USA TODAY: Five college basketball teams with momentum
Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 9:36 pm► Minnesota (22-7, 10-6 Big Ten): After losing five in a row in January and floating around the NCAA tournament bubble, the Gophers went 7-0 in February. That streak hasn't put Richard Pitino's team in the top 25, but there's still a chance — if Purdue and Wisconsin buckle — that the Gophers win a share of the Big Ten, or perhaps take the weaker-than-usual conference's best seed in the Dance. Big man Reggie Lynch had 11 blocks in Minnesota's win vs. Penn State.
► Michigan (19-10, 9-7 Big Ten): Another Big Ten team getting hot and playing itself off the bubble, the Wolverines have won five of six and are playing fantastic basketball. In their latest win in which they snapped league leader Purdue's six-game winning streak, Michigan clearly looked like the better team, containing national player of the year candidate Caleb Swanigan.
► Southern Methodist (25-4, 15-1 AAC): With the Larry Brown era in the rearview, Tim Jankovich has the Mustangs on an 11-game winning streak and poised to win the American Athletic Conference. SMU essentially starts five guards and uses an unconventional style that make it a dangerous team for the tournament.
► Oklahoma State (20-10, 9-8 Big 12): Heading into Tuesday, new coach Brad Underwood's Cowboys had won 10 of 11 to help negate a 0-6 start in Big 12 play. Jawun Evans averages 18.2 points and 6.0 assists a game.
► Miami (Fla.) (20-9, 10-7 ACC): Before Monday's loss to Virginia Tech, Miami was rolling — winning six of seven to get off the bubble — in an ACC that has featured 13 of 15 teams in consideration for tournament bids. In wins against Virginia and Duke, the Hurricanes showed they can compete with anyone. That notion was also punctuated in an earlier Jan. 28 15-point win against North Carolina.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... /98593080/
► Michigan (19-10, 9-7 Big Ten): Another Big Ten team getting hot and playing itself off the bubble, the Wolverines have won five of six and are playing fantastic basketball. In their latest win in which they snapped league leader Purdue's six-game winning streak, Michigan clearly looked like the better team, containing national player of the year candidate Caleb Swanigan.
► Southern Methodist (25-4, 15-1 AAC): With the Larry Brown era in the rearview, Tim Jankovich has the Mustangs on an 11-game winning streak and poised to win the American Athletic Conference. SMU essentially starts five guards and uses an unconventional style that make it a dangerous team for the tournament.
► Oklahoma State (20-10, 9-8 Big 12): Heading into Tuesday, new coach Brad Underwood's Cowboys had won 10 of 11 to help negate a 0-6 start in Big 12 play. Jawun Evans averages 18.2 points and 6.0 assists a game.
► Miami (Fla.) (20-9, 10-7 ACC): Before Monday's loss to Virginia Tech, Miami was rolling — winning six of seven to get off the bubble — in an ACC that has featured 13 of 15 teams in consideration for tournament bids. In wins against Virginia and Duke, the Hurricanes showed they can compete with anyone. That notion was also punctuated in an earlier Jan. 28 15-point win against North Carolina.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nc ... /98593080/