I Slept On It: Michigan Seizes Control Of Big Ten; SMU Grabs Needed Road Win

"I Slept On It" is Blogging the Bracket's nearly daily roundup of the previous night's college basketball action, with a bracketology focus.

American

SMU (22-6, 11-4) completed a season sweep of Connecticut (21-6, 9-5), by grabbing a vital road win over the Huskies in Storrs, 64-55. Nic Moore and Nick Russell led the Mustangs in scoring, with each netting 15, while Markus Kennedy scored 13 and grabbed seven rebounds.

ACC

It appears that Florida State (16-11, 7-8) might be interested in earning a bid after all. The Seminoles picked up a surprise 71-66 win at Pittsburgh (20-7, 8-6), who looks increasingly like they'll need to pack their road unis for the NCAAs.

Big East

Doug McDermott cracked the top 10 in the NCAA all-time scoring list, and Creighton (23-4, 13-2) needed all of his 29 points to defeat Seton Hall (14-13, 5-9). The Pirates were without point guard Sterling Gibbs, who was suspended for this one. Bryce Cotton, meanwhile, scored 28 to help push Providence (18-10, 8-7) past Butler (12-15, 2-13) in Indianapolis.

Big Ten

Michigan (19-7, 11-3) is now in the driver's seat in the Big Ten race, thanks to a 79-70 home victory Michigan State (22-6, 11-4) that honestly wasn't that close. Just like in East Lansing, Nik Stauskas (25 points), Caris LeVert (23), and Glenn Robinson III (15) led the way for the Wolverines. Gary Harris scored 21 for the Spartans, while Adreian Payne, who missed the rivals' first meeting, scored 12 and picked up 11 rebounds.

Nebraska (16-10, 8-6) won its fifth in a row, as it cruised past Purdue (15-12, 5-9), 76-57. Obviously, that's not a win that will help get the Huskers into the field, but a loss would have been devastating for their newfound chances.

Pac-12

Justin Cobbs scored 22 to lead California (18-9, 9-5) to a 77-64 win over USC (10-17, 1-13) that was far closer than the score indicated. Utah (18-9, 7-8) hammered Arizona State (19-8, 7-8), 86-63, the Sun Devils' second loss in a row. With the Utes' closing schedule, it's not inconceivable that they could make an unexpected late run at a bid. Meanwhile, Oregon (18-8, 6-8) overcame a seven-point halftime deficit at home against Washington State (9-18, 2-13) to win 67-53. A loss to the Cougars would have undoubtedly ended the Ducks' at-large chances.

Elsewhere

Bucknell (14-13, 9-7) helped tighten the Patriot race by defeating Boston U. (20-9, 13-3), 63-53. The Terriers lead American by a game in the standings.

Toledo (23-4, 11-3) and Western Michigan (18-8, 11-3) remain tied atop the MAC following wins over Ball State and Eastern Michigan, respectively.

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