Friday’s bubble games went far better than Thursday’s for Syracuse, with California, Kansas State, Houston, Indiana and TCU all losing. The only slight damage done to SU’s bubble hopes was Rhode Island cruising past St. Bonaventure, but some bracketologists still say the Rams need another win or two to earn a place in the field of 68.

Here are Saturday’s games Syracuse fans should keep an eye on, with which team to root for in each.

Alabama vs. No. 8 Kentucky, 1 p.m., ESPN

Kentucky won the first matchup between these two teams by nine and SU hopes the Wildcats cruise to the SEC finals again. Alabama is well outside the NCAA Tournament field right now and a Crimson Tide loss would quell any scare of stealing a bid to the Big Dance tomorrow afternoon.

Whom SU fans should root for: Kentucky

Davidson vs. Rhode Island, 1 p.m., CBS Sports Network

This is one of the most important games of the day for SU rooting interests, since the Rams’ win over St. Bonaventure yesterday still may not be enough to push them past the Orange, according to some experts. A win over surprise semifinalist Davidson may do just that, and an A-10 title officially would. Syracuse hopes URI doesn’t even get to Sunday.

Whom SU fans should root for: Davidson

Central Florida vs. No. 12 Southern Methodist, 3 p.m., ESPN2

The Mustangs are already a lock for the field of 68 and the Knights are an afterthought. Here’s another game that Syracuse hopes goes according to plan so a bid-stealer doesn’t emerge on the final day of conference tournaments.

Whom SU fans should root for: SMU

Vanderbilt vs. Arkansas, 3 p.m., ESPN

The Commodores might’ve put themselves firmly in the field after beating ranked Florida in the SEC quarterfinals, but Vandy still has 14 losses and a loss to the Razorbacks would give it more than Syracuse in a far inferior conference.

Whom SU fans should root for: Arkansas

Richmond vs. VCU, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network

This is probably the most important game of the day in terms of Syracuse rooting interests. VCU is the only team left in the A-10 tournament that is a lock for the NCAA Tournament, so the Orange hopes the Rams win the conference title. That starts with a win over Richmond, a team with conference player of the year T.J. Cline.

Whom SU fans should root for: VCU

Connecticut vs. No. 15 Cincinnati, 5 p.m., ESPN2

Here’s another game where SU should root against a bid-stealer. It may have felt unnatural pulling for the Huskies against Houston on Friday, but Orange fans should hope UConn doesn’t advance to the American Athletic Conference title game with a chance to swipe a bid.

Whom SU fans should root for: Cincinnati

Colorado State vs. Nevada, 6 p.m.

The Wolfpack is 27-6 on the season with a 14-4 record in the Mountain West. Bracketmatrix.com has Nevada as a No. 12 seed and winning its conference title, but it may get interesting if Colorado State steals a bid and Nevada still gets an at-large spot. This could be a two-bid league, but Syracuse should want a Wolfpack win to ensure it’s a one-bid conference.

Whom SU fans should root for: Nevada

Marshall vs. Middle Tennessee, 8:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network

The Blue Raiders are still the mid major with the best chance at scooping an at-large bid even if they don’t win the Conference USA title game. Syracuse hopes its Round of 32 foe from the 2016 NCAA Tournament makes things simple and takes care of the Thundering Herd.

Whom SU fans should root for: Middle Tennessee

Published on March 11, 2017 at 10:34 am

Contact Matt: mcschnei@syr.edu | @matt_schneidman