCAA Tournament, but after an exciting albeit shortened season, we should be in for an exciting season of college basketball.  The season will get going this morning in Estero, Fla., and in Tampa, Fla.  I've got the Opening Day schedule right here, so feel free to look and see if your favorite team is in action today.

East Tennessee State Buccaneers at Abilene Christian Wildcats this morning at 11:30 a.m. in the Gulf Coast Showcase
Florida College Falcons at South Florida Bulls this morning at 11:30 a.m.
Limestone Saints at James Madison Dukes today at 12 p.m.
Fort Lauderdale Eagles at FIU Panthers today at 12 p.m.
McNeese State Cowboys at Nebraska Cornhuskers today at 12 p.m.
George Washington Colonials at Navy Midshipmen today at 12 p.m. in the Veterans Classic
Radford Highlanders at Virginia Tech Hokies today at 12 p.m.
Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers at Morgan State Bears today at 12 p.m.
Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Xavier Musketeers today at 12 p.m. in the Xavier Invitational
Keene State Owls at New Hampshire Wildcats today at 1 p.m.
Florida National Conquistadors at Georgia Southern Eagles today at 1 p.m.
Trevecca Nazarene Trojans at Lipscomb Bisons today at 1 p.m.
Drexel Dragons at Penn State Nittany Lions today at 1 p.m.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Miami (Ohio) RedHawks today at 1 p.m.
Stony Brook Seawolves at Bryant Bulldogs today at 1 p.m.
UNC Wilmington Seahawks at Western Carolina Catamounts today at 1 p.m.
North Georgia Nighthawks at Mercer Bears today at 1 p.m.
Prairie View A&M Panthers at Little Rock Trojans today at 1 p.m. in the Wade Houston Tipoff Classic
Virginia Cavaliers at Towson Tigers today at 1:30 p.m. in the Bubbleville
North Carolina A&T Aggies at Illinois Fighting Illini today at 2 p.m.
Illinois State Redbirds at Ohio State Buckeyes today at 2 p.m.
Southern Wesleyan Warriors at USC Upstate Spartans today at 2 p.m.
Appalachian State Mountaineers at South Carolina State Bulldogs today at 2 p.m.
Old Dominion Monarchs at Maryland Terrapins today at 2 p.m.
Akron Zips at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders today at 2 p.m. in the Gulf Coast Showcase
Middle Georgia State Knights at Troy Trojans today at 2 p.m.
Fairfield Stags at Providence Friars today at 2 p.m.
Memphis Tigers at Saint Mary's Gaels today at 2 p.m. in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic
Drake Bulldogs at Kansas State Wildcats today at 2 p.m. in the Little Apple Classic
Lamar Cardinals at Houston Cougars today at 3 p.m.
North Dakota State Bison at Nevada Wolf Pack today at 3 p.m. in the Golden Window Classic
Northwest Eagles at Oregon State Beavers today at 3 p.m.
Piedmont Lions at The Citadel Bulldogs today at 3 p.m.
Toledo Rockets at Bradley Braves today at 3 p.m. in the Xavier Invitational
Alcorn State Braves at UAB Blazers today a 3:30 p.m.
North Carolina Central Eagles at Iowa Hawkeyes today at 4 p.m.
Bowling Green Falcons at Michigan Wolverines today at 4 p.m.
Culver-Stockton Wildcats at Kansas City Roos today at 4 p.m.
UMass Lowell River Hawks at San Francisco Dons today at 4 p.m. in the Bubbleville
Tusculum Pioneers at Furman Paladins today at 4 p.m.
Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at Quinnipiac Bobcats today at 4 p.m.
UMBC Retrievers at Georgetown Hoyas today at 4 p.m.
Delaware State Hornets at Wake Forest Demon Deacons today at 4 p.m. in the Mako Medical Wake Forest Classic
Oklahoma State Cowboys at UT Arlington Mavericks today at 4 p.m.
Carver Cougars at Kennesaw State Owls today at 4 p.m.
Evansville Purple Aces at Louisville Cardinals today at 4 p.m in the Wade Houston Tipoff Classic
Gannon Golden Knights at Buffalo Bulls today at 4:30 p.m.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Northern Iowa Panthers today at 4:30 p.m. in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic
Simpson RedHawks at San Jose State Spartans today at 5 p.m.
Idaho Vandals at Seattle Redhawks today at 5 p.m, in the U.S. Bank Pilot Invitational
Columbus State Cougars at Georgia Bulldogs today at 5 p.m.
Austin Peay Governors at Omaha Mavericks today at 5 p.m. in the Gulf Coast Showcase
UC Riverside Highlanders at Pacific Tigers today at 5 p.m.
Utah Valley Wolverines at Stanford Cardinal today at 5 p.m.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels at North Florida Ospreys today at 5:30 p.m. in the Mako Medical Wolfpack Invitational
Morehead State Eagles at Kentucky Wildcats tonight at 6 p.m. in the Bluegrass Showcase
Eastern Michigan Eagles at Michigan State Spartans tonight at 6 p.m.
College of Charleston Cougars at North Carolina Tar Heels tonight at 6 p.m.
Ball State Cardinals at Northern Kentucky Norse tonight at 6 p.m.
William Jessup Warriors at Fresno State Bulldogs tonight at 6 p.m.
Western Michigan Broncos at Butler Bulldogs tonight at 6 p.m.
Liberty Flames at Purdue Bolilermakers tonight at 6 p.m. in the Space Coast Challenge
Coppin State Eagles at Marshall Thundering Herd tonight at 6 p.m.
Toccoa Falls Screaming Eagles at Wofford Terriers tonight at 6 p.m.
Merchant Marine Mariners at Army Black Knights tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Oakwood Ambassadors at North Alabama Lions tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Coker Cobras at South Carolina Gamecocks tonight at 6:30 p.m.
UC Irvine Anteaters at Pepperdine Waves tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Northwestern State Demons at Texas Tech Red Raiders tonight at 7 p.m.
Arizona State Sun Devils at Rhode Island Rams tonight at 7 p.m. in the 2K Empire Classic
Sacred Heart Pioneers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights tonight at 7 p.m.
Colorado State Rams at California Golden Bears tonight at 7 p.m.
Westmont Warriors at Cal State Northridge Matadors tonight at 7 p.m.
Coastal Georgia Mariners at Jacksonville Dolphins tonight at 7 p.m.
Hofstra Pride at Monmouth Hawks tonight at 7 p.m.
Green Bay Phoenix at Minnesota Golden Gophers tonight at 7 p.m.
North Carolina Wesleyan Battling Bishops at Elon Phoenix tonight at 7 p.m.
St. Andrews Knights at VMI Keydets tonight at 7 p.m.
Florida Atlantic Owls at South Alabama Jaguars tonight at 7 p.m. in the South Alabama Tournament
Saint Francis Red Flash at Pittsburgh Panthers tonight at 7 p.m.
Southeastern Louisiana Lions at Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons tonight at 7 p.m.
Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders at Texas State Bobcats tonight at 7 p.m.
High Point Panthers at Davidson Wildcats tonight at 7 p.m.
Florida A&M Rattlers at Florida Gulf Coast Eagles tonight at 7 p.m.
Idaho State Bengals at Santa Clara Broncos tonight at 7 p.m. in the Bronco Invitational
Ohio Bobcats at Chicago State Cougars tonight at 7 p.m.
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles at Missouri Tigers tonight at 7 p.m.
UIC Flames at Northern Illinois Huskies tonight at 7 p.m.
Saint Peter's Peacocks at St. John's Red Storm tonight at 7 p.m. in The Lapchick Tournament
SIU Edwardsville Cougars at Saint Louis Billikens tonight at 7 p.m. in the Billiken Classic
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at Arkansas Razorbacks tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at Texas Longhorns tonight at 8 p.m.
Martin Methodist Red Hawks at Samford Bulldogs tonight at 8 p.m.
Dallas Christian Crusaders at Tarleton State Texans tonight at 8 p.m.
Charleston Southern Buccaneers at NC State Wolfpack tonight at 8 p.m. in the Mako Medical Wolfpack Invitational
Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Loyola Marymount Lions tonight at 8 p.m.
Sam Houston State Bearkats at SMU Mustangs tonight at 8 p.m.
Indiana State Sycamores at East Carolina Pirates tonight at 8 p.m. in the Gulf Coast Showcase
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Indiana Hoosiers tonight at 8 p.m.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Alabama Crimson Tide tonight at 8 p.m.
South Dakota Coyotes at Colorado Buffaloes tonight at 8 p.m. in the Little Apple Classic
UTSA Roadrunners at Oklahoma Sooners tonight at 8 p.m.
Houston Baptist Huskies at TCU Horned Frogs tonight at 8 p.m.
Central Connecticut Blue Devils at UConn Huskies tonight at 8 p.m.
Westminster Griffins at BYU Cougars tonight at 8 p.m.
Clemson Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs tonight at 8:30 p.m. in the Space Coast Challenge
Texas A&M International Dustdevils at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders tonight at 8:30 p.m.
Texas Southern Tigers at Washington State Cougars tonight at 9 p.m.
Texas-Permian Basin Falcons at UTEP Miners tonight at 9 p.m.
Grambling State Tigers at Grand Canyon Antelopes tonight at 9 p.m.
Adams State Grizzlies at Weber State Wildcats tonight at 9 p.m.
California Baptist Lancers at USC Trojans tonight at 9 p.m.
Georgia State Panthers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets tonight at 9 p.m.
Villanova Wildcats at Boston College Eagles tonight at 9:30 p.m. in the 2K Empire Classic
VCU Rams at Utah State Aggies tonight at 9:30 p.m. in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic
Montana State Bobcats at UNLV Runnin' Rebels tonight at 9:30 p.m.
Eastern Illinois Panthers at Wisconsin Badgers tonight at 10 p.m.
Nicholls Colonels at UC Davis Aggies tonight at 10 p.m. in the Silicon Valley Classic
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions at Marquette Golden Eagles tonight at 10 p.m.
Bethesda Flames at Sacramento State Hornets tonight at 10:05 p.m.
UCLA Bruins at San Diego State Aztecs tonight at 10:30 p.m.

Cancelled/Postponed Games

UMass Lowell River Hawks at Towson Tigers in the Bubbleville
Cal State Fullerton Titans at San Diego Toreros in the Husky Classic
Prairie View A&M Panthers at Northwestern Wildcats
Point Park Pioneers at Robert Morris Colonials
Iona Gaels at Fordham Rams
Baylor Bears at Arizona State Sun Devils in the 2K Empire Classic
Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs at Duke Blue Devils
South Dakota State Jackrabbits at Creighton Bluejays in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic
Charlotte 49ers at Tennessee Volunteers in the Volunteer Classic
Eastern Washington Eagles at Oregon Ducks
Central Arkansas Bears at Ole Miss Rebels in the Justin Reed Ole Miss Classic
Bellarmine Knights at Chattanooga Mocs
Jackson State Tigers at Arkansas State Red Wolves in the Justin Reed Ole Miss Classic
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Arizona Wildcats
Xavier Gold Rush at Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Colorado Christian Cougars at Denver Pioneers
Brescia Bearcats at Murray State Racers
Detroit Mercy Titans at Richmond Spiders in the Bluegrass Showcase
Wichita State Shockers at Utah State Aggies in the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic
Portland State Vikings at Washington Huskies in the Husky Classic

[InThe313]

Tonight marked the return of the annual clash of college basketball blue bloods on the Champions Classic and this year's games delivered.  No. 8 Michigan State upset No. 6 Duke, 75-69, while No. 7 Kansas beat No. 20 Kentucky, 65-62.

[InThe313]

Just because Maui was on the mainland this year doesn't mean it couldn't deliver an exciting finish!  No. 17 Texas’ Matt Coleman III hit a must-see game winner for the 69-67 upset over No. 14 North Carolina in the Maui Invitational final.

[InThe313]

What a thriller tonight in Milwaukee!  Marquette's Justin Lewis hit an unreal, must-see buzzer-beating shot to upset No. 4 Wisconsin, 67-65.

[InThe313]

I try to record ESPN's replay of Jim Valvano's speech from the 1993 ESPYs every year and this year, his words strike harder than ever.  Whatever ordeal you may going through right now, remember what Jimmy V said.  "Don't give up.  Don't ever give up."

[InThe313]

These guys are for real.  No. 1 Gonzaga beat No. 3 Iowa, 99-88, to become the third team to beat three AP Top 15 teams in its first four games of the season.

[InThe313]

How fitting is it that the Tournament is going to one the best college basketball hotbeds?  The NCAA will hold the entirety of the 2021 men's basketball tournament in Indiana, with most games taking place in Indianapolis and others in Bloomington, Ind., and West Lafayette, Ind.

[InThe313]

You couldn't write a better script than this.  On this date three years ago, No. 4 Texas found out Andrew Jones had cancer  Today, he capped a big-time personal comeback by hitting the game-winning three-pointer for a 72-70 win over No. 14 West Virginia.

[InThe313]

I hate breaking these stories.  Longtime Temple basketball head coach John Chaney died ay 89.  He won 741 games in 34 seasons with the Owls and Cheyney Wolves.

[InThe313]

If we're starting March off with two Top 10 showdowns like these, I can't wait for the NCAA Tournament.  No. 3 Baylor is playing No. 6 West Virginia right now.  At 7 p.m., No. 4 Illinois will meet No. 2 Michigan.  Updates to come.

Baylor beat West Virginia, 94-89, in overtime.
Illinois upset Michigan, 76-53.

[InThe313]

As per usual, there is a lot on the line in this game.  Duke is playing North Carolina.  The Blue Devils are in Joe Lunardi’s “first four out.”  The Tar Heels won the first meeting, 91-87.  Updates to come.

North Carolina beat Duke, 91-73.  The Blue Devils are locked in to start the ACC Tournament against Boston College on Tuesday in Greensboro, N.C.

[InThe313]

What a thriller today in Houston!  No. 9 Houston's Tramon Mark reminded us that it's March by nailing a wild off-balance fling from from just inside half court for a 67-64 win over Memphis.

[InThe313]

As much as I hate these guys, I don't want to see their bubble burst like this.  According to Stadium, the No. 10 Duke men's basketball team is out of the ACC tournament after a positive COVID-19 test within the program.  The Blue Devils will lose tonight's uncontested game against No. 2 Florida State.  Updates to come.

The Seminoles will play on Friday in Greensboro, N.C., against No. 6 North Carolina after the Tar Heels' 81-73 upset over No. 3 Virginia Tech.

[InThe313]

Get your tickets ready.  The NCAA men's tournament bracket is being revealed right now.  Updates to come.

UPDATE:  These names should come as no surprise.  The No. 1 seeds were announced for the NCAA tournament with Gonzaga in the West, Baylor in the South, Illinois in the Midwest and Michigan in the East.  The Bears will play Hartford on Friday in Indianapolis.  The Fighting Illini will play Drexel on Friday in Indianapolis.  This comes after the No. 2 Fighting Illini beat No. 5 Ohio State, 91-88, in overtime.

UPDATE 2:  Let's fill out the rest of the bracket, shall we?  Texas Southern will play Mount St. Mary's on Thursday in Bloomington, Ind., with the winner playing Michigan on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.  Drake will play Wichita State on Thursday in West Lafayette, Ind., with the winner playing USC on Saturday in Indianapolis.  Appalachian State will play Norfolk State on Thursday in Bloomington, Ind., with the winner playing Gonzaga on Saturday in Indianapolis.  UCLA will play Michigan State on Thursday in West Lafayette, Ind., with the winner playing BYU on Saturday in Indianapolis.  Virginia Tech will play Florida on Friday in Indianapolis.  Colgate will play Arkansas on Friday in Indianapolis.  Utah State will play Texas Tech on Friday in Bloomington, Ind.  Oral Roberts will play Ohio State on Friday in West Lafayette, Ind.  Georgia Tech will play Loyola (Ill.) on Friday in Indianapolis.  Oregon State will play Tennessee on Friday in Indianapolis.  Liberty will play Oklahoma State on Friday in Indianapolis.  Wisconsin will play North Carolina on Friday in West Lafayette, Ind.  Cleveland State will play Houston on Friday in Bloomington, Ind.  North Texas will play Purdue on Friday in Indianapolis.  Rutgers will play Clemson on Friday in Indianapolis.  Syracuse will play San Diego State on Friday in Indianapolis.  Morehead State will play West Virginia on Friday in Indianapolis.  Winthrop will play Villanova on Friday in Indianapolis.  Georgetown will play Colorado on Saturday in Indianapolis.  UNC Greensboro will play Florida State on Saturday in Indianapolis.  Eastern Washington will play Kansas on Saturday in Indianapolis.  St. Bonaventure will play LSU on Saturday in Bloomington, Ind.  UC Santa Barbara will play Creighton on Saturday in Indianapolis.  Iona will play Alabama on Saturday in Indianapolis.  Grand Canyon will play Iowa on Saturday in Indianapolis.  Maryland will play UConn on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.  Ohio will play Virginia on Saturday in Bloomington, Ind.  Missouri will play Oklahoma on Saturday in Indianapolis.  Abilene Christian will play Texas on Saturday in Indianapolis.  VCU will play Oregon on Saturday in Indianapolis.  Thsi comes after No. 2 Houston beat No. 5 Cincinnati, 91-54; the No. 1 Crimson Tide beat No. 3 LSU, 80-79; the No. 2 Raiders beat No. 9 Loyola (Md.), 85-72; and the No. 1 Bonnies beat the No. 2 Spiders, 74-65.

[InThe313]

Who's got their brackets set?  The first round of the NCAA Tournament starts today and I'lll be providing updates all day long.  Updates to come.

No. 3 Arkansas beat No. 14 Colgate, 85-68. to advance to play on Sunday in Indianapolis against No. 6 Texas Tech, who beat No. 11 Utah State. 65-53.
No. 1 Illinois beat No. 16 Drexel, 78-49, to advance to play on Sunday in Indianapolis against No. 8 Loyola (Ill.), who beat No. 9 Georgia Tech, 71-60.

UPDATE:  Now comes the part where I throw my head back and laugh.  No. 15 Oral Roberts upset No. 2 Ohio State, 75-72, to become the lowest seed to win an overtime game in the round of 64.  The Golden Eagles will play on Sunday in Indianapolis against No. 7 Florida, who beat No. 10 Virginia Tech, 75-70, in overtime.

No. 1 Baylor beat No. 16 Hartford, 79-55, to advance to play on Sunday in Indianapolis against No. 9 Wisconsin, who upset No. 8 North Carolina, 85-62.
No. 12 Oregon State upset No. 5 Tennessee, 70-56, to advance to play on Sunday in Indianapolis against No. 4 Oklahoma State, who beat No. 13 Liberty, 69-60.
No. 2 Houston beat No. 15 Cleveland State, 87-56, to advance to play on Sunday in Indianapolis against No. 10 Rutgers, who upset No. 7 Clemson, 60-56.
No. 13 North Texas upset No. 4 Purdue, 78-69, in overtime to advance to play on Sunday in Indianapolis against No. 5 Villanova, who beat No. 12 Winthrop, 73-63.
No. 11 Syracuse upset No. 6 San Diego State, 78-62, to advance to play on Sunday in Indianapolis against No. 3 West Virginia, who beat No. 14 Morehead State, 84-67.