The aftermath in numerous conference standings after a jam-packed College Basketball Saturday was shocking and predictable, all in the same light. This is the NCAA, of course. We have come to expect in-season plot twists. In particular, most of the conferences had an important “swing game” or two that will greatly affect their respected standings.
A “swing game” is any game that can flip a conference’s standings based on who wins the game, and can give the winner momentum in conference play. For example, if two middle of the pack teams are playing, then the winner will not only gain an advantage on its opponent, but momentum as well.
With Saturday hosting many of these swing games, it’s a good time to take a look at which could have the biggest impact on the long-term conference standings.
Key Games in an Eventful College Basketball Saturday
St. John’s (3-5) vs. Providence (6-3)
Winner: St. John’s, 75-66
This was a huge game for St. John’s in the Big East, and the win prevented themselves from having a bad 2-6 conference record. The Johnnies win also prevented Providence from gaining first place in the conference. The Friars are now sitting tied for fourth place with Seton Hall nipping at their heels.
St. John’s: Sir’Dominic Pointer, 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists.
Providence: Kris Dunn, 23 points, 4 rebounds, 10/16 from the field.
Xavier (5-5) vs. Seton Hall (5-4)
Winner: Seton Hall, 90-82
We’re going to stay in the Big East here, and what a game this was. Seton Hall avoided going under .500 in the conference, and they got freshman Isaiah Whitehead back from injury (19 points). Xavier missed a chance to move into the upper tier of the Big East, and with a pretty weak non-conference schedule, the Musketeers will have to get more conference wins if they want to get in the Big Dance.
Seton Hall: Sterling Gibbs, 22 points, 8 assists, 8/8 from the line.
Xavier: Jalen Reynolds, 17 points, 8 rebounds, 8/10 from the field.
Florida (5-3) vs. Arkansas (5-3)
Winner: Florida, 57-56
It’s easy to see why this game was so important just by looking at each team’s conference record. If Florida does not get two gimmie free throws at the end of the game (I thought it was a bad call, but that’s beside the point), then Arkansas would be tied for second place in the conference. Instead, Florida and Arkansas are in a six-way tie for third place in the SEC with LSU, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Tennessee.
Florida: Dorian Finney-Smith, 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists.
Arkansas: Bobby Portis, 21 points, 10 rebounds, 9/15 from the field.
Richmond (5-3) vs. #14 VCU (7-1)
Winner: Richmond, 64-55
This might not look like a huge swing in the Atlantic-10 on the outside, but if you heard anything about Briante Weber, then you know this was an unfortunately big day for VCU. Weber tore his ACL and MCL during the game, effectively ending his season. As a composed senior, and team leader, the Rams will miss him. Weber only needed 12 more steals to become the NCAA All-Time Leader.
Richmond: Kendall Anthony, 22 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds.
VCU: Treveon Graham, 18 points, 7 rebounds, 6/11 from the field.
#4 Duke (5-3) vs. #2 Virginia (7-1)
Winner: Duke, 69-63
This was not necessarily a “bad” loss for Virginia, they were going to lose in the ACC at some point, but it was a huge win for Duke. They side-stepped falling to 4-4 in the conference to keep themselves in the upper tier, but they also got a high quality road win. For such a young team, we should remember this win if the Blue Devils make a run in March.
Duke: Tyus Jones, 17 points, 4 assists, dagger three pointer.
Virginia: Malcolm Brogdon, 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists.
#24 Oklahoma (5-4) vs. Oklahoma State (4-5)
Winner: Oklahoma, 64-56
This was a BIG Big 12 game for each team. The winner would walk away above .500; the loser would be below .500. Before playing Oklahoma State, Oklahoma had lost four of its last six games. The Sooners really needed a win, and they got it. Oklahoma State will drop into the lower tier of a tough Big 12 conference with their loss.
Oklahoma: Ryan Spangler, 13 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists
Oklahoma State: Anthony Hickey Jr., 10 points and 8 rebounds.
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