Someone's MISSing the Tourney

Not only is it an underrated and fierce rivalry, tonight in Starkville we might be watching a virtual elimination game when Ole Miss travels to Mississippi State.  With the middling play in the SEC West (and odd emergence of Arkansas) it is looking more and more likely that only one team from that half of the conference is going to the Big Dance.

Ole Miss's resume pre-conference is stronger; Mississippi State has already beaten the Rebels on their home floor.  If Ole Miss can't return the favor tonight, they likely find themselves on precarious bubble footing.

On the left coast, if you still have any patience or remote interest at all in Pac10 basketball, you'll get a rare opportunity to watch the best they have to offer tonight on ESPN.  East coast bias?  Heck, they even bumped them up to 9EST for us Easterner's convenience.  Say "thank you ESPN."

Cal (15-8) and Washington (16-7) both entered the season ranked in the Top 15 in the country.  Not to state the obvious, but both have dissapointed immensely.  Washington's non-conference profile isn't quite as brutal as the general Pac10 perception (losses to Tx Tech & G'Town, wins over Portland and Texas A&M).  Cal's isn't terrible either (losses to Ohio State, Syracuse, New Mexico and Kansas, wins over Iowa State and Murray State...ok, not very good resume...).  To be honest, all derision aside, Cal is likely an at-large team if the tourney was tomorrow and Washington really isn't so far gone to at least be in the discussion. 

Both have played better of late, and IF the Pac10 were to sneak in two teams, Washington would have to run the table from here on out.  The problem?  They can't win on the road.  As in, CAN'T WIN on the road.  They are 0-4 in conference play and did not win (or even attempt to more than once!) a single non-conference game away from home either. 

Tonight's game is at Cal...

MANIAC'S PICKS:

Ole Miss +5

Cal -5

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