Coppin St

It wasn't that long ago that many left the Pittsburgh Panthers for dead, as they were in the midst of what would eventually become an eight-game losing streak. A key factor in the struggles that Jamie Dixon's team experienced was the absence of point guard Tray Woodall, who was out with abdominal and groin injuries. Woodall's back now and he looks to be healthy as well, as he led Pittsburgh to a 72-66 win over rival West Virginia in Morgantown with 24 points, four rebounds and three assists on the night.

With the final month of regular season play just two days away, the focus turns to the resumes that teams have put together in hopes of being one of the 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament. While Frank Haith's Missouri (19-2, 6-2) has no such concerns at this point the team they visit on Monday night isn't in the same position. Rick Barnes' young Texas (13-8, 3-5) need to improve their resume and soon if they're to return to the NCAA Tournament.

Non-BCS Player of the Week

 

Luke Nevill – Utah

2 Games: 23 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2 bpg, 67% FG

 

 

 

I’ll go ahead and cave in to the NCAA’s wishes that people refer to Tuesday’s game between Coppin State and Mount St. Mary’s as the “Opening Round Game” instead of calling it what it really is: a play-in game. Do they really think that the losing team will feel like they actually took part in the NCAA Tournament when they’re at a site with only one other team present? No but credit the people of Dayton, Ohio for doing a good job with this game, because things could be a whole lot worse.

 

Coppin State Eagles

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (16-20, 7-9)

 

Big Wins: 2/23 Hampton (72-55), 3/12 vs Hampton (75-74), 3/15 vs Morgan State (62-60)

Favorite: Coppin St. Player of the Year: Jahsha Bluntt. Conference Rank: 30th

Capsules of teams ranked 131st to 144th in CHN's 144 Teams in 144 Days college preview.