Teams of the Day: Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Texas

Arkansas-Pine Bluff
12-14 (8-7 SWAC)

With a big road win by Texas, along with a home loss by bubble dweller Villanova, there were certainly better choices in regards to the NCAA Tournament. However, the finish that took place in Pine Bluff on Monday night is one that you just don't make up. After Marcelle Goins hit a shot from just inside of midcourt to get UAPB to overtime, some fans forgot that the goal is to win the game and not just send it into overtime (cue the Herm Edwards soundbite if you wish). Two technical free throws later, Texas Southern began the extra session with a 70-68 lead. After missing a couple of shots to win the game in overtime, UAPB fell 77-76. Looks like they could have used those two points after all.

Texas
24-4 (11-2 Big 12)
Computer numbers (courtesy of kenpom.com): RPI 5, SOS 3

Thanks to their win at Kansas State (74-65), maybe more people will talk about Texas being a one seed come NCAA Tournament time. Add this road win to earlier victories over Tennessee (neutral), UCLA (road) and Kansas (home), and you've got quite an impressive resume. And while many will focus on the 24 put up by D.J. Augustin and some timely three pointers by A.J. Abrams, don't ignore the 14-point, 7-rebound performance by Connor Atchley (6-6 from the field). The more the Longhorns can get from the likes of Atchley and Gary Johnson inside, the better this team will be in March.

On the clock: Ohio State. Winning at Indiana is always tough, but expect a charged atmosphere in the first IU home game post-Kelvin. And with OSU needing wins to bolster their NCAA Tournament hopes, that may not be a good thing.