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Late Night Snacks: Bad night for bubble teams

Jarrod Polson Julius Mays Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Kentucky guard Jarrod Polson (5) and Kentucky guard Julius Mays (34) react as Georgia guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) celebrates after a 3-point basket as time expired during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Athens, Ga., Thursday, March 7, 2013. (AP Photo/The Athens Banner-Herald, AJ Reynolds) MAGAZINES OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT; TV OUT

AP

Game of the Day: Florida State 53, Virginia 51

This wasn’t the prettiest of basketball games but it did supply what seems to be a predictable outcome when Florida State has the ball and the chance to win in the final seconds. That’s Michael Snaer time, as his three-point play with 4.4 seconds remaining proved to be the difference in Tallahassee.

The result means more for Virginia, who has now lost at both Boston College and Florida State after knocking off Duke in Charlottesville last Thursday. The Cavaliers host Maryland in their regular season finale, and as a result of their last two losses Tony Bennett’s team will arrive in Greensboro for the ACC tournament next week with a solid amount of work to do if they’re to get back to the NCAA tournament.

Important Outcomes

1. No. 10 Michigan State 58, No. 22 Wisconsin 43

The Spartans ended their three-game losing streak in East Lansing, and the hope among Michigan State fans has to be that the win will also be a step in the right direction for point guard Keith Appling. Appling scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half, and while he dished out just one assist the junior did not register a single turnover. Michigan State’s win guarantees Indiana the top seed in next week’s Big Ten tournament, and the Spartans remain a game behind the Hoosiers as they hope to grab a share of the regular season crown.

2. Georgia 72, Kentucky 62

Multiple bubble teams suffered damaging defeats on Thursday and the young Wildcats were one of them, as they lost at Georgia by ten. Kentucky didn’t come out with the energy required to win on the road and it cost them, as John Calipari’s team was unable to overtake the Bulldogs in the second half. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 24 points to lead Mark Fox’s squad, which is now 9-8 in SEC play. Kentucky drops to 11-6, and their home game against No. 11 Florida on Saturday becomes even more important due to Thursday’s disappointing result.

3. New Mexico State 78, Louisiana Tech 60

The Bulldogs’ 18-game win streak came to a screeching halt in Las Cruces, and the result likely ended Louisiana Tech’s chances of grabbing an at-large bid should they not win the WAC tournament. Louisiana Tech did force 17 NMSU turnovers but overall the defense that has been a staple for Michael White’s team all year long failed to show up. The Aggies shot 54.7% from the field and Daniel Mullings was all over the box score, finishing with 23 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three assists to lead New Mexico State.

Starred

1. F Stan Okoye (VMI) and F Michael Kessens (Longwood)

These two forwards were outstanding in the Big South quarterfinal between the Keydets and Lancers, which was won by VMI due in part to Okoye’s 31 points and nine rebounds. Kessens scored 36 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead Longwood in a losing effort.

2. G Josh Greene (Cal State Northridge)

The Matadors won’t qualify for the Big West tournament but that didn’t matter as they beat Hawaii 88-75 with Green accounting for 37 points and six assists.

3. G Corey Hawkins (UC Davis)

Hawkins, who went off for 40 points and 12 rebounds in a win at Hawaii earlier this season, shot 12-of-19 from the field and scored 34 points (seven rebounds as well) in the Aggies’ 77-76 loss to Long Beach State.

4. F Xavier Johnson (Colorado)

The Buffaloes were without the services of leading rebounder Andre Roberson but Johnson was one reason why his absence didn’t hurt Colorado, as he shot 7-of-7 and scored 22 points in a 76-53 win over No. 19 Oregon.

Struggled

1. G Jontel Evans (Virginia)

Rough night in Tallahassee for Evans, who scored two points on 1-of-8 shooting and dished out two assists in the Cavaliers’ 53-51 loss at Florida State.

2. F Alex Poythress (Kentucky)

Poythress played just 19 minutes before fouling out in Kentucky’s 72-62 loss at Georgia, finishing with four points (1-of-3 FG), four rebounds and three assists. The Wildcats can’t afford for Poythress to have games in which he attempts just three shots.

3. G Chaz Williams (Massachusetts)

For UMass to have a shot at beating a team the caliber of Butler, Williams has to be the best player on the floor. Williams dished out eight assists and tallied four steals but also turned the ball over five times, scoring eight points on 2-of-9 shooting. Butler won, 73-62.

4. F/C Jared Berggren (Wisconsin)

Berggren shot 2-of-9 from the field in Wisconsin’s 58-43 loss to Michigan State, finishing with six points, seven rebounds and four turnovers.

Top 25 Scores

No. 10 Michigan State 58, Wisconsin 43
Colorado 76, No. 19 Oregon 53

Raphielle also writes for the NBE Basketball Report and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.