Stock Watch:

ACC

Stock UP:

Pittsburgh - North Carolina comes to mind because this writer believes they’re about to their stride but let’s go with Pittsburgh. The Panthers have quietly worked back in the bubble picture. Pittsburgh has a few big wins in recent weeks including victories over Notre Dame and UNC. Jaime Dixon and company have a favorable schedule down the stretch as well with games against Boston College, Wake, and Florida St. Pittsburgh will also have a huge bubble tilt in a couple weeks when they welcome Miami into town.

Stock DOWN:

Louisville - The Cardinals are starting to struggle at the wrong time and to make things worse the team’s leading assist man and third leading scorer, Chris Jones, was kicked off the team due to an off the court incident. Louisville simply does not have the scorers on their team to make any kind of run in March. They squeaked out a one point victory over Georgia Tech which was big because they end the season with games against Notre Dame and Virginia. Louisville is in a battle with UNC to see who will earn a double bye in the ACC tournament.

Big Ten

Stock UP:

Michigan St - Tom Izzo has his team playing good basketball at the right now. About a month ago this team was no sure thing for the NCAA tournament but it seems like they’ve found their way. The Spartans, who have won four straight games, have now found themselves in a virtual tie for second place in the Big Ten. The stretch run will be key for the seeding of Michigan St. They still have road games at Wisconsin and Indiana as well as an important home tilt against the improved Purdue Boilermakers.

Stock DOWN:

Ohio State - The Buckeyes were starting to look like a very dangerous team led by freshman phenom D’Angelo Russell. The main problem with Ohio St is they cannot get a quality road or neutral victory. Their best win away from Columbus was against Minnesota which does not bode well for their tournament resume. Ohio St is coming off two straight losses to the Michigan schools but things do open up for them down the stretch. Their next three contests are against Nebraska, Purdue and Penn St before a huge finale against Wisconsin at home.

Big 12

Stock UP:

Iowa St - Hilton magic baby! Due to a couple losses by Kansas the Cyclones find themselves just a ½ game behind the Jayhawks for the Big 12 lead. The knock on Iowa St is that they could not win away from Hilton but that has not been the case lately. Iowa St has won back to back games on the road against Oklahoma St and Texas. Iowa St has a very real chance to win the Big 12 because their schedule is somewhat favorable down the stretch. Their home games are difficult with Baylor and Oklahoma on the slate but they do not lose at Hilton. Iowa St has a real chance to end the Jayhawks reign as Big 10 champions.

Stock DOWN:

Kansas - Could this be the year Kansas does not win the Big 12 regular season title? They have won it 11 straight years but thinks are not looking great for Kansas. A couple weeks ago it looked like they were a lock to win their 12th in a row but things have changed. Kansas does not lose at Phog Allen so the games against Texas and West Virginia at home do not concern me but the season finale at Oklahoma does. The bigger problem for Kansas though is the production of their team. Cliff Alexander has been a complete non-factor the last couple weeks and it seems like this team has hit their ceiling.

SEC

Stock UP:

Ole Miss - The Rebels have won have won 8 of their last 9 games and will make the NCAA tournament barring a complete collapse. Andy Kennedy has done a great job with this team considering their non-conference struggles losing to Charleston Southern, Western Kentucky and TCU. The Rebels also gave Kentucky their biggest scare this year taking the Wildcats to overtime in Lexington.

Stock DOWN:

Georgia - The Bulldogs seem to find themselves on the NCAA bubble year in and year out. It looked like they were in solid position a couple weeks ago but things have gotten a little more interesting in Athens. Georgia lost two bad brutal home games a week ago against South Carolina and Auburn, but has since responded with an overtime win at Alabama. Georgia has a couple huge games down the stretch including their next game at Ole Miss. The biggest opportunity for the Georgia? Kentucky, who comes to town March 2nd.

Big East

Stock UP:

St. John’s - The Johnnies have won 5 of 6 and are inching closer to their first NCAA bid since 2011. This a senior led bunch that includes Phil Greene, D’Angelo Harrison, and Sir Dom Pointer. They seem to be playing inspired ball since taking a stumble in mid to late February. St John’s is in the midst of a three game home stand that ends with a huge game on Saturday against Georgetown. Let’s also not forget that the Big East tournament is on St. Johns home court.

Stock DOWN:

Butler - The Bulldogs have not been playing good basketball since losing Andrew Chrabascz to a hand injury. They’ve lost two of three with their only win being a squeaker against Creighton. Butler lost a huge opportunity to get another marquee win when Villanova came to their place. Butler should be in good position to make the NCAA tournament with games coming up against Marquette and DePaul but will need Chrabascz healthy if they want to win a game or two in the tournament.

Pac 12

Stock UP:

Oregon - The Ducks are playing themselves into the NCAA tournament field. Oregon has now won 6 of 7 including a huge win against Utah. The biggest problem for the Duck’s is that they have no more home games. They are right on the cusp right now and need to avoid any bad losses down the stretch. The road games are winnable but tough games. They close with game at California, at Stanford, and at Oregon St. Oregon St is much improved and that will be a huge bubble game against Stanford. Oregon will most likely need to win a couple games in the PAC 12 tournament.

Stock DOWN

Stanford - For most of the season the Cardinal have been comfortably in the field. Unfortunately for them this is no longer the case. Having lost 4 of 6, Stanford is right on the bubble and may be on the wrong side at this point. Their last two home games are this week and will most likely need to sweep the Oregon schools. The bad news for Stanford is they close the season at Arizona. Much like Oregon, Stanford will need to win a couple games in the PAC 12 tournament to enhance their resume.

Mid-Majors

Stock UP

Murray St - If you like to find a Cinderella in March, the Racers could be your team this year. They have one of the best players you’ve never heard of in guard Cameron Payne. Murray St has not lost since November 29th and are undefeated in conference play. Murray St has an outside shot at an-large but this writer recommends that they win their conference tournament. They could be a dangerous 12-13 seed in a couple weeks.

Stock Down

George Washington - George Washington may not be your prototypical mid major but this writer needed to find a place to write about them. George Washington made the NCAA tournament last year and had high hopes for this year. In fact, George Washington was in or near the being an NCAA tournament team for most of the year but they have fallen apart as of late. Having lost 6 of 7 it seems George Washington’s only chance at an NCAA Berth would be to win the A-10 tournament in Brooklyn next month.

VAVEL Logo
About the author